Maxine Phillips is a Body Control Pilates qualified teacher who is extremely passionate about movement, firmly believing that movement is medicine.
Having lived and worked in Qatar for 3 years training to become a Pilates Matwork Teacher, Maxine returned to the UK to set up Pilates with Maxine helping people across the South East to connect with their bodies and move better.
Teaching classes in Bridge, Lydden, Etchinghill, River and St Margaret’s, we had the pleasure of speaking with Maxine to find out more about the wonderful mind-body exercise that is Pilates…
To readers who might not know, can you tell us more about your background in Pilates?
I started Pilates whilst completing my dance degree. Joseph Pilates worked with ballerinas in his studio in New York, dancers often do Pilates to keep them both strong and flexible. I knew as soon as I did my first class that I’d like to teach Pilates one day. I instantly fell in love with the challenge of the technique whilst working in a slower and more mindful way. I continued Pilates alongside my training until one day a move abroad presented as the perfect time for me to qualify to become a Pilates teacher.
What makes your classes so special?
I have an eye for detail and pride myself on helping my clients move to the best of their ability. Their wins are my wins and I love seeing them improve in strength, flexibility, coordination and confidence over time. In classes, my clients always work hard, but we also don’t take things too seriously, we have fun too. As my classes have been running for nearly 6 years we have a lovely community in the group.
For readers who would be interested in attending a class, can you tell us from a personal perspective why you practice Pilates and what you enjoy most about it?
For me, there is something special about moving with precision and intention, improving both strength and flexibility and having a whole hour to connect mind and body. The rest of the world stands still, while you focus on yourself. You work hard, but not in a ‘no pain no gain’ way. In a ‘respect and listen to your body’ way. Your mind is occupied and challenged, so you forget about the ‘to-do list’ or work etc. After a class I feel longer and stretched out, energised and relaxed.
When, where and what time do your Pilates classes take place?
My class in Bridge Village Hall is on Mondays at 7:45pm, but I also teach online via Zoom and in other villages such as Lydden.
What do you enjoy most about running Pilates classes in Bridge?
My clients! We have a wonderful group of people, who make the class special. They are kind, friendly and supportive and I love to see them each week.
Bridge is a beautiful village and I am grateful to be a very small part of it.