Kate Procter's Background
After I left Liverpool University, I trained as a secondary geography teacher and taught in the Lancaster area for 14 years. I left teaching to look after my 3 young children. During this time at home, I suffered with non-specific lower back pain and, although I was doing a lot of high-intensity aerobic exercise, I discovered that it was Pilates that finally cured my backache.
In my initial research into how Pilates exercises worked, I was Immediately impressed by the principles involved: building core strength and stability; improving posture; and the whole notion of intelligent exercise. I chose to do my training with the Modern Pilates group based in Leeds and Glossop. The Modern Pilates approach combines the basic Pilates’ principles with physiotherapy. In Modern Pilates, exercise professionals have worked alongside physiotherapists to produce a series of exercises that are appropriate and safe for most people to do (some of Joseph Pilates’ original exercises were designed for acrobats and ballet dancers). The Modern Pilates programme of exercises aims to develop good balance throughout the body and to build strong, stable muscles that are also flexible and correctly aligned. In addition to gaining a CYQ Level 3 Matwork Pilates Instructor qualification, I have completed some more advanced specialist courses. These include: spinal conditions; hip and knee conditions; shoulder conditions; pre and post natal exercises; and independently active older people; pelvic floor exercises and I have run specific programmes related to each of these areas. |