The Pilates technique is popular amongst dancers wanting to get the most out of their training and careers. Pilates is extremely useful for dancers of all ages and levels wishing to treat and prevent injuries and understand their bodies on a deeper level. Pilates himself worked with professional dancers in New York so a lot of the technique’s vocabulary and exercises reference both ballet and contemporary dance. Pilates is also useful for all other types of dance and performing arts.

I trained in ballet and contemporary for many years and attended Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance  to complete my Pilates teacher training. I have a deep and personal connection with dance and understand a dancer’s body both from first-hand experience and from anatomical training. Studio sessions are best for a dancer’s body as a dancer/performer usually has more complex movement patterns which can be hard to spot and realign in a matwork class. However, matwork classes are also beneficial, and it’s important to start at a level 1 or beginners class to learn the fundamentals.