​​​​​Hi, I'm Sophie. 

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Before training as a Pilates teacher, I spent many years working in business operations, HR, finance and leadership. I understand the physical and mental demands of professional life and the way that movement gradually disappears without anyone noticing. 

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I am an example of someone, who, despite having had years of being fit from 22 yrs old to 42 yrs old, was starting to suffer the consequences of desk-based work, plus the effects of the ‘Chain of Compensation’.

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I used to do regular Boot Camps, runs, got into the Hall of Fame amongst my boot campers for squats, lunges, sit ups, push ups, and then did the Three Peaks Challenge within the challenge time of 24 hours.  

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I damaged my hips, particularly my right one and hobbled around for 2 weeks after the challenge, then got back into my boot camp, and forgot all about it. 

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Following a messy divorce, incessant work stress, financial stress which led me to taking on more work hours, I gave up my boot camp and runs, and that's when my body started breaking down.​

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The hip injury triggered a Chain of Compensation that left me feeling like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.  But I didn't realise at the time what was happening - in fact, I remember blaming it on a new bed mattress at the time!!

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We all roll over several times during our sleep, I couldn't roll, I'd wake up in pain.  I'd lock up completely, unable to flip myself over.  Walking became a struggle (making art galleries & museums a no-go).  Standing in a train became a struggle.  Watching TV on the sofa became a struggle.  And of course, sitting at a desk was a struggle.  Just continuous pain in my right hip and back.

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My GP sent me for x-rays, MRI scans. Physical therapists massaged and prescribed exercises.  Acupuncturists stuck needles in me.  Chiropractors cracked me.  Specialists gave me cortisone injections.

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Nothing worked.

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Now I realise that they were all treating the symptoms, not the Chain of Compensation.  Finally, someone suggested Pilates to me.  

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I'll be brutally honest, I just felt 'meh'.  I didn't understand how it worked.  

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No sweat. No burn. No obvious "work" happening. The instructor kept talking about "breathing" and "core connection", I almost stopped going, except that I became really grateful for the hour I spent, just mindfully working on my body, and taking care of myself.  A mental relief from work stresses.  

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Then I started to feel the physical benefits.

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For the first time in a long time, I managed to get some sleep.

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I could manage to move during the night without waking.  The stabbing pains were subsiding.  Standing on a train became a little easier.  Watching TV became a little easier and sitting at my work desk became a little easier.

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My hip was starting to unlock. My back was releasing. ​

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Pilates did that for me.  

 

It was the reversal of the Chain of Compensation.

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To achieve it, you need a systematic approach; a personal approach; someone who understands the kinetic chains within the body; someone who'll take the time to investigate and find those movements that will help to unlock you.  

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I can help you to do that.  I like to specialise in working with people whose bodies are struggling to keep up with active minds.

 

My work is calm, considered and personalised.  Its not about pushing or performing.  It is about understanding your 'gives' and 'restrictions'; building knowledge about your body; gaining tools (movement patterns) that will help you to have an active and fulfilling time, even beyond retirement!​​​