Andy is our core instructor here at Leith Pilates. He was physically transformed by Pilates after it saved him from long term back pain – he was inspired to become a teacher.
With a passion for getting to the root cause of client’s joint pain he has found himself instructing a huge range of people from professional athletes to those with hyper-mobility or MS. If you’ve got a niggle then Andy will make it his mission to try and help you with it!
“Our goal is that you leave your class moving, breathing and feeling better than when you arrived.”
Andy has a raft of qualifications, each one lending its own perspective to the way Andy teaches. A Pilates lesson with Andy is not just any old Pilates lesson!
Andy’s Qualifications:
Pilates Mat – Polestar UK
Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology – ITEC
Safe Spine Teaching Technique – Rebecca Leone
Osteoporosis and Pilates – Pilates Foundation
Achieving Idealised Alignment – Rebecca Leone
Advanced Cuing – Polestar UK
Mat Level 3 – Polestar UK
Structural Balance through Fascia Release – Ramona Peoples
Structural Balance Through Movement – Ramona Peoples
Core Awareness – Liz Koch
Safe Spine Teaching Technique Level 2 - Rebecca Leone
Understanding Hypermobility - Classical Pilates UK.
Change The Way You Think About Movement - Katy Bowman - Nutritious Movement
What we believe at Leith Pilates
Our clients, and their health, are our main focus here at Leith Pilates. We teach movement and empowerment of your bodies through movement.
Using our unique combination of Pilates training, passion for body knowledge and using movement as medicine we can help our clients to achieve more than they ever imagined.
“We keep our classes small (even online) and new clients have the opportunity to start their journey with a private session or a taster class.”
Rest of the Team
Ruth - Studio Manager
As the studio manager of Leith Pilates, I love introducing people to the world of Pilates and seeing them reap the benefits. Over the years I’ve welcomed everyone - from busy parents to stressed office workers, athletes to couch-potatoes – whatever your schedule, it’s my job to help you fit Pilates into your life.
I’m also a Pilates lover myself – you’ll often see me joining classes at the shore. It’s great being part of a Pilates family, so do feel free to say hello if you see me in class.
Until then, I'm just a an e-mail away - I'm happy to help you get started and answer any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Emma - Pilates Teacher
My Pilates journey began ten years ago and four years ago I embarked on my teacher training. I believe in continually developing my own practise and knowledge. I’m always doing one course or another. I’m currently doing the ‘Buff bones’ course, an exercise system that uses Pilates and movement to encourage bone and joint health. I hope to complete this course in July.
I chose to teach Pilates because I truly believe it’s benefits. I am living proof of that. Since having spinal surgery and a recurring herniated disc, I am still running, cycling and participating in many activities I love. Not only is Pilates an essential tool to maintain a healthy injury free body, it’s a way of life for me.
What I love about teaching is when people begin to realise the benefits and notice the changes within their own bodies, there is no better reward than that. It’s that light bulb moment when it begins to make sense, it’s so lovely to witness.
My classes are fun and varied, working in all ranges of movement to promote good posture, flexibility and rebalancing of the musculoskeletal system. We work with the breath to encourage a deeper core connection which will help to strengthen from the inside out. I like to end each session with a short mindfulness meditation to develop mind and body connection.
When I’m not teaching Pilates, you will find me spending time with my family, in the sea, walking my dogs or practising Mindfulness.
Caroline - Admin Officer
I first came to Pilates after having my twins in 2011, but it was when I started my classes with Andy in 2017 that I really began to understand how important movement, alignment and exercise really was, especially as I have hypermobility.
Health and exercise has always been an interest and the teachers at Leith Pilates really bring these two areas together in all their classes.
Through running my own business as a Life & Business Coach I have a lot of experience in social media and brand management, so when Andy and Ruth were looking to add to their team I jumped at the chance to be involved.
Alison - Pilates Teacher
I originally trained as a dancer at the Rambert School of Dance in west London and after a career lasting 30 years as a professional dancer, contemporary dance teacher and choreographer, I started looking for a new challenge to keep me fit and utilise my teaching skills.
My husband had been enjoying Andy’s beginners class and I decided to join up for a term. I loved the classes and immediately could see the physical and health benefits from doing Pilates on a regular basis. I embarked on a training programme with Brigid McCarthy and qualified as a Pilates instructor in 2016. I am enjoying being part of the team at Leith Pilates and delighted to see people improve their mobility by taking part in classes. I also teach several classes a week at the MS Therapy Centre Lothian.
What can you achieve at Leith Pilates
At Leith Pilates we use a blend of teaching techniques and expertise to keep your body moving, to keep your body aligned and build strength.
As well as being a place to get your weekly exercise fix we are a place for you to achieve even more.
Our community and attention to each individual means we can build you up to the strongest, most pain-free version of you!