Move and feel better with Anita Benoit Pilates

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My Pilates classes are suitable for most people as I layer each exercise to offer a range of options to challenge yourself. My sessions will help improve your mobility, strength, balance and posture so that you feel more positive in your body's capabilities both inside and outside of sessions. We move the spine in every direction to balance repetitive movement patterns of every day life. My aim is to empower people with movement choices and to guide you to having more understanding of how your body moves, so you get stronger more confidently.

I believe community is an important part of the group exercise experience and you will be made to feel welcome at all times. My classes provide a friendly, non-judgmental and relaxed space where there is no pressure, just progress at your own pace. I offer modifications as appropriate for injuries/aches and pains so you will receive a personalised approach within a group class setting. 

Pilates is a form of body/mind movement where we move mindfully, paying attention to our breathing and how the body is feeling then adapting accordingly. Each session finishes with a 5 minute mindfulness based meditation where we step out of 'doing mode' to encourage calm and stillness. This helps release tension, promoting an overall feeling of peace and wellbeing to take with us when we leave the class.

I qualified as a Pilates Instructor in 2019 after changing career when I was made redundant whist raising my young children. I had discovered the benefits of Pilates myself through experiencing recurrent lower back pain and found that classes helped hugely so decided to train to help others.

I have a degree in Youth and Community work and worked in Local Authority helping to empower and advocate on behalf of those facing barriers in diverse areas and communities. This is why I feel strongly about helping remove some of the barriers people often face to exercise and why I believe in the power of exercising amongst a community of like-minded others.

I am also qualified to teach Mindfulness which I blend with my Pilates sessions to boost well-being and am beginning to offer monthly mindfulness classes where you can explore further how mindfulness can help you.

 My relevant certifications are as follows:

• Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) Certified Mat Work Pilates Instructor 
• Functional Rehabilitation & Exercise Training After Stroke with the ARNI Institute (Action Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury). Level 4.
• Certificate in Mindfulness Teaching, Mindfulness Now (UK College of Mindfulness Meditation)
• Level 3 Pilates Diploma, Future Fit 
• Level 3 Award: Designing Pre and Post Natal Exercise Programmes, Future Fit
• Course: Neuro-Pilates (APPI)
• Course: Kids & Teens Pilates (APPI)
• Course: Pilates for Common Orthopaedic Conditions (Future Fit)
• Course: Pilates and the Menopause (APPI)
• Course: Pilates and Mindfulness (APPI)
• Course: Pilates with small equipment (Future Fit)