Meet Karen
"Karen will guide you towards your best in every class"
About Me
I teach Pilates in the beautiful village of Balcombe, Sussex, where I run small, friendly classes and Private Pilates sessions.
I’m fascinated by how the body works and by the difference that small changes in the way we move can make. I love helping people understand their bodies, develop useful movement skills and feel more confident in what they can do.
My aim is not simply to teach you a series of exercises, but to help you understand how and why you are moving - so you can use those skills beyond the Pilates studio.
Teaching Intelligent Exercise & Nourishing Movement Since 2014
My background
Teaching Movement, Building Confidence
Teaching has been a consistent thread throughout my adult life.
My journey began training as a Dance Teacher with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. Having studied Ballet, Tap, Modern, and Jazz throughout my childhood and teenage years, it was a joy to pass on that knowledge - and love of dance - to others in fun, accessible ways. This early experience deepened my appreciation for the teaching of movement and sparked a lasting fascination with anatomy - especially how the body works.
Degrees in Psychology and Occupational Psychology further shaped my understanding of how people think, learn and develop. This led naturally into a career in HR and Change Management, where I specialised in communication strategy and in designing and delivering training programmes around selection, assessment, and recruitment.
I found real satisfaction in helping others build practical skills that they could apply immediately and particularly enjoyed finding ways to make complex ideas easy to understand and remember.
As the physical demands of sedentary desk work and a daily commute began to take their toll, I turned to Pilates to help relieve my aches and restore some balance. What began as a way to support my own health soon developed into a much deeper passion. Pilates (and my brilliant teacher Jo Strutt from Bridgeham Clinic) transformed my body awareness, strength and mobility - and reignited my love of movement and teaching.
After a career break to look after my two young children, I was ready for a new chapter. Bringing together everything I had learned through movement, psychology, teaching and my own experience of Pilates, becoming a Pilates teacher felt like a natural fit.
My approach to teaching Pilates
I’ve been practising Pilates for over 30 years, alongside people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. During that time, I’ve come to appreciate just how adaptable the method can be and how much it can teach us about our bodies.
I’m particularly interested in the connections between different parts of the body and in helping people understand what they are doing, rather than simply copying an exercise. A small change in how you stand, breathe, move your feet or organise your spine can change how a movement feels, and how easily you can use that movement in everyday life.
I teach in a clear, encouraging and creative way, using explanations, demonstrations, imagery and plenty of practice to help new movement skills make sense. I love those little “ah-ha” moments when something suddenly clicks.
My aim is for what you learn in class to become useful outside of class, whether that's when you're walking, gardening, working at a desk, playing sport or simply going about your day.
Ultimately, I want my classes to help you feel more at home in your body, move with greater ease and confidence, and keep doing the things you enjoy for as long as possible.
My Qualifications
Qualified Body Control Pilates® Teacher
In 2014, I qualified as a Level 3 Matwork teacher with the highly respected Body Control Pilates® and have been a proud member of the Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA) ever since.
I am a Registered Society for the Pilates Method Teacher, hold a current CPR certificate and continue to invest in professional development so that my teaching keeps evolving alongside my understanding of movement, anatomy and current evidence.
Over the years, I've continued to build on my original training through specialist courses and qualifications with Body Control Pilates®, Active IQ and other movement education providers, including:
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Pilates for Low Back Pain (Back4Good® Practitioner)
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Pilates for Bone Health (Level 3 Active IQ)
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Pilates for Older Adults (Level 3 Active IQ)
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Pre- & Postnatal Pilates (Level 3 Active IQ)
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Exercise Strategies for Diastasis Recti
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Hypopressives for Pilates Teachers
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Pilates and the Menopause
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Pilates and Hypermobility
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Musculoskeletal Disorders and How Pilates Can Help
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Pilates for Prostate Cancer
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Gait Happens - Gait Foundations, Managing Bunions, Sole Switch Pro
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Of-Course Online Pilates - Functional Anatomy & Biomechanics, Shoulder Stabilisation, Hip Stability, Lower Abdominal Activation, Knee Stability, Safe Sacroiliac Joint Training
My academic background in Psychology and Occupational Psychology has also influenced the way I teach - particularly my interest in how people learn, understand information and develop new skills.
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BSc (Hons) Psychology (First Class) – University of Birmingham
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MSc Occupational Psychology – City University, London
