About Pilates Body in Balance
Meet your instructor
Hi, I am Marie,
I'm delighted to welcome you to the Pilates Body in Balance website, designed to provide a convenient platform for both my existing and future clients, ensuring easy access to all essential information in one place.
My journey into Pilates began when my daughter was one years old. I embraced Pilates as a regular practice and continued throughout my second pregnancy. After a serious fall down the stairs which resulted in two slipped discs, Pilates became my primary tool for recovery. Through consistent practice, Pilates not only helped me heal but has allowed me to live pain-free ever since a personal experience that deeply informs how I support my clients today.
I was fortunate to be taught by an extraordinary instructor, Kate, who ignited my passion for the Pilates method. This passion eventually led me to pursue a career as a Pilates teacher.
Now, as a mother to two young adults who have grown up with the method and occasionally join me in the studio, Pilates remains the heartbeat of my family life.
My Approach to Pilates
I strongly believe in the Pilates Method as it was originally taught by Joseph Pilates, known then as Contrology, and as it has been passed down through his students, the renowned elders of the method. My own practice, as well as the way I teach, is deeply rooted in this classical tradition. Each of these teachers brought their unique voice, perspective, and way of communicating, but they all share a common thread — the full Pilates Method.
For me, Pilates is not just about matwork or reformer exercises. It’s about the entire method, which includes the use of the apparatus to build stability, strength, alignment, and power. Through this approach, I aim to deepen your understanding of the brilliance and depth of Pilates.
Pilates is not simply a list of exercises. At every level, each movement is purposeful, with one exercise flowing into the next. This interconnectedness is key to the method’s transformative power and its ability to improve your body’s stability and control over time.
Joseph Pilates once said, “Contrology is not a system of competing exercises. It is a complete system of physical and mental well-being. It will improve the quality of life, not just for today, but for the rest of your life.”
He believed his method was a comprehensive system, designed to be practiced in its entirety — a method that cannot be pieced apart or diluted.
He also said, “The Pilates Method teaches you to be in control of your body and not at its mercy.”
This is a foundational principle of the method. Every movement is designed to build true control, strength, and alignment. It’s about a deep, mindful practice that works the body as a whole, not isolated or random exercises.
My wish is that when you experience the work, you’ll understand that all paths in Pilates ultimately start with Joe. While many modern interpretations and fitness trends may have strayed from the original method and diluted its essence, I am committed to teaching the true, classical Pilates Method that Joseph Pilates developed, preserving its integrity and depth. It’s about a method that works from the inside out, building real strength, alignment, and awareness — not for a quick workout, but for lasting, long-term health.
My path to becoming a teacher
In 2010, I successfully completed my training under the expert guidance of Alison Swan, a distinguished founding member of the Pilates Foundation, and earned my certification as a Matwork teacher. Later, in 2016, I furthered my expertise by obtaining my apparatus training qualification under Rachel Rafiefar, another esteemed founding member of the Pilates Foundation.
In addition to these certifications, I have taken numerous workshops over the years to continually deepen my knowledge of the true Pilates Method. I have also dedicated time to researching the original Pilates archives, ensuring that my teaching remains true to the principles and techniques Joseph Pilates developed.
Today, with 16 years of teaching experience, I am proud to offer both Private and Semi-Private sessions from my specialised home studio. To ensure the highest standard of classical instruction, I am currently transitioning the studio to a full suite of handcrafted Legacy Classical equipment, starting with the addition of the Wunda Chair and Spine Corrector in June 2026.
I'm here to guide you on a journey toward a healthier, stronger, and more vibrant you.
Don't wait—join me now, and let's start this exciting adventure together.
I hope to see you soon!