Our Instructors
Ellie Brown:
I am pleased to announce that this April the Greenwich Pilates Studio was opened in Greenwich. This is
the first Pilates Studio in West Greenwich and it will be hosting Pilates classes for all levels as well as small 'Mother and Baby' Post-natal Pilates and Pregnancy Pilates....details.
I was first introduced to Pilates whilst suffering with sciatica during my third pregnancy. I found Pilates helped me considerably and I enjoyed it so much went on to train with Body Control to become one of their instructors!
My love for athletics has developed into coaching and along with the running groups, I also teach athletics to children at a local running club. I regularly compete in road and cross-country races and ran my fourth marathon in London this year. Download one of my favourite runs by clicking here
Route Summary Greenwich.doc.
I live in Greenwich, have a husband and three children and I love to cook and enjoy a glass of wine.
I am a Qualified Advanced Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA), Pilates Pre and Post-Natal,
UK Athletics Level 2 Coach and The Register of Fitness Professionals (REPS) Level 3.
Jacqueline Pye:
I have been practicing Pilates since 2000, initially to aid recovery from a minor back injury. I began training with Chris Hocking, founder of Pilates Based Body Awareness (who was trained by Alan Herdman). After my first class I could understand the benefits I would gain from Pilates. Within six weeks of regularly attending class and doing daily home practice I was able to sleep on my back without pain - something I hadn't been able to do for the previous nine months.
I originally trained as an actress at the London Academy of Performing Arts. The next fifteen years were spent working in the Arts; everything from performing, running children's theatre workshops to artist management. A long held interest in holistic therapies led me to study Indian Head Massage at the Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy in London.
Combining a performance background with bodywork training has enabled me to develop a comprehensive understanding of human movement. To continue to deepen my knowledge, I regularly attend conferences and workshops. Recent training has included a specialist development day on Pilates and Osteoporosis. I teach matwork from beginners through to intermediate level and am also qualified to teach ante natal Pilates.
Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA) The Register of Fitness Professionals (REPS) Level 3, International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA).
Helen L'Anson:
I have been practicing Pilates for 12 years. I was first introduced to Pilates through my work as a Physiotherapist and became familiar with its benefits when treating particular types of patients. I attended many classes to enhance my knowledge and trained as a Matwork instructor in 2006 with the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI). I furthered my training in 2007 to include ante and post natal Pilates and Matwork to intermediate level.
I am passionate about the benefits Pilates can offer a wide range of clients by improving core strength, posture and enhancing movement. It is exciting and rewarding to see this progress and observe the confidence built as you learn to appreciate and reconnect with your body.
I am familiar working with a variety of clients, from those with sedentary jobs to very active lifestyles and clients who have past or current muscular-skeletal injuries. I adapt my classes to ensure an appropriate level of exercise. My classes are often set to music and incorporate an element of relaxation.
In addition to practising Pilates, I am very active, participating in British Military Fitness classes in Greenwich as well as yoga. I also enjoy running and have completed the London Marathon in 2009, many half marathons and currently training for the Edinburgh Marathon this year.I also hold a YMCA qualification in exercise to music and have taught several aerobics and fitness classes. I am a member of the APPI and Fitpro.
Ruth Tongue:
Health and fitness have always been very important to me, and I started Pilates during my dance training many years ago. I immediately reaped the benefits, in body and mind. Having taken some time off Pilates a few years later, and as a keen runner, I found I was prone to injuries. After being prescribed some Pilates style exercises by a physio I found that my strength improved and I have not had any serious injuries since! I have since gone on to complete two marathons and am always on the lookout for my next challenge.
I am Stott Pilates trained and have a background in dance, Sport and exercise science, as well as being a qualified nutritionist.
I currently teach the beginners and beginners plus classes on a Thursday evening and look forward to starting an early morning energiser session early in the summer. I also see individuals for nutrition consultations and work for a health and wellbeing website creating fitness and nutrition programmes.
Joanna Janicka:
Joanna first discovered Pilates after her physiotherapist recommended it when she had treatment on her knee following a skiing fall. After a few weeks attending regular classes, there was a noticeable improvement in how the knee felt. Pilates exercises had helped with amending the joint alignment and balancing the muscles.
Even though her initial intention was to heal her leg, Joanna also noticed that she was feeling stronger, walking straighter and had much less niggling lower back pain and shoulder tension. As an experience this won Joanna over.
She has trained as a Pilates instructor and enjoyed the benefits ever since, she now wishes to share its benefits with others.