NualaCoombs
about me
A little bit about me, my life and my experiences in the Pilates and fitness industry.
How far back do you want to go? 1979 I started my first business, Teaching “Disco Fit” in church halls in the South of England. In 1982 I opened my first studio, teaching Aerobics a la Jane Fonda. We were all leg warmers and sweat bands! It wasn’t long before I needed to move to bigger premises. That was when I added a gym.
I experienced Step classes in Los Angeles. I was the first person in the UK to offer those classes. Back then The Step didn’t exist. I asked a local boat builder to make me hollow boxes out of fibreglass. They were great. An improvement on the wooden boxes with carpet on the top I had used at the Karen Voight studios in LA!
PILATES?
I don’t remember exactly when I took my first Pilates class – probably around 1985 or so. I would travel to London one day a week to attend Aerobics at Pineapple West, then onto Lotte Berk’s studio in Dover Street and finally to Alan Herman’s Pilates studio in Homer Row. At that time I was not interested in teaching – I was just enjoying my day off!
Fast forward to 1999. I teamed up with Michael King and Malcolm Muirhead to develop the Pilates Institute, London. By then I had trained with Michael and sold my gym in Hampshire. During the years the Pilates Institute, London was growing, we developed the first National qualification in Pilates the World had seen – a level 2 RSA Certificate. It was a first – we were proud.
VIVE LA FRANCE
In 2008 I relocated to the South of France to return to my roots. Teaching clients on a daily basis as well as helping teachers with their career choices. I opened my studio in the village La Garde Freinet, where I live, life is good. I’ve returned to what I love; working with clients to help them improve their daily lives. Teachers newly trained and experienced who want practical, realistic advice about how to develop their skills come to me for advice. I'm happy to offer insight after more that 25 years teaching Pilates.
One thing I’ve learned over the years – start before you’re ready – when the passion for the work hits you – there's always more experiences to have or qualifications to get, but nothing works better than just doing it……..
I experienced Step classes in Los Angeles. I was the first person in the UK to offer those classes. Back then The Step didn’t exist. I asked a local boat builder to make me hollow boxes out of fibreglass. They were great. An improvement on the wooden boxes with carpet on the top I had used at the Karen Voight studios in LA!
PILATES?
I don’t remember exactly when I took my first Pilates class – probably around 1985 or so. I would travel to London one day a week to attend Aerobics at Pineapple West, then onto Lotte Berk’s studio in Dover Street and finally to Alan Herman’s Pilates studio in Homer Row. At that time I was not interested in teaching – I was just enjoying my day off!
Fast forward to 1999. I teamed up with Michael King and Malcolm Muirhead to develop the Pilates Institute, London. By then I had trained with Michael and sold my gym in Hampshire. During the years the Pilates Institute, London was growing, we developed the first National qualification in Pilates the World had seen – a level 2 RSA Certificate. It was a first – we were proud.
VIVE LA FRANCE
In 2008 I relocated to the South of France to return to my roots. Teaching clients on a daily basis as well as helping teachers with their career choices. I opened my studio in the village La Garde Freinet, where I live, life is good. I’ve returned to what I love; working with clients to help them improve their daily lives. Teachers newly trained and experienced who want practical, realistic advice about how to develop their skills come to me for advice. I'm happy to offer insight after more that 25 years teaching Pilates.
One thing I’ve learned over the years – start before you’re ready – when the passion for the work hits you – there's always more experiences to have or qualifications to get, but nothing works better than just doing it……..