HELEN WHITAKER

I have been practicing Pilates for many years and teaching for the past twelve years. My interest in the method began following a sports injury that caused back and neck pain, resulting in muscular stiffness and reduced mobility.

Seeking to improve my movement, I studied Alexander Technique and that, in turn, led me to practicing Pilates.  The mind and body awareness and the freedom of movement that the practice brought me, together with the release in the muscles around the affected areas and subsequent re-balancing of my body was remarkable.  Always keen to exercise, I had been experiencing a reluctance to move due to the associated pain.

Now, pain-free and able to fully participate in advanced level exercises, I teach and share my experience with my pupils and class participants, bringing to them the benefit of many years of practice, continuing study and experience.

My route into Pilates training was via the fitness industry, qualifying in the instruction of exercise to music, then proceeding to Pilates on the mat, gaining full certification through training with Future Fit. Further education has included Pilates for special populations, standing and chair-based modifications and adaptations for clients with restricted mobility,

My reformer training and certification is with Polestar and APPI, ante & post natal with APPI, studio training with Balanced Body and most recently I have been developing my teaching and movement skills with the Garuda method, completing their further training on the reformer in November 2020