Instructors

MANAGING DIRECTOR & SENIOR TEACHER (BSc Hons, REPs Level 3)

Ben is the Founder of Pilates Works. After schooling in Edinburgh he went to Loughborough University studying Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreational Management. Ben set up Excel Sports Academy in 1996 which offers childrens sports camps in Edinburgh. After a brief spell in leisure club management he trained with the world famous Lynne Robinson of Body Control Pilates in London graduating in 2001.

Ben works with many rehabilitation clients and is passionate about helping Scottish athletes perform to the best of their abilities. He has worked with Olympic Skaters John and Sinead Kerr and The Heart of Midlothian Football Team, and both amateur and professional golfers. He is currently working with the NHS Dental postgraduate education programme to teach back care courses throughout Scotland. He also had a brief glimpse of t.v. stardom appearing on UK Living for t.v. personality and GMTV resident nutritionist Amanda Hamilton’s Detox camps.

Ben is rugby enthusiast having represented Scotland while at school. He is also a keen amateur golfer although for one with such a good posture and balance he still finds it difficult to keep the ball on the fairway.

Bens favourite piece of equipment is the theraband.

STUDIO AND MATWORK INSTRUCTOR (REPs Level 3)

Brett discovered Pilates after a fifteen-year career as a chef in his native Australia and the UK. He was inspired to become a teacher after Pilates helped him manage longstanding back pain gained from years working in the harsh physical environment of the kitchen.

He trained in London with the co-founder of Body Control Pilates, Gordon Thompson, and qualified in March 2004. He has since achieved both Intermediate and Advanced Classical matwork certification and is qualified to teach clients on the Reformer in the studio. He is also trained in pre and post-natal Pilates and works with many mums-to-be both in the studio and matwork classes.

As his clients know Brett is no stranger to pain and has a natural empathy with rehabilitation work. He is equally well known for his love of tough core stability and balance work on small apparatus. He is a fan of the Franklin method and now incorporates release, self-massage and challenging co-ordination exercises into his sessions.

Brett attends many workshops for continuing development and has been particularly inspired by the teachings of Lolita San Miguel, one of Joseph Pilates’ original ‘disciples’. Brett hopes to be moving with half as much grace and vigour for life when he hits 73.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST STUDIO AND MATWORK INSTRUCTOR (MSc REPS Level 3)

Cameron is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist who trained as a Pilates teacher with Body Control in 2003 after being introduced to the technique clinically whilst working with performers.

Cameron has gone on to complete his Pilates reformer course with Stott Pilates. He has extensive experience in bodywork, performance and rehabilitation. Widely travelled as a physiotherapist and athlete he has taught pilates in some very different locations, whilst Ben gets to Italy, Cameron taught in Iraq and Afghanistan!

Cameron has an MSc in Ergonomics and is able to apply suitable exercise and advice to enhance how we live our lives in all areas. He is always looking to allow people to get the best out of themselves through movement and body awareness.

He has proved himself completely mad having completed Ironman Triathlon in the past (enough said). Whilst embracing the traditional work of Joseph Pilates Cameron also brings his own unique blend.

MATWORK INSTRUCTOR (REPs Level 3)

Jan joined Pilates Works as a matwork instructor in January 2007 after qualifying with the Body Control Pilates Training Academy in London. She is also qualified in Pilates for pregnancy and enjoys helping clients of all ages, abilities and fitness levels to gain strength and make the most of their physiques.

Jan discovered Pilates after over 20 years sitting at a desk and juggling phones as a marketing and press officer. She credits the method with keeping her own shoulder problems at bay and improving strength and posture. Those close to Jan would agree she advocates it to anyone who will listen. She understands the negative effects of sedentary work first-hand and believes Pilates is the ideal exercise programme for rebalancing mind and body.

She is also a keen rock climber who will fasten into her harness at the first opportunity. She is passionate about the benefits of Pilates for fellow climbers and is currently developing a specialist programme with Pilates Works.

Jan’s favourite piece of Pilates equipment is the Toning Circle or, as she puts it, the ‘Torture Ring’.

STUDIO AND MATWORK INSTRUCTOR (BA Hons Dance, REPs Level 3)

Karen began professional dance training at 15-years-old. She trained for four years at Edinburgh’s Telford College and gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance. During her dance training she performed extensively, touring throughout the UK and working with professional companies such as X Factor Dance Company and Scottish Dance Theatre. She trained in dance styles as diverse as jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, contemporary and creative movement/choreography.

It was whilst training that Karen was bitten by the Pilates bug after taking part in weekly classes to improve technique, posture and help with injury prevention. After graduating Karen began her dance teaching career instructing all ages and abilities in all from ballet to hip-hop. In October 2005 Karen completed comprehensive Pilates matwork and equipment training at Total Body Approach, Edinburgh.

She has since qualified to work with pre and post-natal clients and those with osteoporosis. Karen works mainly in our Edinburgh studio where she is known as a passionate and energetic instructor. She also works with the first team at Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

Karen’s favourite piece of Pilates equipment is definitely the foam roller, as you can’t cheat whilst using it!

STUDIO AND MATWORK INSTRUCTOR (REPS Level 3)

Laura joined Pilates Works as a mat work & equipment instructor in May 2007, after completing her comprehensive Matwork and Equipment training at Total Body Approach in March 2006. Laura discovered Pilates after her remedial and sports massage training lead her to Total Body Approach where she worked for 3 years as Reception Manager / massage therapist and Pilates instructor. Laura has worked along side health professionals such as Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, and other massage therapists and is a NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming ) & Master NLP Practitioner.

Laura is keen to adventure into all new areas of mind body fitness and already works with athletes such as Edinburgh Tri-athletes and golf professionals. She loves learning anything new.

Laura’s favourite piece of Pilates equipment is the Foam Roller

PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND MATWORK INSTRUCTOR BSc (Hons) MCSP’MAPPI

Lynne works as a physiotherapist in Edinburgh having qualified from QMU in 2005. She did her Pilates certification series with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute in London in 2007 and has since trained with the APPI in Ante and Post natal pilates. She also has post graduate training in sports massage.

Lynne’s physiotherapy career has given her extensive experience in musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation, she also currently works as a physio for one of the Edinburgh rugby teams. She worked in the french alps for 6 months to pursue her passion for skiing and snowboarding and is a keen traveller.

Lynne has been enthusiastic about pilates for several years, often using it in treatment sessions, encouraging anyone who will listen to take it up themselves! Lynne’s favourite pieces of equipment are spikey balls.