About Pilates Body in Balance
Meet your instructor
Hi, I'm Marie,
With over 16 years' teaching experience, I'm passionate about helping people move better, become stronger and discover the long-term benefits of Pilates. Whether you're completely new to Pilates or have been practising for years, my aim is to provide thoughtful, individual teaching in a calm and supportive environment.
Pilates has been at the heart of my life for many years, both personally and professionally.
I began my teaching career working within an osteopathic clinic, where I spent nine years teaching Pilates to clients with a wide range of abilities, movement goals and rehabilitation needs. Working alongside experienced osteopaths gave me invaluable insight into movement, rehabilitation and the importance of adapting Pilates to each individual—an approach that continues to influence the way I teach today.
Following my time at the clinic, I have continued to broaden my experience, teaching in Pilates studios and online before fulfilling a long-held ambition of opening my own fully equipped home studio in Winchmore Hill in 2023.
Today, I teach private and semi-private Pilates sessions from my studio, alongside small group matwork classes held locally, while continuing to teach within another Pilates studio. This allows me to continue developing my teaching through working with a wide variety of clients and settings.
My Journey to Pilates
My journey into Pilates began when my daughter was one year old. I quickly fell in love with the method and continued practising throughout my second pregnancy.
Following a serious fall down the stairs, which resulted in two slipped discs, Pilates became an essential part of my rehabilitation. Through consistent practice, it not only helped me recover but has enabled me to live pain-free ever since. Having experienced first-hand how transformative the Pilates Method can be, I understand the importance of moving well and building strength in a way that supports the body for the long term.
I was fortunate to be taught by an exceptional instructor, Kate, who inspired my passion for Pilates and encouraged me to pursue a career in teaching.
Now, as a mother of two young adults who have grown up with Pilates and occasionally join me in the studio, the method continues to play an important role in both my family life and my career.
My Training
In 2010, I completed my Matwork training under the expert guidance of Alison Swan, a founding member of the Pilates Foundation, qualifying as a Matwork teacher.
In 2016, I continued my professional development by completing my apparatus training with Rachel Rafiefar, also a founding member of the Pilates Foundation.
Learning has never stopped. Over the years I have attended numerous workshops and continued my studies to deepen my understanding of the Pilates Method. I have also spent time researching the original Pilates archives to ensure my teaching remains true to the principles developed by Joseph Pilates while continuing to meet the individual needs of each client.
My Approach to Pilates
I believe in teaching Pilates as a complete method, not simply a collection of individual exercises. My teaching is rooted in the classical Pilates tradition, as originally developed by Joseph Pilates and passed down through the teachers who studied directly with him.
For me, Pilates is about much more than matwork or the Reformer alone. The full Pilates Method includes a wide range of apparatus, each designed to develop strength, stability, alignment, control and balanced movement. Having access to a fully equipped studio allows me to select the most appropriate equipment for each individual, creating sessions that are varied, progressive and tailored to your needs.
Pilates is not simply a list of exercises. Every movement has a purpose, with one exercise preparing the body for the next. This thoughtful progression is what makes the method so effective, helping to build strength, improve posture, increase mobility and develop greater control over the body over time.
Joseph Pilates described his work as "a complete system of physical and mental well-being," and that philosophy continues to inspire the way I teach today.
Whether your goal is to recover from injury, improve your posture, increase strength, move with greater confidence or simply enjoy the benefits of regular Pilates, every session is carefully planned to provide expert guidance and help you achieve lasting results.
I feel incredibly fortunate to spend each day sharing a method that has had such a positive impact on my own life. I look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover what Pilates can do for you.