After 15 years spent working in an office, and nearly ten of those years in FIFO deskbound jobs, I decided that something had to change. 

 

It didn't feel right to be in my early 30s, suffering from excruciating migraines and my neck, shoulders and hips in an almost constant state of pain. I thought waking up with a headache was normal. 

 

I exercised daily. I did the stretches. I considered myself strong. I worked at a sit/stand desk. I had the ergonomic keyboard and mouse. So why was I constantly visiting my physio to sort out my jammed neck? 

 

I was desperate to try anything to help myself. I'd heard about Pilates and the benefits of it so I went all in. I signed up to the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction after attending just one class. Sure, I could've attended classes in my two week break but I knew I had to be consistent, so fortnightly wasn't enough. Why not sign up to the Diploma, teach myself and understand my body more? So that's what I did. 

 

When I tell people that Pilates changed my life, I mean it. 

 

Six months into my training I was beyond ready to leave FIFO. Not only had Pilates reconnected me with my body, it had connected me to the most encouraging and supportive community. You could say it pretty much restored my faith in humanity! I'd also found a form of exercise that helped me to manage my blood sugars (I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 27 years old - that's a story for another time).

 

Less than a year later, in August 2020, Aniko Pilates came to life. 

 

I knew I wanted to create a sense of community. Belonging. 

 

A place where you can walk in as you are and be greeted by friendly and familiar faces. Where we play with movement and get curious about shapes rather than dictating that you need to move and look a certain way.