ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Mandy, founder of ME Pilates Academy. I’ve been teaching pilates for 14 years now. I started with just one class in the Emmbrook Village Hall and I’m proud to say I still run that very same class and even have clients still attending now from those early days!! I believe this is testament to how beneficial pilates is to everyone. Once you've introduced your body to pilates you realise just how much you need it in your life!
Today I run 10 classes in Emmbrook ranging from beginners to improvers to pilates flow. I’m now excited to launch ME Pilates Academy and to bring clients even more than just a standard weekly pilates class. I want to pass on my experience, knowledge and passion for pilates to everyone, male, female, young and old. To those who have been participating for years to the complete beginner.
I hold level 3 qualifications in Pilates with Furure Fit Training, full insurance and first aid certificates.
Outside of pilates, I am a mum to 7 year old twins Dylan and Laynie and wife to Phil. I love running, boxercise, kayaking, gin, cheese (smellier the better) Fulham football club, Take that, Fawlty Towers, Michael McIntyre, and Pilates. I Hope that’s given you a insight to me, I can’t wait to get to know you all and to introduce you to the awesome world of pilates! Wait….did I mention I like pilates?
Joining ME Pilates Academy will bring additional benefits to your weekly class such as access to an online video library of pilates workouts to practice at home and a host of information, opportunities to participate in workshops and online courses, a members forum and much more.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a series of slow, controlled movements performed with precision and focus, aimed to strengthen and stretch muscles and build your body a strong core or “powerhouse” as Joseph Pilates called it.
The sequence of movements flow from one into the other placing emphasis on a connection between body and mind. The Pilates system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginner to advanced or to any other level.​
How can you benefit from pilates?
Pilates boasts many great benefits. It helps to improve your strength from the body’s deep core to the superficial muscles. It improves posture by correcting muscle imbalances gained through improper use or repetitive movements due to lifestyle, jobs we do and sports we play.
Other benefits include Increased control and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, improved coordination and reducing risk of injury.
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Pilates and back care
Pilates is an extremely beneficial form of exercise for anyone experiencing back pain. Pilates is highly recommended by chiropractors and osteopaths who treat patients with a range of back problems. I have seen many cases in my classes where pilates has helped to manage participants back pain. In some cases pilates has quite literally “fixed” their backs, eliminating the need for future surgery or operations.
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Pilates misconceptions
It’s true to say that there are many misconceptions about pilates. Some think it’s a class for ladies only (certainly not true I have had many men attend my classes over the years that greatly benefit from pilates). Some think its boring because it’s slower than an aerobics or circuits class. Some think it’s for young people who are already flexible. Some think it’s for old people because it’s low impact. The truth is pilates can be adapted to suit an individuals capabilities even in a class environment and will benefit everyone! It can be made as challenging as the participant needs it to be and exercises can always be progressed or adapted to keep them focussed and advancing. Bringing in the use of small equipment is one of the ways to keep classes more varied, challenging and fun. Anyone at any age, gender or fitness level can start pilates at any time. Seeing what the body is capable of achieving as the weeks go by
is most rewarding!
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