Testimonials
- Pathway to Pilates was an excellent introduction to Pilates. As a physiotherapy student, I feel that everything I learned over the weekend workshop will be very useful in my future professional practice, including protection of my own back during treatments! Staff were wonderful and the whole process was flawless. Thank you! Alison Fisher ~ Physiotherapy Student (soon to be graduate!)
- Thanks for a really interesting and thought provoking weekend. Group number was excellent and worked really well together. The analogies used, to describe movements, were very helpful (even for a man with a science background like myself!) This will help when working with patients/clients in future. This weekend has provided lots of useful information, especially regarding “proper” movement during exercisesColin MacPherson ~ Physiotherapy Graduate & Triathlete
- Very friendly~ made the workshop fun and so I took more in. Very “hands on” and everyone was included and listened to. Emails and phone conversations very friendly and good information and help given. The small group was good, everyone was made to feel important. I am very much looking forward to the full course in February and maybe meeting some of the students again. I will use what I have learned and take it into everyday living. Very FUN! Ruth Martin ~ Gymnastic Coach
Karen Coupland – Mat Pilates
My work in the fitness industry began with leisure centres where I worked as a gym instructor and fitness co-ordinator. Introducing clients into the gym environment where they were taught how to use the equipment safely. These were mainly weight machines and cardiovascular machines as well as free weights. This would also involve designing a suitable fitness programme for each new member.
After a number of years doing this I took some time out to bring up my family which was a full time job in itself. I continued with distance learning courses in fitness and nutrition and once my children were all a good bit older I decided I would like to return to work in the fitness industry. I was uncertain about going back to work as a gym instructor and felt I would like to try a different avenue. I think my years of attending antenatal clinics and baby clinics had given me a new heightened awareness of posture good and bad. I had read about Pilates and seen it on TV, it was making quite an impact in the fitness industry and I decided to try and locate a course. I was over the moon when I discovered a course teaching Pilates which was running in Edinburgh and I wasted no time in contacting The Energywise Academy.
The Academy was founded and run by Fiona Brown the Centre Principal and I was to be one of the first students! Finding a course in Edinburgh was so important I needed to learn practical skills in teaching Pilates as well as theory and I wouldn’t have been prepared to travel away when I had family commitments. The Pilates course created a new direction for me, I enjoyed the class room set up, Fiona is an exceptional teacher and she installed such enthusiasm and energy into her teaching which helped me enormously! She would do everything she could to make sure no one would leave a class feeling confused and not knowing where they were at. The class environment is taught from an early stage to generate positivity and support throughout the course and long afterwards too. There is a strong focus on encouraging students to think about their future, what did we want to do once qualified for example, what goals did we have? We were always encouraged to try and look beyond, something which I admit I wasn’t used to doing, I would spend time looking to the future naturally for my children but had forgotten to ask myself what I would be doing in the next five/ten years.
In 2006 I had became a qualified Mat Pilates teacher! And I was delighted to be offered the chance to work part time for Fiona in the Energywise Health and Fitness studio where I taught Pilates. I had also started to teach clients of my own at this stage which was all word of mouth really.
I returned to The EnergyWise Academy on lots of occasions after this, to attend fantastic workshops and refresher days which are always up and running for anyone who wants to touch base with new ideas. In 2009 I advanced my Mat Pilates to Level 3 and steadily my clients grew and with it came the idea to set up my own business specialising in Pilates. I invested in a website which has helped place me in a market where my business needs to be seen.
In 2010 I successfully completed my Ante/Postnatal Award for adapting exercise to suit this specific group. It’s true you have to put lots of hard work into making your business work. I can honestly say I haven’t experienced one day where I regret what I’m doing now. I enjoy the benefits of planning my work and being able to remain flexible for family and holidays. It’s a nice balance and it works so well for me. Right now I am planning to follow my interests in postural faults, illness and injury and hope to start work on Level 3 Exercise Referral with the aim to advance to Level 4 Specialist Instructor.
Dawn Gillies- Mat Pilates
Introduction
I became a Fitness Instructor after the arrival of my third child. My passion for Kickboxing led me to train to teach in a Martial Arts School. I decided to follow this with an Exercise to Music qualification with Fitness Scotland, to ensure my classes were safe and effective, and to allow me to teach in other venues. A weekend Fitness Pilates course opened my eyes to the world of Pilates – I immediately began to read books and to study at home. I knew that I wanted to train and qualify as a Pilates teacher, helping people to improve their posture, and to strengthen and rebalance their bodies. I read an article about Fiona Brown and the Energywise Academy in a Fitness Scotland magazine. A friend met Fiona at a training event in Edinburgh, and decided to book onto the next course. Following her progress, I decided to telephone Fiona. I was inspired and encouraged and before I knew it the first training weekend arrived!
The Course
On the first weekend of the course, we were welcomed by Fiona with a lovely cup of coffee, and introductions were made. We were soon chatting away as if we had known each other for a while. Fiona explained how the course would work, about the overall structure and how it would be broken down into small sections, gradually building on our knowledge in a classroom environment and also in practical sessions. I was so excited; I couldn’t wait to begin learning! Our first session ended with an hour’s Pilates class, taught by Fiona. At last, I was taking part in a ‘proper’ Pilates class – I had a huge smile on my face all the way through the session. I loved every minute, although the hour felt like 10 minutes as it went by so quickly.
As each training weekend went by our group really bonded, discussing homework between sessions on the phone or by email, and always looking forward to the next time we would meet up to learn more and to enjoy each other’s company. The course was fantastically structured, with a combination of theory and practical work. It was always very clear exactly which section we would be working on, and also what we were required to do for homework between sessions. It was a very special time for me. I began to implement my new knowledge into my classes, and my clients were delighted with the results, and noticed a difference in their bodies.
Before we knew it, our Exam weekend arrived. Although we were all very well prepared – we had all studied very hard and had carried out lots of teaching practice – we were very nervous. Our written exam was first, followed by our individual teaching sessions. We were delighted when we learned that everyone had passed! We were also sad that our training weekends had come to an end – there were tears on the last day!!!
After gaining 6 months of teaching practice, we returned for Phase 2 of our Level 3 Qualification. Again the weekends were very structured, it was very clear exactly what we would be working on, the homework required and the next stage. We learned about planning our own development and organising our business; obtaining information from clients, and working with them to set goals to work towards and to achieve. We studied for our final written Core Knowledge Exam, and again were delighted to pass and become fully qualified Level 3 Mat Pilates teachers. Success!!
After the course
Since the course ended, I have had the privilege of working on a 1 to 1 basis with some lovely clients, including working with cancer patients, helping them along their road to recovery. I love working with both individual clients and teaching in classes. I have also gained access to the Register of Exercise Professionals at Level 3, another dream realised. I will be returning to the Energywise Academy this spring to work towards an Ante / Post Natal award so I can help expectant and new mothers prepare for and recover from the birth of their babies.
I would like to recommend Fiona Brown and The Energywise Academy to everyone who would like to teach Pilates. Fiona continues to support and inspire her pupils and teachers, she is always available and willing to help with any questions we have about our classes, clients, business or training. Training with The Energywise Academy has changed my life.
Leonie Criukshank- Mat Pilates
My first contact with Fiona Brown was a tentative phone call made when I was considering taking voluntary severance from a 15 year career with the Careers Service. I started Pilates when working with a personal trainer after having my daughter and after doing a variety of classes over the years, I was aware that not all Pilates teaching is good or safe. After my initial discussion with Fiona, it was clear she was dedicated to ensuring the instructors graduating from the Energywise Academy were of the highest standard.
Still unsure that I would have what it takes to teach, Fiona suggested I attend a weekend course Pathway to Pilates, designed to introduce people to Pilates and to Energywise. I really enjoyed the weekend although it left me realising that I had a lot to learn but keen to continue. Believe me I am no ballerina, my posture is far from perfect but ‘Realistic Pilates’ is just what it says you don’t have to be Darcy Bustle to do it or to teach. Although I have always had a strong interest in fitness, I had no formal exercise related qualifications. Fiona explained I could take the option of completing an anatomy and physiology module through The EnergyWise Academy or I could complete a level 2 qualification elsewhere. Since I was also interested in gym work I decided to complete my Level 2 Gym Instructor training with another well known trainer provider that was running courses in my local area. Having successfully completed this, I returned to The Energywise Academy to complete the first phase of the Level 3 Mat Pilates qualification.
Initially it was nerve racking but Fiona has a way of making sure everybody has a positive experience and nobody feels out of place. My course had a mixture of experienced exercise to music teachers and complete newcomers like me. This was good as we could all learn from one another. It was great to see the change in people as our confidence grew and the relaxed informal atmosphere meant we had some laughs too. The standard of teaching and information that Fiona imparts is really high, not just in relation to Pilates but her tips on getting your business started, marketing finding premises etc have been invaluable. The weekends flew by and before I knew it we were finished phase one and ready to go out and teach.
Fiona’s support didn’t stop on completing the qualification. I often have occasion to ask advice and Fiona is always happy to give it. Completing your qualification with The Energywise Academy is only the start of the relationship. Fiona offers lots of relevant CPD and informal events that help you build a network of friends and contacts for support. While gaining experience teaching my own classes at a local gym and tennis club, I went on to complete a Level 3 Personal Training Qualification with a more local training provider (Energywise didn’t offer this at the time). Training with The Energywise Academy is a very different experience to what you get from other providers in the industry and one I would thoroughly recommend.