You’ve probably wondered, 'who is Elle, and why do I want to do Pilates with her?' Well let me shed some light on who I am, where I’ve been, and what I’ve seen.
When I was young, I experienced quite frequent neck and back pain as well as migraines as a result. I have vague memories of having to wear a neck brace in the car to avoid pain. My Mum would take me to see a chiropractor regularly, and an acupuncturist even visited our home a few times to help release the tension in my muscles.
I started playing the violin when I was four years old, and I think my neck issues worsened because of the constant head tilt position you have to assume when practising the violin. I’m sure it wasn’t wholly due to this, but it definitely exacerbated the condition; I know that for sure.
My first memory of Pilates was when my Mum took me for the first time on a recommendation from the chiropractor. I would have been quite young, possibly 11 or 12 years old. I don’t remember where it was, but I vividly remember the long and steep flight of stairs we had to climb to get to the room where the class was taking place. It was a large room with floorboards and mats placed all around. I remember it feeling foreign at the time, but the overall sentiment in my memory of the experience is positive, and the memory is strong. It had quite an impact on me.
From that time, it stuck with me as something that would be good for my body, so I continued to do it as I got older. The times when my body felt the strongest, healthiest, and was pain-free for the longest amount of time, were times when I was consistently physically active. I was never into physical activity as a child. I preferred to read, or listen to music, and daydream. I did dance, though, more so out of a passion for music than the benefits of moving my body, but it was a sure thing that I was my best self when I was moving, and moving regularly.
When I was old enough to attend a gym, I attended the Pilates classes, and I remember looking up to my instructors thinking, ‘I can do this, I would love to do this!’ Nothing came of the thought, though, for a long time. Most probably due to a lack of confidence and body image issues, thinking I had to fit a certain mould to do what they did, and that surely, I wouldn’t be good enough, which is sad.
I actually went to University to study Journalism, and came out with a Bachelor's degree. My first real job, following a few internships, was at a publishing house, where I worked as an Assistant Editor on multiple magazine titles. It was during this work though, that I started to notice my eyes starting to fail me, as well as my back and neck showing signs of depletion after having to sit in the car in traffic for a few hours a day to get to work and back, to then just sit in a chair all day to perform my work.
During this time, I was attending a Barre studio in Fitzroy to do classes that were a mix of Pilates, Yoga, and Ballet. They were amazing, the studio was amazing, as were the instructors. I again started to think, ‘I could really do this. I would love to do this!’ and this time, I acted on it.
I enrolled in a Pilates course and completed it on the weekends in person, while working full-time during the week at the publishing company. I graduated in 2014 with a certificate in Pilates – Matwork and Reformer, Certificate IV in Fitness, Functional Anatomy & Biomechanics, and Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy).
I then went on to teach Pilates at multiple studios in Melbourne, as well as Barre, at the very studio I attended in Fitzroy before I completed my course. I worked as a part-time instructor and also as a freelance writer and editor for various clients.
Reality started to set in after a while, when I realised I needed to start thinking seriously about my future, my savings, and how I would be able to financially support and help my Mum and brother while we were renting.
I decided to get back into full-time work in writing and editing and I intended to keep teaching Pilates on the side, which I did, but it didn’t quite work out to be as often as I would have liked.
Fast forward a bit, and I find myself here. Pilates with Elle was born out of a desire to support the local community and offer space and time to move together to build strong, healthy bodies and minds, irrespective of shape, size, or background.
My hope is to create an inclusive and supportive environment for our community, where people feel safe and free to move at the capacity they’re able to, while realising personal goals along the way as they get stronger and more capable.
I love to teach the traditional movements of Pilates, while adding in what I like to call frills and layers to add challenge, creativity, and flow, which I believe, all amount to a class that is not only good for you, but feels good for you.
Join us! I have no doubt you will love it! I hope to meet you and learn more about you and your journey soon.
Elle
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