Welcome to Solidarity Pilates
'mindful movement & meditation'
Solidarity Ethos
~My Classes promote the on going development of physical & somatic self awareness with non judgment.
I aim for the student to leave each class feeling they've created space in their body, to breathe, move with ease, finding a sense of centre, inner strength & connectedness.
Using the practices of Pilates & mindful movement, these classes encourage function, fluidity, ease of movement & release within the body structures, bringing calm to the mind.
An invitation for each student to develop an understanding of the patterning & postures of their body
& how best support their everyday movement. ~
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Background and Training
I trained as a dancer, choosing to study choreography & the history of art at degree level. After Graduating with a BA honours I used my creative & dance background to develop workshops for Local Youth Services, working with a diversity of young people from different backgrounds & with a wide range of abilities; these workshops introduced young people to movement as a means of communication.
This interest in movement & movement therapy led me to train with the Pilates Foundation, qualifying as a Pilates mat work teacher
For many years I taught mat Pilates classes & one to ones in a Physiotherapist Clinic working as part of the rehabilitation team.
During this time my interest for rehabilitation grew & I undertook a two year training with Pilates Movement Ltd qualifying
as a fully comprehensive Pilates Apparatus teacher
Over an 8 year period I worked with four renowned Pilates studios, where I had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients who were looking for the Pilates method to best support their physical needs, be that from supporting them professionally as musicians, athletes, chefs & cyclists.
I also worked with clients that were preparing for or recovering from hip replacements, knee replacements or spinal surgery.
I have worked extensively with those looking to release & re balance from a restricted posture that many hours of working at a desk can bring & with many others who are wanting to work to improve their general posture , strength & everyday mobility.
My on going interest in rehabilitation & the mind body connection led me to undertake a two year training to become a qualified Teacher of Mindfulness, Meditation & Compassion.
The practices of non-judgment, mindfulness, care & kindness towards the body & mind are now interwoven into how our teach & facilitate sessions.
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Life can be demanding, with ever increasing demands that pressurise our physical, mental & emotional systems; I believe there has never been time where we need to incorporate daily practices that support our well being & build resilience of body & mind.
Solidarity mindful movement & meditation provides a varied array of classes, courses & workshops to support, educate & provide opportunities for transformation, to bring about a felt sense of connectedness to body, mind & spirit.
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If you are interested in developing a practice that supports body & mind, then this is an invitation to join me as we explore Pilates, mindful movement & meditation together
Weekly Schedule of Classes
Monday Mat Class 18:00-19:00~Pilates Foundations
at The Mac Hall Brockweir
a class designed for beginners to Pilates or this returning form a break. this class develops a string grounding in the practice of Pilates, developing self awareness of postural patterns & how best to support oneself on & off the mat.
Monday Mat Class 19:15-20:15~Pilates Progressions
at The Mac Hall Brockweir
a class designed for the more seasoned practitioner, looking to deepen & challenge their understanding & practice of Pilates
Wednesday Apparatus Classes between 13:30-19:00
at The Chepstow Studio
Thursday Zoom Mat Pilates 09:15-10:15
A mixed ability mat class, with live recording accessible for 7 days.
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For all enquiries please contact
Gae Dann
gaydann@me.com
07812029498
or to book please use the link below
https://instabook.io/s2/solidaritymindfulmovementmeditation
What people say about Gae's Classes...
"Pilates with Gae has been, and is, life-enhancing.
I started working with Gae 18-months ago after a 9-year hiatus from Pilates apparatus. Gae has an incredible ability to read what your body needs and to work with you with what arises. Her highly personalised sessions, wisdom and evocative cues have you deeply inhabiting your body; moving intuitively, flowingly and with joy, and breathing again, as nature intended.
For me, Gae's sessions and their enduring effects are the embodiment of Joseph Pilates' words "the acquirement and enjoyment of physical wellbeing, mental calm and spiritual peace are priceless to their possessors".
"I was unconvinced about Pilates until I met Gae.
Whatever mood I may be in before our classes, I can guarantee that I feel better, physically & mentally afterwards." Ron
"Gae is an inspired & inspiring teacher. Through my 1:1 work with Gae I have achieved huge improvements in my chronic mobility problems & energy levels" Kerry
"These classes have improved my posture, the exercises & breathing revitalise my whole body. These classes are a tonic, which I look forward to on weekly basis" Marion
"I have had an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis for 28 years and during that time I have endured 2 joint replacements and an operation to straighten a bone in my foot. The arthritis continues to be active and the latest 'flare' left me with a knee that was permanently bent at an angle and the inability to walk very far - not to mention the pain.
I have been doing Pilates with Gae for about 2 years, always 1:1 Appartus classes and when this latest decline took hold she addressed it directly with specific exercises for the problem knee. It wasn't long before the situation started to turn around and serious progress was made.
My leg has returned to being straight and I have contacted the orthopaedic department to remove myself from the surgical list. The pain has dramatically improved. I have found that Pilates has significantly improved my mobility, balance and strength and I count myself lucky that I stumbled upon an expert like Gae who happens to know what they're doing" TG
