Steff Affleck
My aim is to help others to discover how to improve physical health and well being through the progressive challenges that the huge repertoire of exercises provides...
...lengthening and strengthening muscles through controlled movement, improving posture and breathing and having fun!
Who I teach:
I have worked with clients from 10-85 years of age, couples/friends looking to get fitter together, triathletes, clients with scoliosis, Mulitiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, hip replacements, back/neck pain, pre and post natal, golfers, horse riders, brides-to-be, GCSE Physical Education students, office workers, builders, teachers...
I love the challenges that each client brings, and enjoy researching ways to help them improve their health, fitness and functionality.
How/where I teach:
Individual/private class (1:1 and duet classes),
Studio apparatus classes (small group class using Gratz Pilates apparatus - Reformer, Cadillac, barrels, chairs, pedipul and much more)
Intermediate Reformer class
Classical mat class
Classes are at the Studio in Barnt Green (www.coolpilates.co.uk), run by Director Andy Adamson, with whom I completed a 1 year full time apprenticeship. I continue to take Advanced Reformer classes with Andy, and to teach studio apparatus and mat classes.
I also teach mat classes in Rowney Green Village Hall.
History
From my teenage years I played and coached a wide variety of sports, including hockey and rugby, and I taught PE at a secondary school in Solihull for 8 years (Head of Department for 5 years) before retraining in 2006 to teach Pilates.
Having suffered with severe sciatica on four separate occasions since the age of 13 (when I had an operation to ease the nerve compression), I finally discovered that Pilates could help me 'listen' to my body and learn to avoid the debilitating effects of muscle spasm associated with prolapsed discs...and at the same time learn a more thoughtful and effective way to stay fit and healthy.
In June 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer; I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and consider that pilates helped me to keep functioning and working throughout my treatment, from breathing well to regaining full shoulder mobility.
Interests
In addition to Pilates, I took up Taekwondo with Verve Taekwondo in 2012, and was proud to gain my 1st dan black belt in 2017 at 49. I returned to skiing after a 10 year break in 2011, and I also tried horse riding and ballroom dancing, to gain an insight into these activities. In 2017 I took the opportunity to join Cirquestars with Circusmash and was thrilled to be involved in the Christmas show (with a routine on hammock alongside my two teenage girls, dancing, juggling, acrobalancing and more) and on rope at Easter. Pilates has definitely come in handy, and I'm looking forward to working with the Birmingham Youth Circus, teaching Pilates.
Education
Educational qualifications
BA (Joint Hons) (2:i) Physical Education and Psychology (University of Wales, Bangor, 1989)
PGCE Physical Education and Maths (University of Exeter, 1990)
Pilates Training
Foundation Certificate for Teachers of Pilates (Level 3, accredited through OCN, via the Oxford School of Pilates, assessed by Jane Paterson) via a 1 year full time apprenticeship with Andy Adamson at CoolPilates in Barnt Green (Jan-Dec 2006)
I would describe my initial training as 'Contemporary' (Andy completed some of his training with Alan Herdman and Jane Patterson). However, more recently I have gained experience in Classical Pilates via Amy Kellow (Everybody Pilates) and others, and my teaching increasingly reflects this.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - workshops led by other professionals (see separate page) CPD
...lengthening and strengthening muscles through controlled movement, improving posture and breathing and having fun!
Who I teach:
I have worked with clients from 10-85 years of age, couples/friends looking to get fitter together, triathletes, clients with scoliosis, Mulitiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, hip replacements, back/neck pain, pre and post natal, golfers, horse riders, brides-to-be, GCSE Physical Education students, office workers, builders, teachers...
I love the challenges that each client brings, and enjoy researching ways to help them improve their health, fitness and functionality.
How/where I teach:
Individual/private class (1:1 and duet classes),
Studio apparatus classes (small group class using Gratz Pilates apparatus - Reformer, Cadillac, barrels, chairs, pedipul and much more)
Intermediate Reformer class
Classical mat class
Classes are at the Studio in Barnt Green (www.coolpilates.co.uk), run by Director Andy Adamson, with whom I completed a 1 year full time apprenticeship. I continue to take Advanced Reformer classes with Andy, and to teach studio apparatus and mat classes.
I also teach mat classes in Rowney Green Village Hall.
History
From my teenage years I played and coached a wide variety of sports, including hockey and rugby, and I taught PE at a secondary school in Solihull for 8 years (Head of Department for 5 years) before retraining in 2006 to teach Pilates.
Having suffered with severe sciatica on four separate occasions since the age of 13 (when I had an operation to ease the nerve compression), I finally discovered that Pilates could help me 'listen' to my body and learn to avoid the debilitating effects of muscle spasm associated with prolapsed discs...and at the same time learn a more thoughtful and effective way to stay fit and healthy.
In June 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer; I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and consider that pilates helped me to keep functioning and working throughout my treatment, from breathing well to regaining full shoulder mobility.
Interests
In addition to Pilates, I took up Taekwondo with Verve Taekwondo in 2012, and was proud to gain my 1st dan black belt in 2017 at 49. I returned to skiing after a 10 year break in 2011, and I also tried horse riding and ballroom dancing, to gain an insight into these activities. In 2017 I took the opportunity to join Cirquestars with Circusmash and was thrilled to be involved in the Christmas show (with a routine on hammock alongside my two teenage girls, dancing, juggling, acrobalancing and more) and on rope at Easter. Pilates has definitely come in handy, and I'm looking forward to working with the Birmingham Youth Circus, teaching Pilates.
Education
Educational qualifications
BA (Joint Hons) (2:i) Physical Education and Psychology (University of Wales, Bangor, 1989)
PGCE Physical Education and Maths (University of Exeter, 1990)
Pilates Training
Foundation Certificate for Teachers of Pilates (Level 3, accredited through OCN, via the Oxford School of Pilates, assessed by Jane Paterson) via a 1 year full time apprenticeship with Andy Adamson at CoolPilates in Barnt Green (Jan-Dec 2006)
I would describe my initial training as 'Contemporary' (Andy completed some of his training with Alan Herdman and Jane Patterson). However, more recently I have gained experience in Classical Pilates via Amy Kellow (Everybody Pilates) and others, and my teaching increasingly reflects this.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - workshops led by other professionals (see separate page) CPD