Why Maya became a Pilates Instructor:

Maya was diagnosed with Scoliosis at the age of thirteen and this began her journey into finding methods of improving spinal and related muscle issues and decreasing chronic pain. Her personal journey into managing her condition began with a four week course at the Scoliosis SOS clinic in London. This was the beginning of developing an understanding of how the spine functions, gave her the knowledge of how scoliosis is never the same from one person to another and how an exercise plan can be catered to different curvatures.

Maya found that Pilates exercises worked in a similar fashion to those used by the scoliosis clinic, allowing focus on strengthening and relaxing tight back muscles and building the core supporting muscles but without putting pressure where it can cause harm or pain. Using a Reformer allows controlled and direct focus on the areas needing attention. After experiencing the benefits of Pilates herself she decided to pursue her career in this field and help others through the use of Pilates techniques.

Maya's Pilates Training

After a detailed investigation of the various Pilates organisations and the teaching courses available she opted for the Polestar course because it is the most comprehensive and highly accredited. The course spanned several years of intensive physical practice and training on the Reformer and a further 40 hours of private 1-1 mentoring sessions which Maya did with Diane Nye, the highest level educator in the UK Polestar team. The course also required observation of 50 hours of Polestar instruction and 50 hours of one on one teaching practice. Examinations required an in depth knowledge of anatomy, anatomical points, contraindication needs, health and safety, anatomy of breathing, axial elongation and core control, spine articulation, organisation of head, neck and shoulders, alignment and weight bearing of the extremity, movement integration.

She continues studying new Pilates techniques and has expanded into physio therapy techniques to broaden her knowledge even further and is now helping people suffering from chronic pain and back pathologies as well as a host of other physical conditions.

Maya uses functional testing of new clients to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses to help them achieve their goals in a safe and progressive manner. The sessions are varied utilising her knowledge of over 130 core Pilates Reformer exercises along with their variations and the use of props to take into consideration the ability of the client.