Pilates - Steff Affleck

Privileged to have been able to spend 3 more days learning (with many lovely people) from the totally inspirational Kathi Ross Nash . She demands such high standards and is so precise in every detail of the work she shares with such passion… and yet is so warm and kind in the way she invites us to think about how we can teach (not correct!) With grateful thanks to Amy Kellow ✨ Classical Pilates Teacher Trainer | Mentor and Daphne Pena at New York Pilates Studio London for organising.
Lovely to meet people I’ve only seen online before!

Interesting week, highlighting exactly how Pilates can meet you where you are on any given day.
😊81 year old after carpal tunnel wrist surgery … good job he practised getting up without using his hands so he could still sit/lie down … and get back up.
😊65 year old after abdominal surgery, used breathing techniques in recovery room, managed to get out of bed using techniques learned getting on/off reformer; confidence regained after doing some pre-Pilates that she was actually still strong enough to lift both legs simultaneously, amongst other things.
😊83 year old (post stroke) discovered balance improves after basic reformer workout … he practises various balance exercises daily, and no longer needs to hold on.
😊84 year old mat client feeling she was holding the class back and should give up until I told her that several younger clients had told me how much she inspired them to want to be like her.😭
😊35 year old smashing the intermediate reformer sequence and moving towards more advanced moves.
😊49 year old loosens up after playing 3 days of golf, stretching out tight hips/back/hamstrings on the wunda chair

If you want to try reformer, just make sure your instructor is very well trained in teaching Pilates, not just in instructing fitness.
Instructing flows/counting is not the same as teaching Pilates. You can work hard in Pilates without pulsing, feeling the burn, the shakes or using multiple props (balls/weights) at the same time. Props are used in Pilates to find a connection so you learn to use that connection without the need for the prop, not just to add complexity for the sake of it.
Comprehensively trained teachers (ie, those trained to teach all the various apparatus that Joseph Pilates invented, of which the Universal Reformer is one piece) will have trained 500-600 hours in person (not a weekend course, or online).

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/04/reformer-pilates-boom-injuries?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQ97otleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR7wC0Q8uN7EkzKIAlIr3duvX6Ir4GxU7fZv1s8z2zBiTQC1s0btYy-R57PVUg_aem_w26GEDrbF9TX2Z_NnNQzBw

‘Wild west’ reformer pilates boom is causing rise in injuries, experts warn Lack of regulation for specialist classes leaves UK fitness enthusiasts at risk, say professional bodies

Love teaching teachers and sharing the love for ❤️❤️

Back to school, back to routine…
Maybe it’s time to try Pilates?

Did you know that Joseph Pilates developed a whole system of exercise, and invented many pieces of apparatus in addition to the popular “Universal Reformer.”

I teach Mat classes and 1:1 or duets (with all apparatus) in Rowney Green.

It’s always worth asking about a teacher’s qualifications and experience if you are starting something new.
My Qualifications:
BA(Hons) degree in Physical Education plus PGCE

Full year apprenticeship in contemporary Pilates in 2006

Fully Comprehensive Classical Pilates training (15 full days (100 hours) in person plus 500 hours logged practice) in 2018/19

PPATT (Pilates Professional Advanced Teacher Training)
15 full days in person in Florida plus 400 hours logged teaching practice plus many hours of study in 2022/23.

In between, many hours of CPD training/zoom classes and more study.

Always a student, always learning!

Www.steffaffleck.co.uk