Dominic Abernethy

Studio & Mat Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: Pilates Matwork Diploma, Advanced Fitness Instructor, Low Back Pain Management Specialist (L4) Exercise on Referral, small apparatus.

Special Pilates interest: Form and focus of movement, muscle isolation and flow of exercises.

Other interests: Snowboarding, Body-weight training, motorbikes, classical music

Date joined Pilates Place: October 2009

Paula Belcher

Studio & Mat Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates, small equipment balls and bands, APPI Level 1 Reformer, YMCA Exercise to Music, Emergency First Aid at Work.

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Special Pilates Interest: Working with all ages and abilities to improve and develop individual posture, balance and health.

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Other interests: Yoga, meditation, nutrition, walking. Paula is an active supporter of Brown Dog cancer charity.

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Date joined Pilates Place: January 2018

Emma Boswell

Studio Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: Pilates Matwork Diploma, Studio Equipment, Small Apparatus (Ball, Magic Circles, Resistance Bands & Rollers), Barre Pilates & High Intensity Power (HIP) Pilates.

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Special Pilates interest: I am particularly interested in using Pilates to improve sporting performance and minimise the risk of injury. I work with young athletes to improve their posture, strength, mobility & flexibility to help them achieve in their chosen sports and it is amazing to see the improvements gained by consistent practice. I love how Pilates can be used by everyone to improve their quality of life at any age and level of fitness.

Other interests: I love keeping fit and enjoy weight training, body weight training, yoga and walking along with Pilates.  I also have a keen interest in nutrition and how it supports our overall health and wellbeing.

Date joined Pilates Place: February 2016

Soraya Fatha

Studio Administrator

About me: Soraya is a freelance artist working within sculpture and multi-media installation. However at Pilates Place you’ll get to know her at the other end of the phone in the studio, helping with your enquiries, taking bookings and managing the schedule as well as helping to maintain the studio paperwork.

Special Pilates interest: Soraya has ‘flat feet’ and am prone to kneecap subluxation, as a result she is exploring the benefits Pilates can provide in strengthening and training the muscles.

Other interests: Arts therapy within health and recovery, theatre, travelling, music, cooking (and eating!)

Date joined Pilates Place: February 2017

Sakine Faulkner

Studio & Mat Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: Stott Pilates certified Mat and Reformer instructor, levels 1 & 2

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Special Pilates interest: Strengthening core muscles in all ages and abilities to enhance and develop good posture, balance and fitness.

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Other interests: Striving to expand Pilates knowledge and expertise. Classical music, gardening, and healthy eating. Member of the Rotary Club of Chipping Norton.

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Date joined Pilates Place: February 2018

Ellie Higgs

Web, Marketing, & Communications

About me: Ellie built this website, and is responsible for all email communications with our members and looking after our online booking system, MindBody.

Special Pilates interest: Ellie slipped a disc in her lower back which is now stable with the help of regular Pilates sessions.

Other interests: When she isn't doing Pilates, Ellie is an academic researcher working in gender and religion. She is interested in vegan food, travelling, and 'health at every size'.

Date joined Pilates Place: March 2014

Maura Knight

Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: 10 years as a Pilates teacher and 20+ years fitness industry experience. Qualified Biomechanics Coach and sport massage therapist.

Special Pilates interest: Designing classes to give you the skills and tools to help you move better in your day to day life. 

Other interests: Cycling, in 2019 completing Bike Oxford and Ride London.

Date joined Pilates Place: 2019

Kathy McCarthy

Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: BSc Sports Science, STOTT PILATES® Instructor in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Barrels, Stability Chair, Polestar Pilates Trained in Rehabilitation, BarreConcept Instructor, Trigger Point Pilates Level 2 instructor, ZEN•GA™ (fascial fitness) Equipment Certified Instructor, Pink Ribbon Certified Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Exercise Specialist, REPs Level 3 Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Level 2 Coach.

Special Pilates interest: I am particularly interested in women’s wellness, and have trainined with mbodies Academy in osteoporosis, Pilates for menopause, breast cancer rehabilitation, and pelvic floor health. As a Deep Tissue and Holistic Massage Therapist, I’m also fascinated by fascia (connective tissue) - Pilates is ideal for mobilising and releasing this to improve posture and enhance wellbeing and suppleness. Motion is lotion!

Other interests: Spinning, weight training, the outdoors, Nordic Walking, horse riding. I used to own and show basset hounds and was a committee member of the South of England Basset Hound club for years. When I am not being active I love to read or listen to music.

Date joined Pilates Place: January 2020

Joanna Myślicka

Studio & Mat Pilates Teacher

Qualifications: Professional ballet dancer, graduated in 2011 in Warsaw at the National Ballet Academy. Fitness instructor level 2 and Personal Trainer level 3. Pilates mat teacher level 1 and 2. Reformer and chair teacher level 1. 

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Special Pilates interest: I love to help people feel better and see their smile, it gives me a lot of energy and motivation. This is why I decided to it, it is my real passion. I am fascinated in general about healthy life, healthy eating and slow life. I would also like to delve further into the subject of therapeutic Pilates correcting bad postures like scoliosis, abnormal kyphosis, feet deformations and hips problems etc.

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Other interests: Yoga, meditation, a good gym workout, rollers, cycling, swimming, dancing. Spain… its culture, language, people, food, sun, and sea. Also Chinese medicine, herbal infusions, reflexology, massages, and a good book!

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Date joined Pilates Place: January 2020

Beverley Smith

U3A Class Teacher

Qualifications: Mat-based Pilates, Mat Pilates Improver, Gym Instructor, Torso Training and Core Stability, Nutrition and Weight Management, Nutrition for Sport and Exercise, Client Psychology and Motivation, FABS (Move It or Lose It) – training principles, planning and delivery of exercise for older adults.

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Special Pilates interest: Active aging, functional fitness and fall prevention, working with the over 50s to ensure they remain fit, healthy and independent into their old age.

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Other interests: Gardening, walking, and the importance of food and nutrition for good health. 

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Date joined Pilates Place: September 2017

Gill Wright

Mat Class Teacher

Qualifications: Body Control Pilates Level 3 Matwork Pilates; Pilates Props (Bands, Balls, Rollers, Pilates Rings); Body Control Matwork Evolution; Emergency First Aid at Work

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Special Pilates interest: Teaching clients how to improve their mobility, flexibility, strength and posture and restore balance to the body and seeing the impressive results Pilates can achieve. Expanding my knowledge of Pilates further with Continuous Professional Development.

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Other interests: Gill enjoys cycling around the local country lanes on her Pashley bicycle, to get some fresh air and get the oxygen pumping! Caring for her dogs and horses; and doing the admin for her family antiques business.

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Date joined Pilates Place:  January 2019