About Hanson Pilates

Meet the Team

 

The Hanson Pilates team in West Lothian is led by Debbie Hanson. She is assisted in the delivery of Pilates Teacher training courses by Mandy Robertson, an expert in her filed which includes Remedial Pilates and Sports Massage.

Pilates Instructors are Jenni Bruce, Laura Campbell and Maria Hybzser.

 

Debbie Hanson has been a teacher, course lecturer, assessor and verifier of Pilates since 2002.
In the years following, she has built up a team of training course leaders shoes experience and qualifications are evident in their course delivery.
Debbie was trained and mentored by Michael King, and more recently experienced the tutoring of Lolita san Miguel, one of the Joseph Pilates original “disciples”. As well as being course director at Hanson Pilates for Pilates Level 3 Instructor Training delivery, Debbie still maintains her own teaching and personal training schedule in West Lothian. This encompasses not just Pilates, but Hatha Yoga, and children’s “Yoga Bees”; sessions of activity, imaginations and yoga for tots to teens.

Debbie is also approved as a tutor of the Youth Sport Trust “Start to Play” and “Top Tots” training courses.

 

Mandy Robertson has a B.Ed. (Hons) degree in Physical Education as well as qualifications in Mat Work and Remedial Pilates, Swedish massage, Sports Massage, Advanced Remedial Massage and Kinesio taping.

She has over 20 years experience in teaching PE and Outdoor Pursuits and over 7 years experience in lecturing within the fitness industry. Her specialist knowledge allows her to lecture on the clinical side of Pilates including the use of Pilates in controlling chronic back pain, one to one Pilates and the role of Pilates in improving posture.
Mandy currently works full time at Edinburgh Sports Injury Clinic where she uses her Pilates knowledge to rehabilitate people with: back/spinal injuries, chronic back pain, postural problems and post natal women. She has a particular interest in working with athletes of various levels who are aiming to enhance their sporting performance by using Pilates to retrain muscle recruitment patterns.

Her spare time is spent hill walking, cycling, mountain biking and running.

Her Pilate’s qualifications include:
• Mat Work Pilates
• Remedial Pilates
• Pilates and Seniors
• Pilates in Pregnancy
• Clinical Posture and Pilates
• Back Care and Pilates
• Neck and Shoulder and Pilates
• Pelvis and Hip and Pilates
• Knee and Ankle and Pilates

Elaine joined the Hanson Pilates team in November 2006. Having started her working life as a nurse and midwife, she went into the computing industry, more by accident than career choice! Then ensued a spell as Manager of a nursing agency, followed by Operations Manager of an out-of-hours emergency GP co-operative. Her most recent post prior to joining the Hanson Pilates was as Accounts Administrator for a company of Independent Financial Advisors. Over the years Elaine has gained a great deal of experience in management, administration and accounts.

"I am thrilled to have joined the Hanson Pilates team and am very interested in the physical and mental wellbeing that the various classes and therapies on offer can provide. Having felt the health benefits of Reflexology for many years, I hope to join one of the Pilates classes soon to improve my appalling posture!"

 

 

Jean Shanks

Jean has attended Pilates classes for more than 10 years. Based on the benefits accrued on this attendance, she decided to embark upon Pilates teacher training. Pilates is an effective antidote to a sedentary “other” career and she now enjoys imparting these benefits to others.
Jean teaches Pilates based on both original and modified moves. This focuses on isolating and strengthening the deep postural muscles of the trunk which improves posture and helps reduce the risk of back injury.

 

Judy Rintoul

(information to follow)

 

Jenni has worked as a PE teacher for many (many) years. She originally worked in the secondary sector but is now a visiting primary specialist teaching PE to children from nursery to primary 7 in various schools. Over the years she has both taught and participated in many and varied adult exercise classes and sports.

She "found" Pilates - courtesy of Hanson Pilates - a few years ago and really enjoyed the "mind-focusing" aspect, as well as the physical side, of the exercise challenges. She then decided she would like to teach it as well as just take part so trained for the group matwork qualification.

Pilates Qualifications

Pilates Institute Certificate in Pilates Fundamental Matwork    May 2006
Pilates in Pregnancy Training   May 2006
Pilates in Seniors Training     May 2006
Healthy Backs      March 2006
Clinical Posture   October  2006

 

 

Yoga instructors are Sharon Kilgour & Tina Gilbert.

Sharon Kilgour

Sharon has been practicing yoga since 1990 and decided to further her personal practice and knowledge, and began the British Wheel of Yoga foundation course, followed by the Teacher Training diploma. She has been teaching adults since 2005. More recently she has started teaching children and pregnant women which Sharon considers both such a privilege to teach.

 

Tina as been practicing yoga since 1999 and trained with the International Sivananda School of Hatha Yoga in 2005. In 2006, Tina attended a 3 week yoga Pilgrimage to deepen her practice of yoga and meditation in India,the land where yoga began. Tina totally believes in the benefits yoga can bring physically and mentally when practiced regularly and shares those benefits in her class. Tina meditates every day, teaches to over 65's and children, certified through Yoga'd Up and also works as an Oncology Nurse Specialist during the day.

 

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Letters of Recommendation

 

Dr. Craig D. Costa B.S., D.C.

"I am honoured to nominate Debbie Hanson and Hanson Pilates for women in business award for numerous reasons.

Ms. Hanson provides an invaluable service to the local community. Her Pilates classes teach and promote flexibility, relaxation and spinal hygiene. The teaching of these values promotes accountability of ones health, and changes the mindset that health is merely the absence of symptoms. She has taken Pilates and made it a way of life for many people, which in turn prevents many musculo-skeletal problems that are so prevalent in our society.

These ideas are well received by the community and are evident by her constant full enrolment of her classes. I have known Ms. Hanson for two years, and referred many of my own patients to her classes, because I am fully confident in the fact Ms. Hanson's knowledge and the one-to-one experience that she provides to her clients is unmatched in this area. I am sure that Hanson Pilates growth potential is only limited to the fact that there is only 24 hours in the day, and I look forward to working with her for years to come."

 

Dr Janet Paton

"I am writing in support of Hanson Pilates for the Women in Business Awards. I have attended Pilates classes taken by Debbie, Susan and Mandy for around a year now and have attended one of their 'Body in Balance' days. They also run several yoga classes.

From the personal viewpoint, I started to attend the classes on the recommendation of my physiotherapist, who advised me that the exercises would improve my core stability, which would improve my back pain. I am happy to say that she was correct. Perhaps more importantly, I also enjoy attending the classes. No two classes are ever the same. The exercises vary from week to week in terms of both content and level of difficulty. The classes are all of a manageable size so that individual attention can be given. There are several levels of class available, to cope with the varying levels of experience of the participants, ranging from Beginners to Intermediate 2. At each class there are also several options in terms of level of difficulty within each particular exercise, so that everyone can work at their own level.

From the professional point of view, in my work as a general medical practitioner, I find it helpful to have local classes that I can recommend to my patients with back problems. I can be confident that at the beginning of each class they will be asked if they have any problems with their back or other joints, and that they will be given appropriate advice depending on their individual problem and level of experience with Pilates.

At the 'Body on Balance' days, in addition to Pilates and Yoga, other disciplines are available, including, for example, reflexology, indian head massage, Bowen Technique massage and Shiatsu-based stretching exercises. There is also an opportunity to have a computerised postural analysis from a local chiropractor.

I know that Hanson Pilates would like to develop further within the community and to provide a service for particular groups such as pregnant women, which I am sure would be very useful.

I am sure that they will be successful in all their ventures because they are so enthusiastic and committed to providing a first class service."

 

Anne van der Meer

"As a health professional, I would like to strongly support Debbie Hanson for this award, for her inspired and hard-working contribution to the improved health and wellbeing of the community.

The Pilates and yoga classes have provided therapeutic exercise for all sectors of the population of West Lothian.

Individuals with specific health conditions, eg. multiple sclerosis, back problems, stress-related disorders and pregnancy have derived great benefit from this form of exercise class. The exercises are adapted according to the specific condition. The improvement from these classes has enabled people to enjoy a better quality of life, with less dependency on NHS resources.

The 'Body in Balance' sessions which Debbie has arranged have included other therapies, eg. indian head massage, reflexology, hypnotherapy and chiropractic - this has enabled people to explore other alternative therapies, and provide the opportunity for other therapists to introduce themselves.

With her enthusiasm and dedication, Debbie has provided an invaluable service to all areas of West Lothian, by recruiting and training other instructors, to extend the facilities and availability to the general public. Debbie has provided employment and improved health and fitness, and I have no hesitation in giving my support to this worthy enterprise, which I feel should receive every encouragement for its promotion throughout West Lothian."

 

Pilates has saved our lives

"It is probably widely appreciated that back pain can render everyday tasks impossible and destroy the quality of life and that nobody is immune from this scourge.

What is perhaps less well known is that back pain is not generally helped by bed rest and can instead be resolved with core stability exercises, a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and treatment to ease symptoms and tackle the problem.

Since attending classes with Hanson Pilates we have come to recognise the obvious benefits of Pilates exercises in ways we could never have dared to hope for or foreseen.

Both of us feel physically and mentally better, we have more energy, and are in less pain.

(Muriel) finds she is now able to cope better with routine daily living tasks such as household cleaning and tidying.   She is now able to go for local 40 minute walks where before she would be overwhelmed with exhaustion and need to frequently rest due to severe pain.   She now also has the confidence to drive without fear of her back suddenly seizing up in pain without warning.

(Bert's) muscles on his left side had wasted due to having a stroke and he found simple tasks like getting in and out of the bath, turning in bed, threading his arm into a jacket or coat, bending down to tie shoe laces challenging.   From doing Pilates exercises his body shape is much slimmer as a result and his overall posture improved.   He is now able to mobilise his left shoulder and left side of his body much weakened by stroke illness and can cope well with all daily living tasks.

We would urge anyone with back, shoulder or neck pain conditions to consider attending a Hanson Pilates class whose instructors are affiliated to the Pilates Institute in London and who maintain safe reliable standards at all times. "

 

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Awards

The outstanding achievements of Hanson Pilates were recognised when the team received the runners-up award in the annual West Lothian Women in Business Awards programme.

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Complementary Therapies

Complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, reflexology and Reiki are able to bring about great benefits to health and well-being. Indian Head Massage is a fabulous way to unwind and relieve migraine headaches, neck and shoulder tension, and sinus problems.

Such treatments can instill tremendous feelings of relaxation and calm. They can be used to address physical problems such as muscular stiffness, headaches, joint pains and circulatory problems. At an emotional level, they are of equal benefit, in times of anxiety, depression or distress.

The benefits of complementary therapies can be reaped both during and for some time after the treatment. The treatments described below can be combined to suit each client's requirements - pick and mix your own package of relaxation!

 

Aromatherapy

Massage using a specially tailored blend of essential oils, which bring about therapeutic benefit to mind and body.

Full body treatment, approx. 1 1/4 hr	£40.00
Back, neck and shoulders, approx. 45 mins	£30.00

 

Indian Head Massage

A one hour clothed and seated treatment of head, face, neck, back and shoulders. Designed for total relaxation and stress relief.

£30.00

Reflexology

A treatment of the feet, using pressure points which relate to the whole body, to induce a feeling of balance and wellbeing. Also using essential oils and lasting 1 hour.

£30.00

Reiki

A healing treatment, lasting 1 hour, of hand holds over the body, using relaxing music and helping create a balance of energy channels throughout the body and mind.

£30.00

Vertical Reflex Therapy

A very targeted form of reflexology, performed with the client standing for an initial 10 minutes, to allow more specific access to tender reflexes, and followed in lying position with work on zonal pathways to address specific ailments or tension. Total time 35 mins.

£25.00

Yogamassage

Combine 45 mins. of Hatha yoga (meditation, breathing and stretching) with a 45 minute back, neck and shoulder aromatherapy treatment to release both mental and physical tensions. Total 1 1/2 hours.

£45

 

Complementary therapy gift vouchers also available

 

Note - Please allow an additional 15 minutes for consultation prior to treatment. Prices shown are for treatments at clients home or at Hanson Pilates. Home visits within a 15 mile radius will be subject to a £5 call-out charge, and within 25 miles a £10 call-out charge will be applied. Please give 24 hours notice of cancellation, otherwise appointments will be charged in full.

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