Instructor of the Month: Nuala Coombs

Where do you teach?

Le Loft, Ramatuelle, South of France

My teaching tips

Teaching tips - well this could be a book!  But thinking about it my advice to Pilates teachers is "be open to new experiences" and avoid being a robot.  In order to become a valuable teacher we need to constantly look for further education and experience.  Eventually we will build on all the knowledge and time spent with the technique with all its interpretations to develop our unique style.

Favourite Exercise and reason why

Favourite exercise is Roll Up on the mat because it is a complete exercise, when performed well.

In a nutshell, tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience in the industry

I began as a student of the technique in 1982 attending the Alan Herdman studios in Home Row London.  At that time I was purely enjoying being a client and feeling the benefits from my own practice to re-balance my body, because at the time I owned and ran a gym in the Portsmouth Area and taught all aspects of fitness.  Pilates was for me.  when I sold the Gym I joined Michael King and trained with him as well as taking the Stott Matwork training in Canada and in 1999 together with Michael and Malcolm Muirhead formed the Pilates Institute, London.  I was instrumental in the development of both the level 2 and level 3 criteria for the now nationally recognised Pilates education standard.  I now live in the South of France near St Tropez and work with clients in a beautiful studio on a daily basis and have developed a website www.thepilatesconsultant.com to help Pilates teachers and clients of the technique to understand and develop their practice.   I have also put together a training programme to help teachers create and develop their own niche market.  It will be available from my website at the end of August 2009.

Do you have a motto or mission statement?

My favourite quote is by George Bernard Shaw - "Life if not about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

In 5 years from now I will be living here in the South of France offering all inclusive retreats to clients who want to immerse themselves in Pilates and experience the beautiful countryside and health benefits of good food, rest, exercise and all things that this area has to offer.