JAMES
MARINA
Marina is a Balanced Body Comprehensive qualified Pilates Instructor (covering all Pilates equipment) and accredited Integrative Movement Specialist. Having spent many years working in psychology in higher education she was inspired to pursue Pilates teacher training following successful recovery from a lower back injury by practising pilates in a dedicated Pilates Studio with a Master Educator. This developed her passion to help others benefit from Pilates movement techniques also.
ELLA
Ella’s love for Pilates grew from a lifelong passion for movement, shaped by her background in dance and exposure to Yoga and Pilates from an early age. After practising Pilates for many years and experiencing the strength, balance and confidence it brought into her own life, she trained as a Mat and Reformer instructor. Ella teaches a blend of classical and contemporary Pilates, creating supportive and uplifting classes designed to help clients move better, feel stronger and build confidence both in and out of the studio.
LOU
Lou recently moved back to York after living in Sydney for 8 years, where she trained as a Pilates instructor. Lou discovered the benefits of Pilates after having her first child, and soon after pivoted her career towards being an instructor. She teaches Reformer, Mat and is now studying Barre. Lou studied with Studio Pilates and Barre body. With a background in dance, her classes are dynamic, with an emphasis on technique and posture to enhance your practice.
MEG
Meg fell in love with Pilates whilst living in the Alps. Encouraged by the performance benefits it gave her in cross country, touring and alpine skiing, she trained as an instructor and has never looked back. Now using the multi-functional Reformer to support her triathlon training, Meg is enthusiastic about encouraging more people into Pilates and the Reformer in particular. Striving to improve movement, daily functioning and athletic performance. Meg is a Body Control trained instructor.
KIRSTY
Kirsty is level 3 Active-IQ qualified in Mat, Barre and Reformer with almost 30yrs of experience in the fitness industry. She has a real passion for helping people feel stronger, healthier and more confident no matter their starting point.
She believes the physical and mental benefits from regularly practicing Pilates are invaluable.
James, founder and owner of the studio, is a Balanced Body qualified Mat and Reformer Instructor who came to pilates after reading an article by the former England cricket captain Mike Atherton, as a solution to an array of sports injuries and qualified as an instructor after a career in business. He is a great believer in the all-round benefits of pilates, and is particularly keen to encourage more men to give it a try to improve strength and flexibility.
MEET THE TEAM
At Haxby Pilates Studio we offer a full range of classes taught by our highly qualified and expert teachers.
CLARE
Clare is a Physiotherapist who has practiced Pilates for many years to improve her own strength and flexibility, helping her to manage the physical demands of her job. She is an enthusiastic instructor who truly believes in Pilates for providing both physical and mental benefits to everyone. Clare has completed her Mat, Pregnancy and Postnatal training with APPI and shortly after qualified as a Reformer instructor with Balanced Body.
AMY
Amy is a qualified Reformer and Mat Pilates instructor. Her love of Pilates started as it assisted in recovery from a running injury. As a fitness enthusiast, she is passionate about helping others to use Pilates to support recovery as well as improving sporting performance and movement in everyday life.
She creates a friendly, relaxed and supportive atmosphere where people can move and build confidence and leave feeling stronger and energised.
DANAE
Danae is an APPI certified Mat Pilates instructor with a passion for mindful movement, strength, and alignment. Her Pilates journey began as a student, and after discovering the joy of the practice and the depth it offers, she was inspired to further develop her skills to help others move and feel their best. With a background in Neuro-Rehabilitation her goal is supporting the development of healthy minds and bodies through intentional, informed movement.
ELLEN
Ellen is a level 3 Active-IQ Mat qualified Pilates instructor and is training towards her Barre and Reformer certification. Having practised Pilates for many years, she finds it supportive of her previous equine passion, as both an equine rider and coach. She now regularly practices Yoga, Mat and Reformer Pilates, which she finds instrumental in supporting her strength, flexibility, physical and mental wellbeing.
Ellen creates classes which are creative and add various levels of challenge, whilst focusing on the core principles of Pilates. She is eager to share her knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding of Pilates, helping others discover how it can support both mind and body.
