About Karen
"Karen will guide you towards your best in every class"
About Me
Hello, my name is Karen & I run weekly Pilates classes in the beautiful village of Balcombe, Sussex.
I love to help people feel better in their bodies, move well, stand tall & reduce their aches & pains. It's my goal to share the many benefits of Pilates with my clients no matter their age, experience or fitness levels & teach them how to stay strong, avoid injuries & prevent or manage wear-&-tear in their joints.​
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Qualified Body Control Pilates® Teacher, Back4Good® Practitioner & Advanced Buff Bones® Instructor
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Having qualified with the highly respected Body Control Pilates®, I am privileged to be teaching a form of exercise with a proven track record & one that is so often recommended by physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors & podiatrists.
I am also an Advanced Buff Bones® Instructor excited to bring this amazing US Bone & Joint Health programme to Balcombe. ​
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10 years on from my initial training with Body Control Pilates® I now have many tools under my belt to help you achieve your fitness goals, manage chronic conditions & restore that inner strength that Pilates is so famous for.
By joining a class or working with me in our 1:1 sessions you can take that first step to feeling empowered with knowledge about your body & equipped with skills for enhancing your mobility & wellbeing.
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Teaching Intelligent Exercise & Nourishing Movement Since 2014​
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My story
Teaching has always been a part of my adult life. As an HR consultant in my early career, a large part of my role involved designing and delivering training courses in Selection & Recruitment methods. Helping others to understand new concepts and learn new skills that enabled them to immediately improve what they did, always filled me with great satisfaction. I loved finding new and innovative ways of explaining and communicating ideas which could be quickly understood and remembered.
Earlier still, my training as a Dance Teacher (qualifying with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance), enabled me to focus on the teaching of movement. Having studied Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz dance throughout my childhood and teenage years, it was a delight to learn how to pass these skills and love of dance onto others in a fun and creative way. During this time, I also developed a keen interest in human anatomy and how the body could be developed safely, without risk of injury.
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​In the years that followed, I discovered Pilates as a powerful way to maintain strength, mobility, and balance. Over time, Pilates has not only enhanced my physical fitness but has also greatly improved my body awareness, balance, and strength—far beyond what I had experienced before.
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Qualified Body Control Pilates® Teacher
​In 2013 I was pleased to study with the highly respected Body Control Pilates® and qualify as a Level 3 Matwork teacher. I am a member of the Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA), hold a current CPR certificate and regularly undertake further professional development to ensure that my skills and knowledge are always increasing and remain in line with current best practice. ​
Since qualifying in 2014, I have attended many further courses with Body Control Pilates®, including:
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Pilates for Low Back Pain (Back4Good® Practitioner)
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Pilates for Bone Health (Level 3 Qualification in Understanding Pilates and its Impact on Bone Health)
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Pilates for the Older Person (Level 3 Qualification in Physical Activity (Pilates) and Health Considerations for the Older Adult)
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Pilates for Pregnancy (Ante-natal and Post-natal)
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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 & how Pilates can help
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Precision of Movement
and the following courses with other movement training providers: ​
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MovNat® Mobility Course
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Gait Happens - Gait Foundations: Managing Common Presentations of the Foot
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Gait Happens - Managing Bunions & The Sole Switch Pro
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Of-Course Online, including:
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Functional Anatomy & Biomechanics,
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Shoulder Stabilisation,
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Hip Stability,
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Lower Abdominal Activation,
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Knee Stability,
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Safe Sacroiliac Joint Training,
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Degree level qualifications:
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BSc (Hons) Psychology (1st) - University of Birmingham,
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MSc Occupational Psychology - City University​
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I’ve been practising Pilates for nearly 30 years, attending classes with individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Over this time, I’ve witnessed firsthand how versatile and transformative the method can be, and I am firmly convinced of its benefits for everyone. I love how Pilates exercises can be adapted to suit any body type or ability, and how a few simple yet carefully executed movements can have a profound impact on how we stand, walk, and feel in our everyday lives.
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In my classes, I aim to teach in an engaging and creative way, introducing new movement skills step-by-step, gradually building competence and confidence with clear explanations, demonstrations and practise. My goal is to help you carry these skills & knowledge into your daily routine, improving your movement, health, and overall well-being.
Regardless of your age, background, or fitness level, I hope my Pilates classes help you feel better, move more freely, and enjoy the activities you love - for as long as you possibly can.
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