About the Studio.
I believe in the power of movement as part of a holistic approach to health. I believe in the power of education. I believe in the power of community and I believe in the power of women. The aim of this studio is to share and promote all of these.
This bespoke, fully equipped Pilates studio in Stavanger, Norway, offers Pilates classes for 1,2 and 3 people as well as in-person and online workshops specifically focused towards pre-natal, post-natal and menopausal women. It is an intimate space, often reverberating with laughter, sometimes awash with tears and at other times it gets a bit sweaty. Every session is tailored to give you and your body what you need in that moment. The aim is to have fun moving and to provide you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your wellbeing.
“I believe in the power of community and I believe in the power of women.”
About me.
I am a classically trained Level Three Peak Pilates instructor who stuck her head down the warren hole of women’s health and has been burrowing ever since. The body fascinates me, especially the female body, which evolves throughout life to do the most amazing things.
Working with hundreds of women, often with challenges such as Diastasis Recti, hysterectomy, sacroiliac joint pain, cancer treatment and common ailments of the menopause such as Planta Fasciitis has challenged me to expand my knowledge beyond classical Pilates and to explore other forms of movement, nourishment, breath and stress management.
I have built a network of wonderful and supportive educators and joined groups and forums of people across the world who are also dedicated to helping women understand, explore and find more love for their bodies. Locally, I have a little black book of trusted specialists, such as women’s health physiotherapists and soft tissue workers who can help clients build a more holistic approach to your health. Finally, I also hope that through this studio we can build a community of women, both locally and globally, who lift up and empower each other.
Having recently had my fourth child, wrapped up Stavanger Pilates and launched this studio, 2022 is a year of gradual growth and offerings while leaving enough time to embrace my family and take care of my own health. There is a lot more coming so keep checking in!.
This is why I love Pilates. It's so much more than exercise. It's a system that teaches us about ourselves.
— Cathy Strongman
Pic by: @hilarystz
My qualifications.
A History degree from Cambridge University and a masters in The History of Design from The Royal College of Art.
A 15-year career as a journalist and author of 4 books
Peak Pilates Level III certification
Pre-and Post Natal certification from The Centre for Women's Fitness
Bbarreless certification combining dance with Pilates
An instructor at Club Westside, Houston and at The House of Movement in Stavanger.
Launched and co-owned Stavanger Pilates
Advanced Post Natal and Wellness Practitioner, Level 2 with Burrell Education
Advanced Pre Natal and Wellness Practitioner, Level 2 with Burrell Education.
Post Natal Nutrition with Burrell Education
Diastasis Rectus Abdominis & the Implications for Low Back and Pelvic Health with Diane Lee
Pelvic Flow and Freedom course with Burrell Education.
Anatomy Trains in Structure and Function Online Course.
Anatomy Trains Dissection Livestreams including specialist topics such as Lumbopelvic stability
Anatomy Trains Restoration and Vitality for the Female Pelvis
The Fascial Pelvis, with the Fascia Hub
The Fascial Foot, with the Fascia Hub
The Fascial Spine, with the Fascia Hub
Workshops including:
-Working with Scoliosis with Meredith Stephens, Breath
-The New Science of a Lost Art with James Nestor.
-Can Fasciae be a Pain Generator with Carla Stecco.
-Balancing the Diaphragms with Julie Hammond.
-Understanding and Working with Osteoporosis with Meredith Stephens.
-Upper Cross Syndrome Self Treat. Defeat This Pain in the Neck/Back/Shoulders with Jill Miller.
-The Birth Healing Summit 2020 and 2021.