Teaching Schedule

Privates and Corporate Classes/ Events by Appointment only.
Email mobility.fitness.pilates@gmail.com.

Studio base: Pilates Passion (Bukit Timah Plaza) & Ilies Soma (Holland Village) 

Physio base: Physio Dynamics @ TripleOne Somerset

Home visits available.
For Guild House classes, please liaise directly with the Sports Administrator. 

Teaching group classes at:

Mondays

6pm | Reformer Starter (Virgin Active, DUO Galleria)

7.15pm | Reformer Beginner
-- slight changes for Oct-Nov '19, then resume back--

Tuesdays

12nn | Reformer Intermediate (Virgin Active, DUO Galleria)

Thursdays

7.30am | Reformer Classical (Virgin Active, Holland Village)

8.30am | Reformer Intermediate

Fridays

12.15pm | Reformer Beginner (Virgin Active, Marina One)

1.10pm | Reformer Intermediate

Saturdays
11am | Pilates: Core Strength (NUSS Mandalay Guild House)
12nn | Pilates (Back to Basics)

Sundays 

9am | Pilates: Core Strength (NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House)

Journey of a Pilates Teacher

It's been almost 7 years since I embarked on this journey of teaching pilates... I reckon I would prefer to be identified as a movement teacher who exemplifies mobility and strength through controlled yet power movements... I've been really blessed to meet great teachers over the course of my journey who inspire me to be better than who I was (each time).

My teachers (from left, clockwise): Pilates Elder Mary Bowen who was briefly in Singapore to teach a couple of workshops, showing the long-lasting integrated strength at the age of 85 years; Madeline Black who continues to inspire me with immense passion and conviction to her work; Michael Watson (Anatomy Trains) who always amazes me how connected and amazing our bodies are; Emily Splichal who taught me so much about the foot and the importance of our foundation from the ground up; and Portia Page and Joy Karley whom I have learnt so much from workshops.

    

Thank you Zohreh for bringing Mary Bowen to Singapore!

   

At the Foundation (Essentials) stage of the ASTI program: Legs & Arches

   

So much fun, so much knowledge gained from a week with dearest Madeline Black.

The best part of my job? Learning never ends, because there's so much more to learn. 

Science evolve, the body changes, our environment changes...

Education/ Credentials:

• Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) Graduate (National University of Singapore)
• Specialist Diploma in Sports & Exercise Science (Republic Polytechnic Singapore)
• EIM Singapore Registered Allied Professional (Changi General Hospital)
• Certified STOTT Pilates® Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac & Barrels
• Certified STOTT Pilates® Injuries & Special Populations
• Certified EBFA Barefoot Specialist (Level 2)
• Certified FRCms (Functional Range Conditioning)
• Trained Balanced Body Pilates® (Comprehensive)
• Trained STOTT Pilates® Advanced Mat & Reformer

Mentored by:

• STOTT Pilates® Lead IT (Aust) Chael Hilton (Dec 2015)
• "Gather" (2018) & "Encompass" (2019) by Madeline Black
• Pat Guyton Pilates Conservatory (Summer 2019)

Other includes:

• Anatomy Trains (ASTI Program; Essentials)
• Certified Total Gym® Gravity
• Certified CrossCore® RBT
• Kinetic Link Training Level 1
• ZEN∙GA™ Mat Foundation (under Merrithew™)
• Myofascial Techniques (Presented by Penny Elliot)
• Self-Myofascial Release Technique (Equatorial Adventures)
• Pre-/ Post- Rehab Certified (FIT Singapore)
• Pre-/ Post- Natal Certified (FIT Singapore)
• Trained in Xtend Barre®
• Trained in Peak Pilates Chair
• willPower & grace® (Phase I & II)
• Trained in MOTR^TM
• Trained in Bodhi Suspension System^TM

Pilates for Kids

With more exposure to Pilates as a form of exercise amongst the adult population, I find that there is also an increasing awareness for kids too, if they're typically involved in sports at school. 

In recent years, I have had the opportunity to train kids as young as 10 yo; and to my surprise, synchronized swimming has become such a popular sport with teenage girls, other than netball and volleyball. The boys are more into racket sports like badminton and tennis, or soccer. I mean, WHY NOT? At this age, kids should be out playing sport instead of facing the computer/ IPad.

Below illustrates briefly a child's motor skill development process:

But really, this post came about because today my client asked me for help about training her teenage girl who enjoys synch swimming so much, she wants to improve in her sport (O what tender age 💖) but has been really upset that whenever her coach tries to stretch her (like a reverse pancake), she cries in pain (poor girl). 

This is probably the 4th kid (whom I've encountered for water sports) and I honestly think kids these days have a mix sense of adult instincts to thrive and compete- well I didn't when I was that age HAHA. I think the beauty of synch swimming especially- it's a mix of the fun of gym, the aesthetics of dance, and the athletics of diving and playing in the water. 

I personally feel that while flexibility is a plus at that age, there's a need for purposefully guiding them to know and understand their bodies better. This would mean they can enjoy their sport(s) and stay off the injury zone. While I prefer to teach young adults past 16yo, I am equally glad to empower kids who start from zero to be inspired to participate in a sport and eventually get stronger. 🙂

Furthermore, as Celeste and Howard mentioned in this video (PLEASE WATCH!), 9yo is the peak of a kid's neurological state, and from experience, they really pick up movements fast. "Fun and interactive" is probably the most important element when structuring for a program for teenagers. 

In time to come, I think it will be pretty exciting to see how Pilates will eventually unveil a myriad of benefits and opportunities for kids and sports, and sports for kids, and more. Truly.

In due season

Life is such- there are ups and downs, joys and disappointments, laughter and sorrow, and friends who become absolute strangers. You can't hide the truth, time will tell. You can't hide emotions, because they are real. 

It's interesting how clients (somehow know and) ask; how Di now miles away can somehow sense (and check on me); how of all time, meeting my dear friend A this evening... well, she's probably one of the few who knew me enough because of the time we spent together in our previous workplace, ran together, and shared a deeper spiritual sense than anyone whom we can render "a friend" in this industry. 

I guess that's just who I am, I am what you get. I am grateful for friends who have lent their support and advice that everything will pass. There will come a time (in due season)... Everything happens for a reason, and they remind me how truly blessed I am to know and see a person's credibility before we commit in partnership (sooner now than later). 

Keeping my dream alive, and working towards my goal as priority; I shouldn't let what happened make me that kind of person I don't want to be, and I am certain of the character of a person I wouldn't want to work with. A has always been like a big sister, and I am grateful (always) to have her part of my life, for better or for worse. 💖

Business in Perspective

There're more studios popping out in Singapore, although there are few that couldn't survive the battle and eventually shut their doors. WELL... I think at the end of the day, being part of the process and having a clear direction are important "beginnings" for a (studio) business owner.

That being said, having some time now to visit a couple of friends in their new establishments gave me some insights and ascertained one very important point- there is a fine line between making money (making a living), making people happy (doing your job), and changing lives (living your passion).

I think Betsy did a great job with her set up of ODP with Julie. The natural light and clean set up of the studio set the tone of a friendly, cosy community space where you would hang out with your girlfriends and have a sweaty good time. They were clear that group classes are going to be fun and I appreciated the complementary use of the TRX suspension trainer with the reformer. Other than Club Pilates in USA, I haven't encountered any studios in Singapore that have managed to successfully marry these two. Also, very clear that they want to retain the essence of Pilates, they actually flew to Japan to train with Rebecca- founder of PSM.

Having gone through the process of helping a couple of start ups that try to marry Pilates and fitness, we have to be clear that Pilates is "foundation", working into the body to make it strong. Pilates is not another form of exercise, but it helps to make exercise more effective because of the gain in inner strength and control. If it was another form of exercise for you, what makes you different from the other commercial gyms and studios in the market?

Then there is the other spectrum of the market- Pilates Smith. I admire Regine for her effort to maximize her space and try to make the studio as whole and complete as possible. The set up is clear, their intention is clear- focused on privates and duets (personal attention), no frills, and a space where clients can work out with continuity and consistency. That is also the vision I have for clients' consistency, for them not to be over-reliant, be independent, or simply be open to having another trainer to facilitate their growth and progress.

At the end of the day, as teachers we also need our time to recharge our souls, rest our brains and renew our spirits. We are only human. Working together as a team is not easy, but certainly with the right energy and synchrony amongst good people.