A bit about me and my classes..

Amanda's story

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Amanda founded Pilates 4 in 2015 following completion of the L3 Pilates teacher mat work training with Body Control Pilates, London. BCP is the largest educational training centre in the UK, highly regarded due to their focus on teaching the traditional Pilates method to  individuals using progressions and with appropriate modifications. Teachers are trained to  take into account the specific needs, pathologies and  capabilities of each client. Many hours of practise and training go into becoming a competant matwork teacher, followed by regular and obligatory CPD. The following year Amanda  trained to teach the studio equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel), and completed her comprehensive studio training. Amanda works mainly with small groups of up to 3 people in her fully equipped studio where she can provide the most benefit,  this allows her to tailor sessions to the individual, never teaching the same session twice. The 'classical Pilates mat' as devised by Joseph Pilates around 100 years ago, is comprised of  34 exercises and is choreographed with flow, specific breathing patterns and transitions. It is the most advanced form of Pilates and requires strength, mobility, endurance, concentration and a lot of practice! However, these very precise movements are  not always pertinent to every body. A more contemporary approach to Pilates and focus on functional movement patterns can be more appropriate for many,  easing people's pain and joint restrictions by helping them improve their neuromuscular patterning, proprioception, posture, strength and mobility. For those wanting the larger group matwork experience there are larger group sessions (maximum 12 people) on Fridays at Christ Church, Lubbock Road, Chislehurst.  

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A mother of 4 children and a qualified secondary school teacher, Amanda has  been involved in movement from a very young age. studying classical ballet, gymnastics, a variety of sports, yoga and Pilates for many years before deciding to train to become a Body Control Pilates Instructor. Experiencing the benefits of Pilates during pregnancy and beyond she has made it an integral part of her life enabling her to continue with her first love which is dance. She is not a stranger to pain and chronic illness, overcoming ME as a teenager she continues to manage pain associated with hypermobility through Pilates and movement.  She has discovered through her own  journey that movement is medicine, sedentary lifestyles and occupations will  inevitably lead to de-conditioning, muscle imbalances, stiffness and pain. As a qualified Level 4 Back Care Professional and a certified Back 4 Good Practitioner she is able to tailor exercises safely and appropriately for the individual's needs. 

 

She is fully  qualified to teach Pilates to ante-natal and post-natal clients  and has many years experience in training people with neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. She  also has a personal interest in  hypermobility, EDS and associated connective tissue disorders which means she is well placed to help people who are learning to pace themselves and increase their activity through graded exercise.  This can also be relevant to recovery from Covid, Glandular Fever and other viruses which can have a longer recovery period.  

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As well as the obvious physical benefits of Pilates training, it is amazing how the mindful approach to movement can have such a calming and restorative effect on people. Amanda incorporates other disciplines such as  breathwork and elements of yoga into her classes as well as biomechanics and myofascial release to achieve balance in mind and body. Breathwork being one of the most powerful, scientifically proven methods to improve health and wellbeing. Amanda takes a clinical approach to her teaching, aiming to help clients improve their overall strength, flexibility and everyday functional movement.

 

Pilates can also be used effectively in sports injury  rehabilitation and to enhance performance. Having worked  with elite rugby, hockey and cricket players in secondary schools Amanda has had specialist training in teaching children and teenagers as well as older clients, people with bone density problems and people with neurological conditions.

 

Pilates is truly for anyone and everyone and can be adapted to suit virtually any  mobility issue.

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Movement in all forms is now widely regarded as the antidote to so many chronic conditions. Amanda is driven  to help people learn about their own bodies, find the source of their pain and to understand that  "movement is medicine",  so that they can feel empowered to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.