Hello!
A little information about me. I’m Martine and I’ve been practicing Pilates for just over 20 years.
Like a lot of people, I came to Pilates following an injury – in my case a fractured lower spine after a horse riding accident.
I didn’t know I’d fractured my spine for over two years as I wasn’t offered an x-ray at the hospital. All I knew, for years following the accident, was that I was in constant pain, with restricted movement and my back continued to spasm painfully as it worked to protect itself.
What to do?
I’d always been quite active and knew that I’d have to find a way:
- to become pain free
- to be able to exercise again
- to strengthen myself
I read about Pilates in a newspaper article and it sounded perfect for me
but I was frustrated as I couldn’t find a class anywhere outside London.
After some hunting around I bought a book written by Alan Herdman; the man who brought Pilates from America to the UK,
I set myself up as instructed with a chair, a scarf and cushions and followed the book to the letter.
I read an interview with Lynne Robinson, the co-founder of Body Control Pilates and bought her DVDs.
I was dedicated to my book and DVDs because what they taught me worked, really worked.
Life was happening at the same time of course; I was a busy beauty therapist and after a few years I decided to train to teach this subject that I loved.
I completed a Certificate of Education and happily taught beauty therapy for a few years in College to school leavers and adults before deciding to set up my own beauty therapy business.
Pilates was always there; it just never entered my head that I could teach it.
When I discovered I could train to teach Pilates to others, not only that, but train with Body Control Pilates, I applied immediately.
The standards set by Body Control Pilates are particularity rigorous so I wasn’t expecting it to be easy.
It wasn’t easy, but it was and is completely and utterly worth it.
All of the travel, all of the study and all of the hard work.
So here I am, teaching Pilates.
And I love it.
Pilates really helped me; my body, my mind and as one of Joe’s famous quotes says
Pilates ….elevates your spirit.
There are many, many reasons why Pilates is a great idea for anyone and everyone, (I can’t use the “should” word – it’s just a bully) and the reasons are all different, as are we.
Whatever your reason, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and together we can bring the benefits and changes that Pilates offers to you and your life.
Let’s get together.
I look forward to working with you!
Martine
Proudly laying out my mats for the first time!