About

Sofia headshot

My love for Pilates started over 5 years ago. After suffering for many years with lower back pain, I was finally diagnosed with disc degradation disease and was given 2 options: surgery or Pilates. I chose the latter. I immediately joined a class and the change on the way I felt and moved was almost instant. Pilates became an integral part of my life. I found myself raving about Pilates to anyone who'd listen and eventually I decided that teaching was what I wanted to do. I formally trained with Body Control Pilates as a Level3 Matwork Pilates teacher in 2020 and am continuing my professional development by attending courses, classes and workshops.

I'm based in Kingston upon Thames and I offer one to one as well as group classes on the mat. I teach down to earth, functional movement which will promote the body and mind connection so much needed. My classes will focus on increasing body awareness, strength, core stability and flexibility through mindful movement. I aim to create a safe, inclusive and non-competitive/non-judgmental environment where my clients can express their own unique movement. I hope that the experiences and learning that my clients have on the mat will be carried away and be used on their day to day and perhaps even become an integral part of their own lives.

Sofia Toscano

QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Body Control Pilates teacher 'Level 3 Matwork'

Level 3 Pilates for the Older Adult

Level 3 Pilates and Pregnancy (pre and postnatal)

Body Control Pilates - Certified teacher

Body Control Pilates™ is renowned as a world-leading education provider for Pilates teaching.

Our education curriculum is internationally renowned and our membership body for Body Control Pilates teachers is the largest professional Pilates organisation outside the USA.

Body Control Pilates offers a comprehensive programme of exercises for both mat and machine work. They are adapted from the ‘classical’ exercises developed by Joseph Pilates. We believe that many of these classical exercises are often not suitable for the average person and the average body. In order for someone to work safely and effectively and to gain the full benefits of Pilates, these classical exercises should be broken down to establish good movement skills thus building the best possible foundation upon which to progress towards the classical, more advanced work. This is the essence of the Body Control Pilates Method.

Body Control Pilates is remarkably effective - and medically-approved. It is of an holistic nature, being based upon a well-constructed philosophical foundation. Central to the Method is 'awareness of your own body' and each and every exercise is built around its eight basic principles:

Relaxation
Concentration
Co-ordination
Centring
Alignment
Breathing
Stamina
Flowing Movements

By working on the deep architectural structure of the body, 'core stability' is achieved, and then maintained, through increasingly complex movement sequences. Specific problem-areas can be targeted by an exercise, but always in relation to the rest of one's body.

Your body awareness is heightened by bringing together mind and body - Body Control Pilates literally teaches you to be in control of your body, allowing you to handle stress more effectively and achieve relaxation more easily.

The Body Control Pilates Method can work for everyone, regardless of fitness level! Exercises can be mat or machine-based, but matwork exercises have a great attraction in that they need no special equipment, and are particularly safe for those with back problems (and don't forget that 95% of the UK population has, or has had, backache). Its consistent success rate in solving such problems has brought it to the attention of osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists and homeopathic doctors, many of whom have either set up Pilates studios as part of their practices or established a close working partnership with their local Body Control Pilates teachers.

To find out more about Body Control Pilates visit www.bodycontrolpilates.com.

Classes

Group Class
60 min

Mixed ability in person classes

1-2-1 class
60 min

This is a much more personal class.

Beginner and Improver classes available.

New clients are welcome, but please fill in the enrolment form before joining a class.