“If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young”.
— Joseph Pilates
Gaynor Coward
I trained as a professional dancer at The Laban Centre and co-founded the contemporary dance company The Cholmondeleys, with Lea Anderson and Teresa Barker. I performed in all live and film work from 1984 - 1997. I also co-directed and choreographed the Merseyside based company Fishpool alongside David Waring (1990-1997).
After moving to Bristol in 1997, I continued to teach professional independent dance classes as well as teaching ‘A’ level dance. I also taught dance and Pilates on the BA Dance course at Bath Spa University.
I am a fully comprehensive Pilates teacher (mat and equipment) and trained with Suzanne Scott (current England men’s football team conditioning coach) in 2000. I worked at Bristol University Sports Medicine Centre for 15 years before moving to Otley in West Yorkshire where I now teach matclasses and own and run the Pilates In Motion equipment studio.
My history of working with movement as a dancer, dance teacher, choreographer and Pilates teacher all inform my approach and passion, to explore movement possibilities for all ages and abilities. I continue to update my knowledge with up to date scientific research to work safely and in the most efficient way, tailoring the exercises for each person to help you keep strong and active without causing stress to your back.
Leiko Miura
I was a professional dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet for 10 years, and after my ballet career I trained and worked as a Pilates instructor with Alan Herdman who opened the first Pilates studio in UK in early 1970’s. I have been teaching since 2000 and experienced teaching a wide variety of people of all ages and varying lifestyles.
I spent 8 years working at a physiotherapy clinic in London and have gained a great deal of experience in understanding individual body awareness.
My precise approach and attention to detail has helped many clients to reflect and adjust their habitual movements in order to strengthen the weaker muscles that are found to be the most
challenging to activate.
As I am hypermobile myself, I have a great interest and understanding of people who struggle with their hypermobility.