Our Team
Our Team
Karen Prato
Founder of Pure Movement Pilates - Pilates Teacher & Personal Trainer
Trading the glamour of the international casino scene for a life of movement, I left behind sun-drenched beaches and Pina Coladas to pursue my passion for health and fitness. My journey began in 1994 as an aerobics instructor and personal trainer. However, it wasn’t until I discovered Pilates in the late 90s that everything shifted. I was captivated by its emphasis on mindful movement, precision, and flow. This ignited a deep curiosity within me, and I was eager to learn more.
I began my Pilates journey by learning to teach matwork in Toronto, Canada. I soon delved deeper, seeking further training, and embarked on my first apprenticeship in London with BASI Pilates, where I was introduced to the apparatus. This experience opened my eyes to a completely new dimension of Pilates, a world beyond the mat.
Driven by this newfound understanding, I pursued further training in the classical Pilates method, focusing on the original principles and exercises. This profound experience solidified my decision to open a studio dedicated to this authentic approach.
In 2016, I combined my expertise in personal training with the principles of classical Pilates. I offer clients personalised programmes that empower them to achieve their individual goals, overcome any hurdles they may face, build confidence and enjoy a renewed experience of movement.
I’m a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new knowledge and sharing my expertise with others. I’ve mentored instructors at my studio and presented on various Pilates topics, inspiring both clients and fellow teachers to grow and thrive through the transformative power of movement.
I look forward to meeting you in one of my classes or a 1:1 private session.
Karen
Hey there! I’m Karen, the force behind Pure Movement Pilates, and I am beyond thrilled to share my exhilarating journey with you. Let me take you back to 1994 when my life took a complete turn. From being an International Croupier, I made a bold decision to dive headfirst into the Health and Fitness Industry, and oh boy, what a ride it has been.
Before my deep dive into the world of Pilates, I had an exciting journey as an aerobics teacher and Personal Trainer and worked in some of the most prestigious health clubs in and around London.
In the late 90’s, I stumbled upon Pilates and little did I know that it would become a profound passion and transformative force in my life. It captivated me from the very beginning, and I made the bold decision to fully immerse myself in the world of Pilates and in 2000 the start of my journey led me to Toronto, Canada, where I embarked on my initial Pilates training.
After teaching for three years, my insatiable thirst for knowledge led me to embark on my first apprenticeship, immersing myself in the world of Pilates apparatus. Through ongoing education and workshops, I not only expanded my skills but also continuously self-discovered and enhanced my abilities as a teacher. It was during this transformative period that I witnessed the profound impact of my teaching on others, igniting a deep love for guiding and empowering my students.
In 2003 my thirst for knowledge led me to embark on my first Pilates apprenticeship, where I discovered the Pilates apparatus and began teaching in various studios and for an Osteopathic clinic.
In 2009, a pivotal moment in my career sparked a deep questioning of the knowledge I had acquired. It became evident that something vital was missing. The Pilates method I had been exposed to felt diluted, and the essence of the work had been lost along the way. This realisation ignited a profound curiosity within me and a burning desire to uncover the authentic roots of Pilates.
Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity, I embarked on a quest to find teachers who had received training directly from Joseph Pilates’ protégés or had immersed themselves in the classical approach under the guidance of 1st generation teachers. Eventually I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a truly exceptional teacher who had the privilege of being trained by Romana Kryzanowska, a highly esteemed student of Joseph Pilates himself. This encounter proved to be transformative, as it allowed me to truly understand and experience the authentic essence of the Pilates method and reignited my passion.
This transformative journey led me to fulfilling my dream of opening a fully equipped studio where individuals could fully immerse themselves and experience authentic Pilates and the incredible benefits of Personal Training, and in 2011, I made this happen!
I invite you to come and be part of my dream.
Karen
Louise Mulcahy
Pilates Teacher
Who knew Pilates would make such a difference to my life both personally and professionally. I first stepped into a Matwork class with Pure Movement Pilates in 2013 after many pleas from my consultant to just try it and see if it helped ease the chronic back pain I had suffered for many years. Physiotherapy, osteopathy, injections all helped a little but not enough and not for any length of time so I was desperate to find something to help and hopefully something that would give continued pain relief not just short term.
I didn’t really know anything about Pilates but my perception like many other was that you lie on a mat and do lots of slow stretchy things! Oh, how wrong I was! I loved the atmosphere my teacher created in the class, it was inspiring and fun! I loved working with the repertoire and the transitions to achieve flow. It was hard work, but my body felt great for it and the back pain that I had suffered for years was so much better without any medical intervention. The cherry on top was that over time with commitment and practice my body shape changed dramatically. I had always been active, going to the gym, running, cycling, but nothing had this effect on my body. I moved better, looked better and felt better!
Pilates became a real passion in my life and when I realised how much it gave me and how much I loved it I wanted others to feel the same. So, after many years of working in the corporate world I took a leap of faith in 2016 to leave it all behind and retrain to become a Classical Pilates Teacher both in Matwork and Studio Pilates. I have been in my happy place ever since, continuing to learn and grow as a teacher.
I love seeing so many clients fall in love with Pilates and getting so much from it, be that reduced pain, improving fitness levels, changing their body shape or simply the enjoying the social interaction. There is so much to be gained with regular practice. I hope to meet you at the studio sometime soon where I hope you also find a little bit of love for the Pilates Method.