Having grown up in a family of Pilates enthusiasts, Anastasia was aware of its benefits from an early age. After years of debilitating back pain and countless sessions with various physiotherapists and osteopaths, she finally decided to give Pilates a try. Within a couple of sessions, her back pain had disappeared and she finally felt free and mobile again.
“Pilates is an investment – in years to come, you will thank yourself for what you put in”
Following a Masters in Marine Sciences at Utrecht University, she decided that academia wasn’t for her and set her sights on becoming a Pilates teacher. In doing so, she hoped to impart her knowledge and help people feel the same benefits she felt. Anastasia completed her Polestar Mat education in 2022 and her Barre education in 2023. She teaches a broad range of classes and has a special interest in pre-natal Pilates and Pilates for those in later life. Anastasia is a native speaker of English, French and Italian and speaks Dutch to a good conversational level.
What is your best advice when starting Pilates?
Keep an open mind and don’t give up too soon. It’s like learning a new language – it takes time and dedication but you will see amazing results. And even better, you will feel more aligned and balanced in your body. Also, try to attend classes by different teachers – it keeps you on your toes. Every teacher has their own style and you will naturally have preferences but it’s a good idea to try a few different styles.
What sets you apart as a Pilates teacher?
I take Pilates seriously but I don’t take myself too seriously. I like challenging my students while still injecting humour and playfulness into my classes. I also love including theory in my classes and explaining why we are doing a certain movement or exercise. The why is just as important as the how.
