17 Fernwood Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town

Find out more about me & how I teach

Hello, I’m Catherine. In my work as a pilates and movement coach, I combine years of experience as a professional dancer and movement teacher, university-level training in critical thinking, and a deep sensitivity to the experience of learning movement skills. I aim to provide a calm, safe environment where you can learn to move better, feel better and in doing so, improve your quality of life.

•Read about my teaching & background ↓

My background

I trained as a dancer and performed professionally in musical theatre productions across Asia and Europe. As part of my dance training, I also obtained teaching qualifications in dance and gained experience as an apprentice teacher. The discipline, focus and precision that come from dance training, as well as that early exposure to the pedagogical process, were foundational in forging how I experience and teach movement. 

I began practising pilates whilst still a dancer, continued to practice it as I transitioned out of my dance career, and then embarked on training as a pilates teacher. The pilates technique fundamentally changed how I understood movement mechanics. It also allowed me to develop an appreciation of how good movement skills can materially improve people’s quality of life.

Whilst honing my skills as a pilates teacher, I continued to explore the movement world – trying my hand at everything from belly dancing to kung fu to power lifting. Each movement modality expanded my awareness of the diverse movement techniques, breathing strategies and teaching approaches that exist. 

Simultaneously, I completed a post-graduate degree in analytical philosophy. The critical thinking skills I learned there, as well as the experience I gained as a tutor and stand-in lecturer, were pivotal in shaping not only how I understood the world in general, but also how I approached teaching movement.

My teaching

I love details! Sometimes it’s the smallest changes in detail, or the slightest shift in how a movement is understood, that makes the biggest impact in how a movement feels, and how efficient it is. Learning details can help you get more confident in your movement, help you work through a movement obstacle, and help you reach success in your movement goals. 

I like to think that the work I do helps you build a strong base of movement mechanics, which can then be implemented in a multitude of ways. Once the ‘first principles’ are in place, you can go out and engage in whatever it is that you enjoy, knowing that you have built a solid foundation of technique and awareness. Whether it’s a HITT class, a sports game, hiking, gardening, or being able to safely get down on the floor to play with your grandkids,  I aim to give you the tools you need to take control of your physical activities. To me, developing high-level body awareness and motor control are essential, empowering and even life-changing skills. And I’d like to help you learn how. 

I have lots of experience working with people who are apprehensive about moving – whether this is due to previous injury, surgery, or because they’ve taken a long break from doing any exercise. I’m skilled in helping people return to exercise gradually, in a way which feels safe, which builds confidence, and which feels collaborative. 

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Let's get you moving better

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Pilates & movement coaching. Bespoke technique training to help you improve your movement.

Contact me

17 Fernwood Avenue
Newlands, Cape Town
catherine@scienceinmotion.biz