Meet Elena
Movement has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember.
Originally from Italy, I moved to the UK in the early 2000's and spent many years training and performing as a professional contemporary/ballet dancer. My career in dance gave me an in-depth understanding of movement, physical performance and the demands we place daily on our bodies.
In 2010, a back injury changed the direction of my career and introduced me to Pilates and Yoga as powerful tools for rehabilitation and recovery. What began as a personal journey soon became a vocation: helping others move with greater ease, develop strength and feel more confident in their bodies.
I qualified in Pilates and Remedial Exercise with Alan Herdman in 2012, one of the pioneers of Pilates in the UK, and later completed my Pre- and Post-Natal Pilates certification with Body Control Pilates®, under Lynn Robinson.
My interest in movement continued to expand, and in 2019 I completed my two-year Yoga Teacher Training Diploma with Yogacampus in London. I am also a certified Relax and Renew® Restorative Yoga teacher, trained under the guidance of Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD and physical therapist.
Over the past 15 years, I have worked with a diverse range of clients, from athletes and dancers to older adults and people returning to movement following injury. I believe that Pilates should never be a one-size-fits-all approach. Every body has its own history, strengths, limitations and patterns of movement.
I am also a qualified Level 3 Sports Massage Therapist, trained at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Sports Massage complements my movement-based practice by allowing me to work with muscular tension and soft tissue alongside exercise and movement. I also use Kinesio Taping as part of most treatments to extend the benefits of treatments by providing extra support, pain relief and improved circulation without restricting movement in the affected area.
My approach brings together my experience in Pilates, remedial exercise, dance, Yoga, anatomy and sports massage to create sessions that are thoughtful, individual and responsive to the person in front of me.
I regularly work alongside physiotherapists and osteopaths where appropriate, helping clients build strength, mobility and confidence as part of their wider rehabilitation and wellbeing journey.
Alongside my busy teaching and manual therapy schedule, I continue to share my love of movement through specialised wellness retreats.
I believe strongly in lifelong learning and continue to attend courses and workshops to deepen my knowledge
and refine my practice.
At the heart of my work is something quite simple: creating a space where you feel listened to, understood, and supported, and where you are seen as an individual rather than simply "another body."
My aim is not simply to teach you exercises or provide a treatment, but to help you better understand your body, move with greater confidence, and develop habits that support your long-term wellbeing.
What Makes Working With Me Different
Personalised, not prescribed
No two bodies move in exactly the same way, so I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
In a private session, I take the time to understand how you move, what you need and what you want to achieve. Your programme is adapted to your body, your experience and how you are feeling on the day.
Why choose private Pilates?
Private sessions offer the time and attention to tailor every exercise to your individual body, goals and needs. With close guidance and ongoing adjustments, your programme can evolve as you become stronger and more confident.
Experience that goes beyond Pilates
My background in professional dance, Pilates, remedial exercise, Yoga and Sports Massage gives me a broad understanding of movement and the body.
I look at the bigger picture, including posture, alignment, mobility, strength, coordination and movement patterns, rather than simply taking you through a sequence of exercises.
Movement + hands-on therapy
Where appropriate, Pilates and Sports Massage can complement one another.
Sometimes the body needs to move. Sometimes it needs to release. Often, it benefits from both.
This combination allows me to support muscular tension, mobility and recovery alongside strength and movement.
Attention to detail
Private sessions allow for a level of individual attention that isn't always possible in a group setting.
I can observe subtle movement patterns, make precise adjustments, modify exercises when needed and progress your programme as your body changes.
You are not simply following a programme: the programme evolves with you.
A collaborative approach
When working with injury or rehabilitation, I believe in staying within my professional scope and working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
I can liaise with physiotherapists, osteopaths and other practitioners to help create a more joined-up approach to your movement and recovery.
A supportive environment
My own experience of injury and rehabilitation has taught me that recovery is not only physical.
I want my clients to feel comfortable asking questions, working at their own pace and understanding why they are doing something.
My approach is encouraging, precise and practical, helping you build confidence as well as physical strength.
Whether you're...
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Returning to exercise after an injury
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Looking to build strength and mobility
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Managing stiffness or muscular tension
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Wanting to improve posture and movement quality
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Looking for more individual attention than a group class can offer
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An active individual wanting to support recovery and performance
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Simply wanting to feel stronger and more at home in your body
My aim is the same: to help you move with greater ease, confidence and understanding.
Because lasting change isn't about doing more. It's about learning to move better.
Got Any Questions?