Original Pilates

Pilates is a method of exercise that stretches, strengthens, tones and balances the body. It is not only invaluable as an exercise regime itself but also important as a partner to professional sports training and all kinds of physical rehabilitation.

I trained as a dancer for 17 years during which time studied at the Arts Educational Schools in both Tring and London. However, when college was over I hurt my back causing injury to several discs and my pelvis and I could no longer perform the movements my body had always been used to doing. It was many years later that I remembered a conversation with my ballet teacher. She had been working in Canada in the 1980s and had been impressed by a system of exercise she had seen being taught there, called Pilates. At that point it was relatively unheard of in the UK.

I took my time to find a proper teacher. One who had been taught to instruct thoroughly and knew the original method of Pilates. Fortunately an American lady who had trained at The Pilates Studio in New York was living and working over here while her husband was stationed in the UK. From the first lesson, I was on the road to recovery. It was unbelievable. And that was it – I had to learn as much as I could for myself but also I had to learn to be able to teach it.

The Pilates Studio of New York had a vitally important link to Joseph Pilates and that was Romana Kryzanowska. She taught and trained there, working from all her years of experience and from “Joe’s” archive materials.

To qualify for the first part of the training, I had to complete 75 hours study in the Pilates studio. Next I went to Holland to attend a 12 day intensive taken by Romana. After completing this, I was allowed to go ahead with 600 hours of apprenticeship, with exams in the studio and on paper every 200 hours. This all had to be completed at a recognised Pilates Studio, so I spent 400 hours training in Holland and then went to New York City for the final 200 and the concluding exams. It was incredible to be taught and tested again by Romana and also her daughter Sari Mejia Santo. I qualified to teach at the end of September 2001.

To become an instructor through The Pilates Studio, you must learn to teach the FULL method, on all of the equipment. You qualify to teach the complete system, not just one or two aspects of it.

On returning to the UK I set up my own business, teaching people from all walks of life. Young and old, fit and unfit. I was lucky enough to be asked to teach the benefits of Pilates to the whole team at Worcestershire County Cricket Club and also individual players who played at County and International level. From this came the opportunity to work with the then physiotherapist for the England Cricket Team and he and the England and Wales Cricket Board sent players from England's team to see me.

I love my job. Seeing the difference Pilates makes to people mentally as well as physically is a joy and knowing that it works through my own participation is something I would love other people to experience too.