Instructor Spotlight: Kimberley Jade
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your Pilates background
My name is Kimberley-Jade and I live in south east London. I have been teaching reformer Pilates on and off, due to the pandemic, since 2019. I have taught at various studios. I first started teaching at a lovely studio in Eltham called SE9 Pilates and I then moved on to Power Pilates UK which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
2. How did you discover Pilates?
I first discovered my love for Pilates after having been diagnosed with PCOS, I used to do a lot of high-intensity workouts and I wanted something with less impact. I went to my first reformer Pilates class at Power Pilates UK and I fell in love with it. I then went on to train at Frame alongside my 9-5 job and now I teach part-time alongside my other role.
3. How do you keep learning?
Various things inspire me and the way I teach. I mostly teach dynamic reformer Pilates. Often I love to mix classical with not so classical moves. I like to teach in the way that I enjoy working out. I can get bored easily so I try not to linger on one move for too long. I try to attend different classes with different teachers and learn new ways to teach a move or be inspired to teach a new move. I also love Instagram for inspiration and adapt what I learn here to my own style of teaching.
4. The best advice you were ever given as a teacher…
Don’t take it personal! Sometimes people will come to your class and love it and others won’t. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad teacher it’s just not for them. You’ll start to get your regulars and it makes you feel really good knowing that they want to come to your classes because of you.
5. Is there something you try and instil in each of your clients?
I try to remind everyone to listen to their bodies. Some days you’ll feel stronger than others and that’s ok, don’t beat yourself up, work at your own level. Exercise can be strenuous but it shouldn’t be stressful, we must give ourselves grace especially when exercising.
6. The best Pilates course you ever did was…
I gained my Reformer Pilates qualification at Frame in London and I loved it. It was intense but the teacher, Rosi, was amazing. I hope to train again with her in future, her courses at Reformer Fitness Academy look really good.
7. What’s your favourite piece of equipment to use with clients in studio and why?
I love using the Pilates ball in my classes, specifically for pulses. In between the ankles, the knees or in the palms. It always adds a good burn on to a basic move.
8. How do you stay motivated?
I think about how far I’ve come in my own fitness journey and it excites me to think I could be a part of someone else’s journey.
9. What makes you laugh the most?
I always forget my left and right which can lead to confused faces. I also love when friends or family come to a class thinking it’s easy and the shock on their faces always makes me giggle.
10. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
I love a good lazy sofa day with a sweet treat and a good film on.
11. How many pairs of grip socks do you own?
I think I have 10 complete pairs of grip socks and probably 10 more with one sock missing from each pair. I do like a stretch band, it’s nice to use it in a bridge or single-leg bridge, it always gives you a good glute burn.
12. Does your family ‘really know’ what’s involved in your job?
Yes and no. My family mostly have often thought it is easy until they try a class. I don’t think they realise how much planning goes into classes, testing out new moves, curating playlists and trying to remember left from right.