Christina Fulcher, a Pilates instructor who has been teaching for more than 20 years, has just opened a new studio in Norwich. Here, she explains how sustaining an knee injury whilst studying dance in New York has led her on the Pilates path
Who are you and what do you do?
Hi – I’m Christina Fulcher, a Pilates instructor, studio owner and mama. I have lived in quite a few places, including New York, LA and Sydney, but Norwich has been my home since 2009
What led you to becoming a Pilates teacher?
Through my twenties I lived in NYC and studied dance. During this period, I sustained a knee injury. Pilates didn’t just keep me moving when I was unable to dance but helped me mentally have a focus. In the first couple of years of taking Pilates I was doing about four classes a week and loved it – I wanted to share that love! I did my first Pilates qualification in 2004.
So, what is the power of Pilates?
That’s a hard one to sum up! Pilates is so many things to so many people. In essence, it’s a way of moving that is intentional and focused. It’s movement that always originates from a strong and stable trunk to allow the body to move functionally well.
The core principles are concentration, control, centering, breath, precision and flow. So, it’s not the movements themselves, but how you do the movements. With the correct breathing technique and engagement of the right muscle support, how you move your body can feel light and controlled, rather than forced and tense.
It’s never easy if you’re doing it right, but there is an ease in your body and joints that makes it flow – however you are working incredibly hard!
How long have you been doing what you do and what have the highs and lows been in that time?
I’ve been taking Pilates classes myself since 2002 and teaching since 2004. It was my 20-year teaching anniversary last year!
The highs – sharing my passion with other people, doing a job I love, helping people get so much more from their body, having people experience the benefits of Pilates through different life experiences from pregnancy to postnatal and rehab.
For me, having Pilates as the backbone to all my life experiences in the last 22 years (pun intended!), from injuries, resettling back in the UK, to becoming a mama – it’s been with me every step of the way.
There are always ups and downs in life, but in those low points, injury being one, Pilates has proven itself time and again. My lows give me the ability to empathise with my clients and understand how they feel when going through challenging experiences. Humility and humour are great tools when connecting with people who can feel quite vulnerable when they first come to a class or private session.
What do you specialise in/who can you help in particular?
I work with everyone from teenagers to amazing folks in their 80’s (they don’t look it!). People come to see me for a whole host of different reasons, including strengthening both during and after injuries as well as for specific events or alongside another fitness program, pre- and postnatally for a quicker recovery and building strength once baby has arrived (it’s always lovely to see mamas come back with their babes in arms when they do the post-natal class). Fundamentally Pilates is a way of moving functionally well that maintains your body through your life, so I would say I specialise in treating everyone and can help anyone who is willing!
What is the latest development for you – you have a new studio?
I’ve just opened my new studio on Unthank Rd in the Golden Triangle area of Norwich and I love it! To have my own space that encompasses all that I’m looking to share as a studio experience has been a dream for some time, however finding it in the right location has been a challenge!
I am very lucky and feel very grateful to have a very loyal client base (some who have been with me since I first moved back from America in 2009) who keep me very busy.
A significant proportion of them live in this area and, as I also live in the area, I wasn’t willing to shift my base. When this new space came up, it was the first time I walked into a property and felt excited about what it could be, so I knew it was worth chasing.
Once all the work has been completed internally (ongoing while I’m still teaching in the space, but almost there!), it will have a treatment room, with a private entrance. The treatment room will have a women’s health focus, which is something I am also passionate about providing – the professionals that you would like to see all under one roof, that could never be a bad thing right?
Where can people find you/find out more?
My new studio is at 129 Unthank Rd in Norwich. My website has lots of info on it, including my schedule christinafulcherpilates.co.uk but please do get in touch with any specific questions.
What would your message be to anyone thinking of trying Pilates for the first time?
Do it! Ok, I’ll elaborate…Pilates can take a bit of perseverance as it requires a connection of mind and body and that can be quite challenging if you’re used to tuning out when exercising, but my goodness is it worth it!
It’s a way of maintaining your body through your whole life, that can give you a sense of inner strength that you didn’t know you had – who wouldn’t want that!
Christina Fulcher Pilates Studio – 129 Unthank Rd, Norwich.
Featured images – supplied
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