Ann De Vos

I was born in Belgium and moved to London when I was 18 to join The Royal Ballet where I started my own Pilates journey. Eight years later I went back to Belgium and worked in my family’s restaurant. Missing the dance world, I decided to train as a contemporary dancer with the result of working in various renowned companies around Europe. At the age of 36 I decided to stop dancing and trained to become a Pilates instructor through BASI (Body Arts and Science International), which brought me back to London with our baby Milo. I first started teaching in my living room and in 2014 opened Pilates Living N16.

I love working alongside other teachers, sharing, connecting through movement and enjoying the time we spent together. We learn from each other in more ways than one. I often remind my teachers to connect to the person in front of them as a human being and not just a BODY. I think you can be at your best when you find that intimate relationship between teacher and student. We’re all learning every day, because there’s no format in teaching . Every person is unique and needs a unique approach. My aim is to give clients a positive movement experience.

Roberta Pitre

Roberta began practising Pilates as part of her daily training as a professional dancer and after having experienced the positive effects of this practise on her own body she decided to train as a Pilates teacher in 2011; completing her matwork qualification with BASI (Body Art and Science). She went on to study with A-M Zulkary at PYM learning about the studio equipment and later gained her apparatus qualification with Lisa Bradshaw Director of Education for Body Control, one of Europe’s biggest Pilates teacher training organisation. Roberta”s sense of discipline and precision coming from her dance training together with her interest in somatic movement, greatly influence her teaching. Her class are safe and dynamic and focus on alignment and the awakening of all the senses to find a deeper connection within the body, re-distribute tension and ultimately making you feel better equipped to face the mechanical stress of our daily life.

 Paola Grasso 

Paola has completed her Yoga and Meditation qualification in 2016. Practicing since 2011 during her self-exploration, she fell in love with the Yogic philosophy, awakening a balanced and harmonious state. After a back injury in 2017, she decided to deepen her practice and add more knowledge to her experience, training with Polestar Pilates as a Mat, reformer and comprehensive Pilates teacher. Her obsession and attention to correct alignment give the perfect support and safe environment, to all levels of students. She has a deep passion, compassion and understanding for spine pathology, as she has physically experienced herself and her aim is for her clients to leave the class with the sensation of feeling taller, stronger, energised and of course pain-free.

The combination of training and personal experience has made her understand and appreciate her body and its limitations. She finds Pilates, especially the Polestar Pilates Method, a soft approach to a new way of rehabilitation, building strength and core stability, improving flexibility and muscles balance, combining it with good understating of breath work. 

Alison Bray

I initially pursued a legal career which never felt right, so I changed track completely and started studying contemporary dance at Laban. There was a wonderful Pilates and anatomy course on the curriculum which introduced me to the idea of teaching a form of exercise to incorporate the best of dance training and make it available to everyone. 

20 Years ago, I took Alan Herdman's rehab-based Pilates course. After working for him, I went to a Stott studio to learn a more comprehensive style and have worked in studios all over London, which has given me a rich and rewarding experience in teaching people from  hugely varied backgrounds with differing needs and goals. I have taught dancers at Laban and The Place, circus artists, young footballers as well as pregnant women and I've created chair-based exercises for seniors and people recovering from strokes. Pilates is truly for everyone!

I continue taking courses to stay updated and am happy teaching pre and post natal women, people with osteoporosis and arthritis and I have a particular interest in hyper-mobility.

I have also developed an interest in the classical Pilates style. I still attend dance class and occasionally perform as a circus artist. Pilates has helped me enormously in being able to continue my passions as I get older.

Jana Janezic

I was born in Slovenia where I grew up and danced Ballet professionally as well as studied Economics ( Political Economy ) at the University.

I came to the UK having been awarded a talent grant to study Musical Theatre at London Studio Centre and continued with Ballet at RAD - Royal Academy of Dance . My dance studies also took me to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York USA.

Upon gaining my degree in Slovenia, the opportunity to accept an award to study in London became my true passion and I decided to take this path rather than applying for jobs at the parliament. I had a rather satisfying, happy and long dance career which I enjoyed.

I discovered Pilates method at a very young age through my ballet training and work. I profoundly fell in love with the wholesome nature of the Pilates method and all the health benefits it has to offer. It has successfully prevented injuries in my dance career.

I first studied with Polestar Pilates and then fully Certified with Stott Pilates. My next path would be becoming an Instructor Trainer ( teaching new generations of students to become instructors ) which is something I would like to consider. Studying the Pilates method never ends and despite having studied for a life time with many masters and methodically diverse teachings, from Classical to Contemporary, Rehabilitating and Innovative as in Fletcher methods, I always feel there is more to learn each day. I especially enjoy working with other instructors and sharing our passion of looking after people together.

I also specialised in Athletic Conditioning and Performance Enhancement for Dancers and Elite Athletes which I presume developed from my dance career and competitive sports experience in Tae-Kwon-Do and Figure Skating. I still participate in Figure Skating with joy.

And Post Rehabilitation inspired by my mother who was a Rehabilitation Specialist Physician for brain stroke and severe spinal injuries. I spent a lot of time with her observing her work and her contribution internationally, which always reminded me of how important and also fragile our physical health is and can be. Therefore I like to focus on helping people achieve and maintain their unique, best possible mind and body balance.

Ria Rucinska

I am a Dance Artist and Pilates Instructor. I graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a First Class Honours Degree and continued my postgraduate training with BASI Pilates in both mat and equipment. I have trained in clinical practise and worked alongside physiotherapists for the past 8 years, working with clients from varying backgrounds, from dancers to office workers and keen sports enthusiasts. Having reaped the benefits of incorporating Pilates into both my professional and day-to-day life, I am an enthusiastic and passionate advocate for the practise.

Dionne Wong

Dionne is a Polestar-certified Pilates instructor in mat and equipment. She has taught pilates extensively in London and Singapore, in private and group settings. She is also a Physiotherapist who graduated from the University of East London. She currently works as a Physio in the Women's Pelvic Health team at Homerton University Hospital NHS. Her interests lie in women's pelvic health, sports injury, and neurology.