Lena’s approach
Lena will introduce you to the key Pilates principles, including alignment, breathing, centring (working from a stable inner core) and precise movement. She will aim to ensure that your body develops awareness of the subtle feeling of deep core muscle connection. Our body has a natural inner girdle of musculature, surrounding the spine and supporting pelvic organs. When the girdle is appropriately engaged, it supports the sturdy “stacking” of the vertebrae above each other and above the pelvis. It also decompresses the vertebrae and gives a wonderful feeling of “lift”. We need to have this stable core in place, similar to how a tower crane needs a stable base while the long arm moves around. When our posture is misaligned and deep stabilising muscles are not working correctly, this is manifested through bad posture, tension, reduced joint mobility, neck/shoulder and backache or other health issues. A regular exercise focused on the outer visible mobilising muscles does not make your inner girdle stronger, whilst Pilates exercise builds strength and control from within.
Lena encourages her clients to take what they learn during classes and use this knowledge while they go about their daily activities.
Why choose a Body Control Pilates ® Instructor?
The Body Control Pilates ® certification is a qualification widely seen as a benchmark for safe and effective teaching of the highest quality. It is Europe’s largest professional Pilates Organisation and all certified teachers have completed a comprehensive training course in Body Control Pilates matwork (Level 3). It includes learning theory, studying in small groups and an extensive hands-on teaching under supervision. Members of the Body Control Pilates Association continue to develop their professional knowledge and competence in Pilates and related subjects by attending recognised events each year and gaining further qualifications.
Personal Story
Prior to becoming a Pilates Teacher Lena was an accomplished environmental and sustainability consultant. She has always been passionate about environmental stewardship and building happy, healthy and inclusive communities. She has enjoyed working on a variety of projects ranging from Sustainability Appraisals to Health Impact Assessments for over 10 years. However, long hours spent at a desk writing reports, left her feeling itchy to do something more applied and see real results on the ground. Lena has been practicing Pilates for several years, helping alleviate the low back pain and shoulder and neck tension – common problems associated with an office-based job. She appreciated the health benefits of Pilates fairly quickly and was hooked by its mind and body approach. As her interest in the Pilates method grew, she became inspired to take it further and, hence, training to teach with Body Control Pilates became a natural and logical progression. After changing her occupation Lena moved to Chester where she used to run antenatal, mixed abilities and ‘Ginger’ Pilates classes. She has recently moved to Wirral and is establishing new classes in her garden Pilates studio.
Lena holds a REP Certified Level 3 Pilates qualification and is fully insured (including Public Liability Insurance) with UK Coaching.
Pilates and other Fitness Qualifications
2014 – Qualified with Body Control Pilates, Level 3: Advanced Instructor on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
2015 – Level 3 Certificate in Designing Pre- and Postnatal Pilates Programmes (Awarding Body: Active lQ)
2014 – Duke University Online Course ‘Introductory Human Physiology’
2014 – Nordic Walking Instructor (with Nordic Walking UK)
2018 – Level 3 Physical Activity (Pilates) and Health Considerations for the Older Adult (Awarding Body: Active lQ)
Professional Associations
Member of the of Body Control Pilates Association
Continuous Professional Development Courses
2025 – Hypopressives for Pilates Teachers 2024 – Pilates for Bone Health
2024 – ‘Look, Listen, Push, Pull: Training Freedom and Support in the Head, Neck, and Shoulders’ Workshop with Cara Reeser and Jeremy Laverdure, Movement Science Made Simple, USA
2023 – BCP course ‘Psoas: Clever Guy of the Pelvis’
2023 – BCP course ‘Neural Reset: Polyvagal Theory for Movement Teachers’
2020 – Level 4 ‘Back4Good Low Back Pain’
2019 – BCP Foam Roller; L4 Pilates Workshop – Movement Workbook
2018 – Breast Cancer Rehab: Foundation and Programmes
2018 – Working with Clients after Lower Segment Caesarean Section
Previous qualifications
MSc in Environmental Policy (LSE); BSc in Biology.