Pilates & Trauma Work

The body exists as communication.

- Maurice Merleau-Ponty

In exploring the interaction between movement and healing, Anna has developed an integrated body-based practice that centres on restoring vitality to the body and facilitating connection to a healthy and imaginative mind, particularly after trauma.

Anna is a certified Classical Pilates Mat instructor, and is undergoing Comprehensive Classical Pilates training, at Pi Studios London under Holly Murray, a student of Romana Kryzanowska. As a member of the Complimentary Therapists Association (CThA) and the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), Anna has participated in Ariel Giarretto’s Somatic training on ‘Healing Sexual Trauma’, using body-based modalities, and is in the final stage of completing her training with SOS Internationale Somatic Experiencing, under Lael Keen, Abi Blakeslee, Pedro Prado, and Giselle Genillard. She is also completing her certification with J Pilates in Pre and Postnatal Pilates.

Anna is the Director of The Willow Institute, a research centre engaged with trauma and the arts, and Director of The JAM Network UK, an arts-mediated community that works with survivors of trafficking. She is currently developing a Social Prescribing Pilot partnership with NHS provision in the Westminster London area. The focus is on chronic pain care for patients who have experienced trauma. It will commence bi-weekly in the Paddington London area, in February 2024.

Trauma-informed online classes are now resuming. For personal and group Somatic Experiencing sessions, or for more information, contact Anna.

Feedback:

‘Anna is a kind, committed and caring Pilates instructor. She made Pilates accessible and life-enhancing.’

- C. S.

‘Anna is a very gracious and skilled Pilates instructor. She has a gift for making you feel at ease and gently pushing you to do more than you thought you could… She is really good at ensuring that your needs and abilities are taken into account, even as she leads a group session. I highly recommend her classes!’

- E. G.

‘Anna was a fantastic teacher and was really great at being conscious of different strengths, experience, listening to peoples’ goals for the class, and whether anyone had injuries and adjusting her classes accordingly. I would really recommend her classes to anyone!’

- M. B.