PilatesGracehillstudios

10/05/2023

10/05/2023

Don't know where to start with Pilates?
Start on the Mat!

A perfect way to understand the basics of Pilates and different movements incorporated throughout each session.
gracehillstudios.com

02/05/2023

Regardless of the class you decide to choose, my team and I will help you through the process. Meeting you where you're at each step of the way!

02/05/2023

In need of some self-care? Offering Tower/Reformer and Mat classes at Grace Hill Studios.

Book here: https://www.gracehillstudios.com/

See you in the studios!

09/05/2022

02/04/2022

A few days ago I said a tearful goodbye to my clients at , a place where I had been teaching for almost 9 years and where a few of the clients that day have been with me from the beginning. Like many of the clients that came and stayed, a majority first came due to back pain and quickly realised Pilates isn't just for back pain - which seems to be how it is portrayed in every magazine article and usually the only time Pilates is mentioned.
I have seen clients through pregnancy, postnatal, menopause, cancer, training for triathlons, rugby, football, relationship break ups and old age to name a few. Maybe at first Pilates can seem slow as you get to know the foundations, but soon it progresses into fluid movements. I have always said Pilates doesn't get easier, it gets harder as you rewire and repattern your body into more organic movements.
I myself reluctantly came into Pilates through injury from doing dance, yoga and sport. When I discovered Pilates in my early 20's I was at the tail end of a very destructive eating disorder that had seen me hospitalised 3 times. It was Pilates that finally made me appreciate my body for what it is, each session discovering my internal strength, suppleness and calming my parasympathetic nervous system. I love yoga but definitely at that time, and often still do, I found it too competitive, pushing my body into positions when it wasn't ready or due to my time of the month when my body was already too supple causing injury.
Pilates when trained right, sees every single body individually, modifying and adapting to that body's needs and accepting some bodies will never do certain exercises.
Pilates isn't just for toned abs like classes taught in gyms, Joseph Pilates himself studied yoga, martial arts, boxing and the movement of animals, in particular large cats, studying their primal movements, and this can be seen in the Pilates environment.
I also studied Somatics with and like to incorporate this into my teaching and my own practice. For many years I have taught by the energy of the moon and the seasons although I never said anything about this to my clients as it wasn't as mainstream as it is now. So with the Yin energy of the dark and new moon it would be more floor based and Somatics and the Yang energy of the fuller moon moving towards classical pilates and standing work, and similar practice with the seasons.
Training with has allowed me to teach both classically and contemporary.
I would like to get the word out Pilates isn't just for back pain, toned abs or so controlled in its teachings. Pilates is a lifestyle, helping you with every day tasks, being more aware of your alignment in more dynamic yoga and dance classes, and supporting you throughout all stages in your life.
Leaving Whitstable although very sad it will allow me to concentrate fully on my Pilates studio in Folkestone offering more classes and workshops and giving me the energy to return to my Acupuncture studies......

attend Andrea’s class with a group of people with varied needs and abilities that change weekly with the various problems that we all have.

It’s a really enjoyable class, always interesting, fun and varied but also tailored to each individual and how they are that day. Andrea is always aware of what we can manage and what we need to work on to the finest detail. She makes sure that we are working safely and although it can be challenging it is never beyond our capabilities. Her knowledge of Anatomy, Pilates and Movement is amazing. A class with Andrea is not just exercises it’s almost a treatment that gradually changes you for the better.

Isabelle Bassett

Occupational therapist

I have attended both Clinical Pilates and mat classes for 25 years in both

Australia and the UK. However, despite some benefits, it was not until I started with Andrea that my body really ‘got’ Pilates. Andrea’s expertise and attention to detail is exceptional. She can spot the tensing of an errant muscle through the back of her head and thus is able to tailor every movement to each individual client. Andrea ensures that she is up to date with new training and techniques and is quick to put into practice those that are beneficial to her clients. Her unique blend of wit and good humour make her classes a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Her flexibility, professionalism and skill make them essential to my health and wellbeing.

Dr Kerris Myers

“I have been doing Pilates for approx. 10 years mainly to help with my back pain and my flexibility. 4 years ago I joined Andrea’s classes at The Pilates Studio Whitstable and immediately found the method that she uses to be very different to anything that I had done before. The exercises ‘reach the parts others didn’t’. Andrea’s classes that I attend are challenging, very stimulating and fun and small enough for Andrea to take into account each individual’s needs. I now have more flexibility, structure and strength and a much deeper awareness of my body and as a result I am progressively fitter, more active and virtually pain free. I attend regularly the Improvers class and the Ball class, and have also attended some Equipment classes which are amazing.”

Linda Eames

17/02/2022

Super excited to be introducing Mat-classes as well as adding more Studio equipment classes at GraceHill Studios

Book via https://www.gracehillstudios.com/bookonline

Do contact me directly if you have any questions.

31/01/2022

Beginners Mat Class Starting soon Studios

22/10/2021

The newly renovated loft studio is now offering Pilates Mat classes.
🎉 Beginners course with new instructor Francisco (more info to follow)
🎉 Mixed ability class
🎉 Somatic based Mat class

22/10/2021

27/09/2021

I have moved to Gracehill Studios https://www.gracehillstudios.com/the-studio
I can now offer larger group classes and when the Loft studio opens next week, start teaching mat classes.
Very excited, this has been a year of hard work renovating an old Victorian building in the town centre.
I will be working alongside Cher Hart The Sandgate Clinic - Osteopathy and Wellbeing

22/09/2021

17/05/2021

https://www.gracehillstudios.com/

Making progress with the refurbishment and the website.
Here is a sneak preview

We're currently renovating a spacious Victorian building located in the heart of Folkestone, close to popular cafes, restaurants, and independent shops.

14/03/2021

I’m so excited to finally share with you what we’ve been working on lately!

Next week I’m running a FREE masterclass for anyone who wants to learn more about HIGH IMPACT EXERCISE AND YOUR PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH - WHY you need a rehab programme before you exercise after having a baby (whether that was 6 weeks or 16 years ago) and what steps you can take to avoid causing pelvic floor dysfunction by exercising in a way that you aren’t ready for. We will talk about how to exercise in a way that will strengthen the pelvic floor and improve abdominal separation and how to understand your body better to be able to stay active and healthy for the rest of your life!

If you are running but leaking along the way, leaking when you laugh sneeze or cough but wanting to get back to your HIIT class when the gyms open or if you haven’t done much postnatal exercise but are keen to get back to it in a way that feels safe and aligns with how you are feeling this information is WHAT YOU NEED.

The class will be on Thursday 18th March at 8pm.
This free class focuses specifically on what markers you need to be aware of when thinking about high impact exercise. I’ll take you through the exact process I use with my clients who manage to stop leaking, close abdominal separation and feel able to run, jump and laugh without worrying any more.

It’s completely free, you can join me from the comfort of your own home and there will be a live Q&A plus a fun announcement at the end.
Grab your seat here or at the link in my bio 👉🏻 https://mailchi.mp/2983fdf18fab/7jkfxetqr0

13/02/2021

A different kind of Cat Stretch!

Meet Cat one of our instructors. She teaches on Mondays at 5:30pm, Wednesday 9am and Friday at 9:30am.

Cat has taught with us for some years now and we are so lucky to have her amazing teaching.

Cat is also currently training in Somatic Movement Therapy (a gentle way of moving the body and connecting the mind) on top of her training for both mat and studio equipment. Along side this Cat is now assisting in training the next generation of Pilates Instructors. She really is a busy 🐝

The level of experience and knowledge Cat has allows her to provide a wide variety of exercise making it

If you haven’t tried one of Cat’s classes bows your chance! Follow the link https://www.thepilatesstudiowhitstable.co.uk/book/ to get booked on.