Our Instructors

Having been a physical education teacher for over 24 years I have always had a strong passion within the field of physiology, posture and performance.

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In 2015 I completed Level 3 diploma in teaching Pilates, ‘Modern Pilates’, with Cherry Baker. This form of Pilates offers clinical forms of exercise that work on developing balance throughout the body and building strong stable muscles that are also flexible and correctly aligned. I am a qualified Stott Pilates Reformer Instructor and am trained in Barre Pilates.

 

I have also completed workshops specialising in ‘specialist Pilates -Hip and knee’ and ‘ Neuro-Lates' -working with clients with MS and Parkinson’s disease.

After an accident resulting in a painful back injury I came across Pilates here at Natural Balance.  I had attended many Physio/Chiro and Osteopath appointments but unfortunately nothing seemed to take the pain away.  I decided I needed to take control back over my injury. After doing a series of one to one sessions I then started the Mat classes three times a week.  It was hard work but the commitment paid off.  

 

I was encouraged to become a Pilates Teacher and I went on to complete my training with Stott Pilates and qualified as a Pilates Mat Teacher in 2015. Since then I have completed many different courses and workshops including Barre Pilates, Mobility and Movement.

In 2024 I decided to fulfil my ambition and become a qualified Pilates instructor, which has proven to be an incredibly rewarding experience. I hold a Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor qualification including working with pre and post natal clients and endeavour to continue learning and developing my skills throughout my career.

My passion for Mat Pilates spans over many years, during which I have found it to be immensely beneficial in various aspects of my life. I am a keen runner and last year ran my first half marathon. I believe practising Pilates helped me to stay injury free during my training and throughout the race.

I am committed to working closely with clients, assessing their needs and providing ongoing support and motivation. I enjoy devising fun and varied classes that incorporate balance, strengthening and lengthening exercises with a modern twist, whilst remaining true to the original Pilates principles.

After practising Pilates for over 12 years I had the opportunity to train with Cherry Baker. I qualified as a level 3 instructor in 'Modern Pilates' which has adapted many of the original exercises in line with up to date science and research.

I have been actively involved in sport at various levels for many years, beginning with competitive swimming and currently with playing tennis. Amongst other benefits, I believe that Pilates helps you to remain free of injury both whilst participating in sport and in day to day life.

I first discovered Pilates over 20 years ago, before my journey took me into Yoga, Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine. As well as teaching Pilates at Natural Balance I also offer Yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi classes and workshops.

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In 2023 I had a very serious riding injury which resulted in a hip replacement and a lot of rehabilitation. I rediscovered my love of Pilates and used it as part of my recovery.

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What I love most about Pilates is that it can be adapted to everybody. Whether you are managing an injury, living with restrictions or simply wanting to build strength and mobility.

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My aim is to help you move with confidence, reconnect with your body and discover what it is truly capable of.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with an aggressive autoimmune condition which left me close to kidney failure. It completely changes my relationship with exercise, which had been shaped by my time swimming at national level during high school. I fell in love with the more mindful approach to movement that Pilates offers and loved that it could build strength while improving mobility, posture and core strength, as well as giving me time to slow down and reconnect with my body.

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That experience inspired me to become a Pilates instructor which is why I am now training to become a BASI-certified instructor. I want to show people that exercise doesn't always have to be intense or feel punishing to be effective. You can have a great workout and enjoy it too!

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Natural Balance is much more than just a place to train. It's a welcoming community where people can learn, grow, build confidence, have fun and, most importantly, connect with their bodies. I love being part of the studio and the diversity and inclusivity it offers. It really is a place where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves.

Movement and fitness have always been a big part of my life. After 15 years of competing in gymnastics and dance, I went on to study Sports Rehabilitation, followed by a Master's degree in Sports Medicine at University.

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I first discovered Pilates through work experience at Natural Balance Pilates. After graduating, I decided to begin my Pilates training alongside teaching and attending classes at the studio. I was immediately drawn to the way pilates combines strength, mobility and controlled movement, while also supporting rehabilitation and overall fitness.

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With my background in gymnastics, dance, sports rehabilitation and sports medicine, Pilates feels like a natural combination of everything I have learnt and experienced throughout my career. I love helping people develop strength, confidence and body awareness and supporting them to move well and feel their best.

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In the coming months I will be offering rehabilitation classes at Natural Balance plus specific classes for teenagers, dancers and athletes.

I teach Mat Pilates at Natural Balance. I discovered my passion for Pilates completely by accident. HIIT was my go-to exercise for years, but it never left me feeling 100% satisfied, physically or emotionally. I decided to try out a Pilates class on a whim and instantly fell in love with the slow, controlled movements, the breathwork, the mind-body connection...all of it!

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What really got me were the mental benefits of the practice. Pilates pulled me out of my head and back into the present in a way nothing else had, and it still does that years later. That's what I want to give my clients, that same grounding, empowering feeling, through movement they genuinely enjoy and look forward to.

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Teaching at Natural Balance has been incredibly fulfilling since my very first class there. The fellow instructors, and of course our amazing clients, have a real passion for Pilates and building better movement habits and overall strength. There's a real community feel, and it's always brilliant seeing regulars support, get to know each other and grow together.