The Team
Laura
My Qualifications
Post Graduate Certificate of Education - Dance - University of Brighton
BA (HONS) Dance and Choreography University of Chichester
Level 4 Low Back Pain Management
Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in GP Exercise Referral
Level 3 Award in Supporting Pre and Postnatal Clients with Exercise and Nutrition
VTCT Level 3 Diploma Instructing Mat - Based Pilates
VTCT Award in Nutrition for Physical Activity
VTQ Level 3 First Aid
FDI Ballet and Modern Dance (ISTD)
I have Public Liability Insurance
I am registered with the ICO
I am DBS checked
Photo credit Marie-Claire Stanmore
Hi everyone! My name is Laura and I launched Pilates with Laura in 2021. I live in the lovely village that is Netley Abbey. Having danced since the age of 3 I have always had a passion for movement and the benefits it brings to the mind and body. I qualified to teach Pilates in 2017 to further my anatomical understanding of the body, and have applied this knowledge in teaching Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
After completing my Pilates training I was hired by the Lowford Clinic to teach Pilates classes, these classes have now moved venue to what I like to think of my back garden Victoria Country Park and are now organised by Marie- Claire Prettyman -The Movement Specialist. I also teach for Everyone Active at Hamble Sports Complex, Abshot Country Club and continue to cover Pilates classes at leisure centres when I am available.
2021
I decided to set myself a challenge to run my own classes in 2021. These have been steadily growing and take place at Return to Health, 201A West Street, Fareham. Please head over to the class information page for more details. You can also read below about my classes and the other fantastic instructors that teach classes for 'Pilates with Laura'.
Thinking of coming to my classes?
My teaching style
I like to incorporate humour, metaphors and imagery in my class, as well as focusing on what the body and mind can achieve with a little encouragement. I want you to understand what you are doing and how it may benefit you. My dance training enables me to have good attention to detail. I make sure my participants perform exercises safely and fearlessly whilst promoting the appearance of an elegant and effortless execution! I cater for all abilities, ages and confidence levels.
Who I can train
I am GP exercise referral qualified which means in addition to working with participants who are fit and healthy I can also work with participants who have a range of common medical conditions (so long as these conditions are well managed and stable) Please highlight any conditions on your enrolment form and I will discuss with you anything that may need to put in place before your first class.
I consult with Physiotherapists on the best way forward for their clients experiencing low back pain and am guided by their advice when Pilates is suggested as a way to relieve and manage symptoms.
Laura
You can join Laura in the following classes:
Tuesdays 8.15am - Mixed Level
Tuesdays 9.30am - Improvers
Tuesdays 10.45am - Mixed Level
Thursdays 8.15am - Beginners - starting February 2025
Thursdays 9.30am - Beginners - starting February 2025
Saturdays 8.15am - Mixed Level
Saturdays 9.30am - Improvers
Saturdays 10.45am - Beginners
Manous
You can join Manous in the following classes:
Tuesdays 6.05pm - Mixed Level Pilates
Tuesdays 7.15pm - Mixed Level Pilates
Pilates to me is all about postural awareness and injury prevention through deliberate movement and building strength. I love how Pilates is suitable for those new to exercise and anyone returning after a break due to injury or otherwise, but can also challenge the most experienced athletes. Personally I teach a wide range of people, I teach at schools as part of the PE curriculum, many sessions in gyms and I work with the elderly. In my class you can expect me to talk you through the movements, what we are trying to achieve and what to look out for. I also like to keep my classes varied, with no two sessions the same. My other aim is to ensure you look forward to your classes and don’t want them to end once you are there!
Manous
Jo
You can join Jo in the following classes:
Wednesday 6.05pm - Beginner Pilates
Wednesday 7.15pm - Beginner Pilates
I still remember the very first time that I came across the art of Pilates at my local health club when I was just 18 - the delicate use of such focused, considered movement to repair, maintain and enhance our natural strength and mobility was a complete epiphany and I was hooked from the start. I loved the way that it bought benefit to everyone, regardless of age, experience, fitness level or flexibility. There is a place for everyone on the Pilates mat and I love to help my clients find confidence in their own bodies. I have been teaching Pilates for over twenty years now and am still very much in love with it's ability to strengthen, lengthen, massage and soothe both body and mind and help us to create the very best version of ourselves.
Pilates has become a part of daily life for me and I know that it will be that way forever. It helps me to stay grounded during stressful times, strong and flexible enough to run around endlessly after my young son and to stay mobile and injury free as a fitness instructor who isn't in her twenties anymore....
I love to try and bring a little education to my classes alongside the essential warmth, humour and personal connection - when we understand 'why' we are trying to work in a particular way our 'mind to muscle' connection becomes so much more powerful and our results truly wonderful. I am very much looking forward to meeting you all on the mat to share the joy of movement that is Pilates...
Jo
Catherine
You can join Catherine in the following classes:
Thursdays 6.05pm - Mixed Level Pilates
Thursdays 7.15pm - Mixed Level Pilates
Hello my name is Catherine.
I work as an Holistic therapist and Masseuse as well as a fitness instructor. I have been in the fitness industry since 1999 and a masseuse for 35 years. I got into Pilates many years ago by attending a class, I realised there was more to fitness than jumping around and pushing weights. I trained with a company called Future Fit based in Fareham in 2003. I have never looked back having run my own classes as well as working in leisure centres in and around the area. Over the years I have helped many people with many different ailments and health problems through Pilates, this gives me a great feeling of pride and instils the importance of this discipline for our mind and body.
I look forward to meeting and helping you all at Return to Health.
Catherine
John
Guest instructor
Hi my name is John. I am a retired Regional Bank Manager. I was born in Essex and mostly worked in London before retiring to Southampton. I am a keen runner having an Essex County Medal for cross country running and 5 London Marathon medals including one from the first event in 1981. However, my running is now restricted to 5ks in order to protect my knees. I also cycle, dance Modern Jive and Argentine Tango, water ski and, of course, practice Pilates!
A Pilates teacher did not turn up to a class once so I took the class. Having enjoyed the experience I decided to become a qualified Pilates Instructor and that I have now achieved.
Pilates keeps you supple and strong and is the perfect partner for any athlete, warding off injuries – particularly important for veteran athletes. That is not to say that it is not good for the less active, quite the contrary, and I have a particular goal of encouraging more men to take up Pilates in order to, at least maintain, if not improve, muscular strength and suppleness, together with bone density. There are, of course many other advantages and the men (beginners) that I have taught to date have told me just how much better they feel in themselves after a 6 week course.
I will be popping in and out of classes to provide cover support for Laura, Manous, Jo and Catherine where I can and look forward to meeting you all then.
John