About Me

My name is Carol Clarke and I have been teaching Pilates on the mat and on studio equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Wundachair) since 2005.

I have a true passion for Pilates, which has led me to study Classical Pilates in both the UK and the USA.  I enjoy teaching Pilates to all ages and abilities, from absolute beginners to advanced students.

I also specialise in teaching Pilates for sports injuries, pre and post natal Pilates and also Pilates for before and after surgery.

I teach from my home studio in Muswell Hill, North London.

Due to the Covid restrictions I am currently teaching on Zoom – small group classes (so that I can observe and correct) and one to one classes.

Qualifications:

Pilates

Member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) which is the professional development body for the UK sport and physical activity sector.

I studied Pilates in the UK at Pilates International, Highgate, London where I completed a full time 8 month apprenticeship in a working studio specialising in rehabilitation.

Masters in Classical Pilates from The Pilates Center, Boulder, Colorado in the USA. I studied in the USA over a period of two years at The Pilates Center, which is recognised as ‘the Harvard of the Pilates world’. I continue to study with them.

I endeavour to be at the forefront of what is happening in the Pilates world internationally. I regularly attend workshops and have trained with leading names in the industry such as Jay Grimes (who was personally trained by Joseph Pilates), Cara Reeser and Amy and Rachel Alpers (who were the first students of Romana Kryzanowska – Joseph Pilates’ protege).

Yoga

Graduate of the Yoga Academy. I studied yoga with Simon Low, co-founder of Triyoga and founder of the “Yoga Academy”, one of the world’s leading yoga teacher training schools and study centres. I continue to study with Simon and am currently completing my RYT500 hours (500 hours of continuing professional development for the Yoga Alliance, UK and USA)

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance UK and USA

British Wheel of Yoga accredited teacher

Guild of Pregnancy and Post Natal Instructors

I am a member of the Guild of Pregnancy and Post Natal Instructors – a non-profit making organisation which promotes the teaching of specialised pregnancy and post natal exercise.

Why I teach

Pilates

I originally came to Pilates in 1997 as I had sustained a back injury. Through BUPA I went to an amazing physiotherapist in Clapham and she “fixed” me over a period of six months using Pilates techniques. Apart from the fact that I was very grateful to be pain free again this experience also taught me the power of Pilates to help people recover from injury and I also gained an invaluable insight into how to teach other people.

I decided to train to become a Pilates instructor in 2005 after leaving a career in the City. I spent a long time researching which school to train with and decided on Pilates International – a studio owned and run by Heather and Martin Sampson as they were true pioneers of pilates in the UK and had a passion for teaching Pilates which they translated to their students. They were in the first wave of teachers in the UK at the beginning of the 1980s and were tutored by Alan Herdman. Heather and Martin were also founder members of the UK’s first Pilates Teachers’ Association, the Pilates Foundation, created in 1996.

I wanted to understand the roots of Pilates by studying the original, classical method of Pilates on both mat and studio equipment.  I chose to study at The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. The Principals of The Pilates Center, Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Seger in their own words ‘strive to foster the legacy and tradition of the original, classical method of Pilates’.   They are very well placed to do this as they were among the first students to train under Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates’ protegé and the inheritor of his studio in NYC. The Pilates Center was an amazing and inspirational place to study and practice.

Yoga

I started to study yoga in 2010 as I wanted to learn more about the power of the breath and meditation to cultivate a more harmonious, balanced lifestyle.

I chose the Yoga Academy, whose principal is Simon Low as he has a wealth of experience having taught yoga internationally.  I graduated from The Yoga Academy in 2012.  I teach yoga with an emphasis on correct anatomical alignment whilst allowing the body to be at ease within the postures.

I continue to study with Simon and other well-respected yoga teachers.

From 2012-2016 I was the tutor coordinator for the BWY London Festival as a volunteer for the British Wheel of Yoga (the national governing body for Yoga).

Pilates

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a method of therapeutic exercise developed over a span of 60 years by athlete and physical therapy pioneer, Joseph H. Pilates.

Pilates was developed with the specific aim of rebalancing the musculature of the body, with an emphasis on working from your “core” (deep abdominal and spine muscles) along with your deep postural muscles.  It also lengthens your muscles so you become strong and toned without the “bulk”.

Using smooth, flowing and precise movements it transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs.

Whatever your current level of fitness Pilates can become your primary mode of body conditioning and injury prevention and furthermore will enhance any other type of sport or activity you currently undertake.

Yoga

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient Indian science and philosophy, developed over thousands of years, yet still relevant today.

Hatha Yoga has great physical and mental benefits gained from practising the yoga asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques).  You may notice that as your body gets stronger consequently so does your mind.

Pranayama can teach you how to utilise your breath correctly in a way that enables to you to deal with and relieve stress in your everyday life.

Hatha Yoga aims to strengthen the body and still the mind, thus enabling you to live a mindful, contented and healthy lifestyle.

Book a session

Pilates

I teach mat and Studio Pilates on all equipment (including Reformer, Cadillac, Tower and Chair) on a one to one basis or as a duet.

YOGA

I teach on a one to one basis or as a duet.

PRICES
One hour sessions

Single lesson £65
Block of five lessons £300
Block of ten lessons £550

Zoom – 50 minute session

One to one £50
Group (up to 5 people) £50

Pilates one to one tuition away from the studio £80 per hour

All fees payable in advance and cancellations to be made 24 hours in advance or the full session will be charged.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR LESSON

Please wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement – this will allow me to observe how your body moves during the lesson.  A fitted tee shirt with leggings or shorts, together with sports socks would be ideal.  No training shoes necessary.

CLIENT DETAILS

I keep clients’ contact details only to respond to enquiries or where I arrange bookings myself (home visits and some equipment classes).  If you would rather I didn’t hold your details please let me know.