KAY COWLING

PILATES, MOVEMENT AND BREATHING RE-EDUCATION

Hi I’m Kay and I teach Pilates, movement and re-education of breathing patterns. I work with both children and adults in order to improve overall health and well being.

​From an early age the driving force in my life has been my love of movement and my love of learning – I was the child that couldn’t keep still and the child that constantly asked why?

This curiosity led me into teaching and I started my career as a dance teacher, teaching a variety of styles and ages. I went on to complete a PGCE in Education, working in nursery, primary and secondary schools for over 25 years. During that time, I also became a Pilates teacher. First gaining the mat certification with Body Control Pilates, then the Comprehensive Studio Equipment Certification with Evolve Movement Education and the Moving Fascia Diploma, both under Ana Barretxeguren – movingfascia.com

Image of Pilates and re-breathing coach Kay Cowling

I continue to seek out a way of thinking that looks holistically at the human body and stay open to new research that will inform me as an educator. Recently this has led me to studying the Buteyko Method of breathing and enabled me to delve deeper into the understanding of the biochemistry of the body.

Identifying how we breathe and looking at our individual breathing pattern is crucial. Understanding all three systems, the biochemistry, the biomechanics and the psychological aspects, is a must in order to improve health.

My approach is always to gently raise awareness, re-educate and then empower you to take control of your own body. I have a felt sense to empathise, as well as the knowledge and skills to help. 

I will guide you to understand what’s happening in your body by learning to ‘tune in’ and recognise the signals that your body is giving you and then together, we can create an individual ‘tool box’ of exercises that you can take ownership of and do anywhere.

MAT WORK PILATES

In person in Brighton & Online

REFORMER & STUDIO EQUIPMENT PILATES

In person in Brighton & Online

BREATHING RE-EDUCATION
COURSES

In person in Brighton & Online

Kay and I have been working together this last year. She has really helped me plug together the potential for breath work and pilates body work in the management of my chronic asthma.   To the often injured long distance runner, it’s weird to learn how breath work underpins almost everything, and that I did not really know how to breathe well.   With my asthma [from childhood] and decades of patterns it laid down and their challenges, I had a long road to run in regard to improving and rehabilitating my body, mind and breath.   With expert guidance and pragmatic body work support, Kay has helped me make amazing improvements – especially in my breathing.   I cannot recommend Kay highly enough for her down to earth, deep expertise and light hearted / fun approach to this deeply impactful intervention.

Matt Patterson
Chartered Phsiotherapist & Chartered Human Factors Specialist

I lead an active, stressful, fast paced life, constantly travelling for work and pleasure. Inevitably over the years, I’ve sustained injuries, whether from physical accidents or due to stress. Pilates with Kay keeps me strong and in shape and importantly, enables me to bounce back from injury.  This is down to Kay. She makes my body and mind move and believe my injuries (some recurring) will pass. I’ve realised that continued good health and fitness is a journey and work in progress. With Kay’s extensive knowledge of pilates and breath work, her meticulous and uplifting approach, I look forward to our sessions every time I approach the mat or reformer to maintain my journey, whatever shape my body and mind might currently be in. Kay makes caring for your body and mind, fun.

Elaine Hackett, CEO Crackit TV

Kay’s classes are a perfect blend of being equally restorative, technical yet flowing. What I love about the classes, is that the focus is on really honing the technique and explaining the benefit each position brings. After 10+ years of experimenting with many different Pilates classes and teachers, I find that Kay possesses a natural ability for explaining technicalities in a really accessible way, whilst still keeping the flow and momentum of the class going. 

Through having a brief initial chat before first joining and observing your movement during the class, Kay really understands your body and tailors her guidance so that each student knows where they might need more focus or adjustment though-out the class to get the most benefit. I’m yet to find another teacher who gives that level of attention to students needs. Over the last 3 years of taking Kay’s weekly online classes I’ve learnt a lot about what my body needs and continue to develop a strong, conceptual understanding of the fundamentals of Pilates. My mobility and strength has improved greatly as a result, (being a person who has always been frustrated at my failed attempts to be more flexible!) and I also enjoy a more regular practise. My only wish is that I lived in the same city as Kay so I could also attend her other classes! 

Lydia

I started reformer classes with Kay as a novice and with her watchful and encouraging teaching am now happily taking part in her advanced class.  All classes with Kay feel progressive and hugely enjoyable whatever the level.

Sue