Bridget Smith - Director/Instructor

Bridget started Simply Pilates in 2003. She is a certified Pilates Foundation instructor and has also completed the world recognised Stott Pilates Certification program in Toronto, Canada.

Simply Pilates will only offer the highest trained instructors.

Certified instructors have carried out a minimum of 9 months full time (or 2 years part time) training including detailed anatomy and physiology study as well as remedial and sports specific injury work.

The level of training goes a long way to explain why Pilates should be taught in small groups or in private one-on-one sessions so that each client receives as much individual attention as possible.

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Anna Christy - Instructor

Anna Christy is a certified Pilates Foundation instructor and trained at the Scott Studio in Somerset under Suzanne Scott. She teaches both mat work and studio equipment exercise. As well as being part of the Simply Pilates team Anna also teaches privately in Bristol.

"I first trained as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, a method of enhancing self-awareness and monitoring ones own reactions to the pressures of life. Contemporary dance has also demonstrated for me the beauty and benefit of movement well executed. Now as a Pilates teacher I love the scope of work that an in depth knowledge of Pilates can offer - working with young fit professional sports players, the cautious older person, rehabilitating anyone post trauma or surgery as well as through pregnancy and post natal.

The thoughtful approach of Pilates exercise expands on the mind body dynamic. I draw on my collective skills to help others gain a deeper understanding of controlled movement and feel the benefit derived from Pilates exercise."

Rachael James - Instructor

Rachael qualified as a Pilates Foundation instructor at the Scott Studio in Somerset. She first became interested in Pilates while training to become a professional dancer and later decided to take this further, qualifying under the instruction of Suzanne Scott and achieving full mat work membership.

"I was fascinated by the stability and strength Pilates gave me as a dancer and soon realised how beneficial this type of exercise can be to everybody. I teach mat work classes suitable for all levels of fitness and I am able to draw upon my movement background to add an imaginative and balanced approach to my lessons."

Russell Jones - Instructor

Russell initially trained as a doctor and still works part-time as a Paediatric Emergency Staff Grade at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Whilst working as a doctor in Australia in 1999, he also performed in a theatre company and returned to the UK to study physical theatre and movement. He then moved to Bristol to train as a trapeze artist, which he still does, and regularly teaches at Circomedia on their full-time course and adult evening classes.

"My awareness of the body and its movement qualities naturally led me to want to study this further, and to look at how I could work to improve people's quality of life from a movement perspective."

Russell is a certified instructor with the Pilates Foundation, based at the Scott Studio in Somerset where he works every Wednesday. Russell's interests are in young people's and sporting exercise and injury rehabilitation, although he enjoys working with a varied clientele, including people suffering from strokes and multiple sclerosis.

Anna Taylor - Instructor

Anna is a certified Pilates Foundation instructor. She completed her matwork training at The Place, London and went on to do her equipment training at the Pilates and Yoga Movement Studio, London with Anne-Marie Zulkahari.

"I was first introduced to the Pilates Method whilst living in Australia.  I suffered ongoing back problems in part due to exercising without proper muscle balance and working hunched over a desk.  Pilates classes helped reduce this discomfort.   I have always enjoyed a wide range of sport and recognise that being cardio fit is not enough to maintain a healthy body.  My teaching aims to increase body awareness and well-being and improve movement patterns with an emphasis on breath and alignment."