Welcome to My Blog - Pilates Ponderings and Other Perks.

Hi There!

I'm Rachelle, your new Pilates-loving, injury obsessed, dance adoring guide to all things movement and I'm so glad that you found your way to my corner of the web. First things first, let me tell you a little about myself...

I have been teaching Pilates for over 12 Years now, but my love for movement started way earlier. Picture this: A young, enthusiastic ballet dancer, spinning, leaping and trying to land gracefully (98% success rate so far - we don't talk about the 2%). Fast forward a few years, and I'm a certified BASI Pilates instructor, but let's not forget the detour through owning a ballet school in the Eastern Cape (My hometown).

So how did I go from pirouettes to Pilates? An ankle surgery - I now have hydraulic ankles so yes, you should include me in all of your limbo tournaments - had other plans for me. I had to hang up my dance shoes for bit, but instead of feeling sorry for myself, I dove headfirst into Pilates and successfully completed my certification. By this point, I had been doing Pilates since 2005, so it seemed like the perfect fit. I went back to school (Yes, again), and grabbed myself a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biokinetics.

After years of teaching at other Pilates studio's, in 2023, I decided it was time to take the leap and open my own place - introducing Ziel Pilates and Dance! Why "Ziel"? It is the Dutch word for "soul", relevance - my father is Dutch (NO, I do not enjoy soused herring. Mayonnaise on the other hand is enjoyed by the litres. It is a problem, I am aware).

In this blog, I want you to dive into the wonderful world of movement with me, exploring how it can transform not just your body but your mind too. From uncovering the secrets of injury prevention to finding joy in the smallest progressions, there's so much to discover. But that's just the beginning - next time, we'll be putting our shoulder blades in the spotlight as the hidden culprits behind injury. Trust me you won't want to miss it!

So grab your cup of tea, a cozy spot on the couch, and join me on this journey of movement and wellness!

Until next time - stay strong, stay curious!

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