Alison
Hello there. I have been teaching Pilates for nearly 14 years now and I’m still on a journey really – of finding out more about Pilates, watching it evolve and incorporating the latest thinking into my teaching. I’m also finding out more about my body – what it can do, what it apparently can’t do and how I might be able to change that!
I’ve carried on studying over the years and in particular I have qualified to teach Pilates on the Reformer. This year I’m completing two further qualifications: one is to enhance my teaching and the repertoire of interventions I can use with clients, especially but not entirely in 1:1 settings – I will be a qualified Intrinsic Biomechanics coach. In addition, I’m training on two further pieces of Pilates studio equipment: The Wunda Chair and the Spine Corrector. We have them both in the Studio.
If you want to read about where I was up to in Pilates, circa January 2017 click here to go to the blog post.
I have a few other strings to my Exercise Instructor bow – I teach aerobics, Circuit Training, Chair Based Exercise and I’m a Gym Instructor. The latter, I no longer teach in the gym but I do make use of all my Strength Training knowledge when teaching, particularly in 1:1 teaching but also in group classes.
I came to exercise relatively late – only setting foot in a gym when I was 31 and have done other stuff. I have a Science background and trained and worked as a Nurse before doing a long stint in Office Admin.
I have two kids, the odd hobby (like a garden with too many weeds), too many wrinkles, a mild case of Menopause and a long list of things to do when I retire.
Selected Qualifications
Denise
I started doing Pilates when I was in my early 50s. I wanted to get rid of aches and pains and to lose weight. It worked!! I enjoyed Pilates so much that I was inspired to train as an instructor. I have now been qualified to teach Matwork Pilates for almost three years and since then I have continued to study, first to teach Pilates on the Reformer and currently to teach all of the Pilates studio equipment.
Since my discovery of Pilates I have developed a deep interest in all kinds of movement therapy. I love to use aspects of Feldenkrais and Somatics in my classes to enhance body awareness, improve movement patterns and to further tailor the sessions to my clients’ individual needs.
Denise teaches Matwork Classes, Reformer and 1:1 sessions.
Janet
Hello!! I’m Janet. I am an Extend and REPS level 3 qualified Exercise Instructor with over 7 years experience of successfully leading classes with older and less able participants.
Combining my love of dancing and movement and a desire to keep fit and to help others with their fitness, I work with various Voluntary Organisations in a range of community settings within and around Leeds. I use fun exercises and dance based movements and aim to encourage mobility, fitness, stamina and a sense of well being, all within a sociable and safe environment.
Janet teaches Chair Based Exercise.
Qualifications
Louise
Hello I’m Louise.
I’ve been practising Pilates since 2004 and qualified as a Level 3 Mat instructor in 2016. I’m a keen cyclist, and love to run and walk in the Yorkshire Dales. I’ve travelled the World and have been lucky enough to practise Pilates in New Zealand, Bali, Greece and closer to home, Brighton and Manchester. Backpacking gave me a host of wonderful experiences and memories along with a very sore back! I’ve practised Pilates to help me combat back pain and stay strong and flexible.
My main aim is to share the positive influences Pilates can have on your mind and body and demonstrate that Pilates is for everyone. I’m passionate about good posture, alignment and believe in the benefits of a strong and flexible spine and how this can benefit the rest of your body and the way you move.
See you on the mat!
Louise teaches Matwork and Back Care Classes.
Qualifications
Claire
I fell in love with Pilates from that day I walked into my first class.
Pilates has repaired a neck and shoulder injury whilst also improving my overall strength and flexibility.
Amazed at the results, I decided to train as a Pilates Instructor, to help others find the same benefits in their own bodies.
Pilates helps me to stay active in all parts of my life, whether it’s running, working out in the gym or looking after two children.
Having spent 15 years working in Financial Services , I understand the effects that long term sitting and working at a computer can have on our body and I am passionate about getting people moving about more during the working day.
I am a fully qualified mat level 3 Pilates Instructor, and can therefore teach from beginner level through to advanced. In addition I am qualified to teach High Intensity Pilates.
Qualifications
Lenna Rose
I have been teaching Mat Pilates since Spring 2016 and Barre Pilates since December 2016 and I have been practising Pilates since 2011. I knew from my first Pilates class that I would one day end up teaching it – it just clicked with me. I love that there is so much to know about Pilates and so much to know about the human body. I am constantly inspired to learn more, develop my knowledge and I try to make my classes offer different challenges and different exercises on a regular basis to keep them interesting and engaging.
My approach is to encourage people to move as naturally and functionally as possible and I take a lot of inspiration from functional movement methods and primal movement ideas. I see Pilates as a form of mindful movement as you have to focus the mind on making low intensity, fine movements which we generally do not take the time to think about. I believe this mindful movement is important for fostering a healthy relationship with the body and I will never focus my classes on changing the body to ‘improve’ the appearance or to burn calories. I believe movement is an important tool for mental wellbeing and body acceptance.
I am a bellydancer and dance with the Orientale Dance Company in Leeds. For this reason I enjoy the aesthetic beauty of many Pilates exercises as well as the attention to detail. I bring all of this to my classes and try to make them feel welcoming to people of all abilities and backgrounds.
Qualifications
Cristina González Hortigüela
All my life I have been involved with sports and dance. I began to train in rhythmic gymnastics when I was 6 years old, participating in competitions at the regional level with the team from my city. Later I started dancing in a ballet school and when I had to decide what to study at University, I chose what was most related to it and that was Sports Science at A Coruña University.
As part of my undergraduate studies I learnt about biomechanics, physiology and anatomy and these have been invaluable for my work as a Pilates Instructor. After university I returned to my study of dance and also Pilates. I found the Pilates technique was the ideal vehicle to use my knowledge from my dance background and my degree.
I certified in Pilates Mat in 2015 and in Reformer in 2016 and since then I have worked as a Pilates instructor. I believe in fluid and organic movement working with a sense of control and understanding of the body. It is my intention to convey a feeling of satisfaction from each exercise and to make it personal to the needs and abilities of each person.
Qualifications
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