I had a light bulb moment back in 2008 when I left my corporate life to pursue “something else”.  I have always been health conscious and after some soul searching I decided to retrain and become a Pilates Instructor and founded Shropshire Pilates and during lockdown, Live Pilates Online.

As an Instructor there is always something new to learn about the body and its movement and I like the challenge of developing my knowledge of the body and bringing about new ideas to clients. The feedback that instructing offers is very satisfying;  people’s body’s and lives change as a result of regular Pilates practice.  The class environment works well for most people and offers a social aspect too, which for most, is very important.

On the flip side, there is much to be learned and gained from working 1-1 with clients; looking at the minutiae of the workings of a person’s body and the challenge that rehabilitation presents, working towards specific training goals or with clients who have specific conditions.  

More recently I have fallen for the Hypopressives exercise technique and am now fully certified to teach Level 1 & 2.  Its a fantastic way to strengthen the global core system which includes the diaphragm, deep core muscles and pelvic floor.

My personal favourite activities for mind and body are walking, running, yin yoga, skiing and of course Pilates and Hypopressives.

Qualifications:

Training completed with PFE Training (formerly Modern Pilates) Pilates Matwork Level 3, Advanced Matwork, Pilates & Back Care, Pilates on the Ball, Pilates & the Older Adult, Neuro Pilates, Specialist Hip and Knee, Specialist Shoulder, Diagnostic Pilates: Postural Assessment and Shoulder Stability, Pelvic Floor.

Trained with Michael King: Pilates Reformer Stage One and Two, Pilates Barre Method, Qualified Yin Yoga Instructor.

Level 1 & 2 Fully Certified Hypopressives Instructor and a Member of the Global Hypopressives Alliance

My Pilates journey started when I sustained a back injury from dance when I was 14, since then, Pilates has played a big part in my overall health and fitness as well as putting me back on the right track after my injury.

After 2 years of attending regular Pilates classes (run by Wendy), I decided I wanted to understand more about the detail and technique involved, so I started my 6 month teacher training course in 2016. My training took place in Buckinghamshire at Pilates Point with Michael King Pilates.

Michael King himself has a strong link to dance, so for me this was an obvious choice. I completed my training in Mat work and have since been working with Wendy Joelson at Shropshire Pilates.

I have taken my training further since then: Barre Pilates, again with Michael King, EquiPilates with Lindsay Wilcox Read (including working with clients on and off horse, intrinsic biomechanics, and facial/muscle release work), Yin Yoga at White Space yoga studio and ongoing CPD’s including facial release using the prickle ball with Trigger Point Pilates.

Part of my EquiPilates training is the use of intrinsic biomechanics. It’s a wonderful tool to delve a little deeper into our body’s function and ‘why’ we move or struggle to move in the ways that we do.

Intrinsic biomechanics is helpful for everyone and I’ve found that using it, along with Pilates, Yin and facial release, works beautifully to help people active their physical and/or performance goals.

I have found Pilates and Yin yoga to be such a fantastic way to both strengthen and stretch my own body and feel it has bettered my personal performance in the sport and activities I enjoy, helped protect from and prevent injury and massively increased my awareness of posture and bad habits.

I think simply moving and bringing awareness to our bodies can be so beneficial to our overall health, wellbeing and performance (whether that be a high level of sport or simply tying your shoe laces), this is why I love teaching, helping people make the changes they want to see.

I came to Pilates looking for a solution to debilitating back pain which was the result of wear and tear over the years; big babies during pregnancy, poor posture, too much desk work and not taking enough care of my well-being.

A chiropractor suggested Pilates and I was amazed at how, within a couple of weeks, Pilates improved my condition tremendously to the point where I was almost pain free. I was astounded that movement and strength work (particularly core strength) had improved my health in such a short space of time. Not everyone has results as quickly, and each person’s health journey is unique, but I was thoroughly impressed!

Through regular Pilates I felt my body strengthen and I gained more freedom through my joints and muscles.  The breath work combined with movement brought a sense of calm and a realization that I wanted to make a change to my working life and to do something that brought me joy along with many health benefits.

I then started my teaching path in South Africa I trained with BASI as a Pilates Mat work Instructor (BASI: Body Arts & Science Institute). BASI are a highly reputable International School and are recognized worldwide for their expertise.

I opened and ran my own Pilates Studio in South Africa before emigrating to the United Kingdom two and a half years ago with my family; we are now settled in Shrewsbury.  I am South African born and raised in the hot coastal city of Durban.  The River Severn has a particular allure for me as I love to paddle board and be outdoors in nature.

After a short hiatus from Pilates, whilst we settled into the country, I am now finding my way back, and my Pilates teaching journey continues!