I love Pilates. It has helped me regain my strength after a major operation and helped to ease the general aches and pains of life with children! I recently spent some time with Claire Field, Owner of The Studio at Waterlane Farm and Pilates Instructor at Berkhamsted Pilates Studio, BAYoga.

Tell me a bit about yourself and why you trained to be a Pilates teacher
Following a lower back injury from competitive rowing for the GB Junior team in my early 20s, I was introduced to Pilates to help with my rehabilitation and have been practising Pilates ever since. Having worked in a stressful City job for many years after this injury, and following the birth of my first child, I was fortunate enough to be able to turn my hobby into a career that enabled me to base my work locally in Berkhamsted but also from my home studio. I completed a year long comprehensive (mat & equipment) training programme locally, together with regular training with in London with Alan Herdman, who is credited with bringing Pilates to the UK back in the 1970s.

I am passionate about the benefits of the Pilates Method from personal experience following my back injury as well as pre and post natally with both of my children. Whether working 1:1 or with a class, my focus is always on delivering a challenging yet appropriate session with an emphasis on correct form, breath and alignment.
What was the hardest thing about setting up your own business?
The hardest thing was deciding just to go for it! So much self doubt and “shall I, shan’t I?” but it was the best decision to take that first step and not look back.
What’s the best thing about running your own business?
Being in control of my time and how I want to spend it — admittedly that’s mostly teaching wonderful clients, but I also get to do training courses when I need to and also still spend time with my family.

How do you balance being a busy Pilates instructor and being a mum?
Balancing anything with being a mum is never easy, but I’m fortunate enough to control my own diary and my own hours both at my home studio and whilst teaching at The Berkhamsted Pilates Studio.
Tell me a bit about the services you offer?
I offer private (1:1), duet or group (max of 3 per class) equipment Pilates classes at my home studio near Bovingdon Green, focusing on rehab, pre & post natal and general fitness.

Pilates has so many health benefits — can you tell me about a few?
Pilates has sooo many benefits! I could talk all day about them! But to summarise just a few, it gives a refreshing mind-body workout; helps you develop a strong core ie flat abdominals and a strong back; you gain long, lean muscles and flexibility; Pilates helps to create an evenly conditioned body, improve sports performance and prevent injuries. Finally, it helps you to learn how to move efficiently and it’s a gentle but also challenging exercise. Can you tell I love it?!

What’s your favourite Pilates move and favourite piece of equipment?
My favourite Pilates move is always a side stretch, it always feels good for anyone who sits or stands a lot and whether its included in matwork or on equipment and you can vary it depending on how you’re feeling. But my favourite way to side stretch (or do the mermaid into Cleopatra) is on the Pilates reformer because you incorporate rotation and extension into this which feels like you’re wringing your spine out like a sponge — sooooo good.

I bet you’ve practiced Pilates everywhere — what’s the most exotic place?
Not sure it was practising pilates in terms of a full class per se, but we went to Kerala in Southern India over Christmas last year and I did a teaser on the side of a tea plantation after a sunrise walk…..as you do!
To find out more you can follow Claire on Facebook or Instagram
