About Karen
Hello I am Karen Powell. I have been teaching Pilates in Inverness and the Highlands for nearly 20 years. I originally trained as a STOTT PILATES Matwork Instructor. I am also Pilates Reformer (Pilates equipment) trained with Balanced Body. As a self employed Instructor I teach mat classes and run Private lessons in and around Inverness, Drumnadrochit and Dingwall.
I continually develop my practice and have explored the area of Hanna Somatic Movement. Somatic movement aims to reduce Sensory Motor Amnesia (our bodies ability to make sensory and motor connections from the brain) in our bodies, which in turn allows the body to return to normal patterns of movement, reduce habitual patterns of movement which are causing our bodies pain. I add elements of Somatic movements into my classes.
I am also qualified to teach people with osteoporosis, hypermobilty and scoliosis, and with people living with Parkinsons disease. I also teach cyclists, runners, swimmers and golfers.
As well as teaching people Nordic Walking, as a British Nordic Walking Instructor, I am also involved in a Nordic Walking Group for people living with Parkinson's.
Recently I have trained as a STA Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach, and planning to run future workshops merging PIilates, breathing techniques and swimming, based around local areas around Inverness.
I previously worked as a Summer Mountain Leader in the mountains and lowland areas of Scotland, England and Wales.
As a lover of the outdoors and of moving in general, I feel very fortunate to be able to share my passion for movement and the benefits that Pilates and Nordic Walking to other people living in Inverness and the Highlands.
Pilates has been life changing for me. I realised its amazing benefits having experienced continuous injuries whilst training for Track, Cross Country, Triathlons and Fell Running events at a National and International Level from the age of 18. As an individual with hypermobile joints, I found that Pilates helped strengthen and support the movement of my joints. After child birth, Pilates continued to have its supportive benefits. Nowadays I continue to hill walk, cycle, swim and enjoy spending time gardening. I believe strongly that I have been able to remain fit and active due to the awareness and strength that Pilates has brought into my life.
My aims as a teacher are to encourage people to build awareness of their own movement. To help clients make positive changes to body movements and habits that causes pain, by teaching functional movements. This in turn helps with a balance between strength, flexibility, coordination and control. Ultimately individuals can learn the life long tools to move with enjoyment and ease.
