Pilates Classes in Newlands

Learn to move well

Learning to move well is a skill – and it’s a great way to tangibly improve your quality of life. Instead of just accepting the various aches and pains that tend to come with injury and time, we can instead actively improve our capacity for high quality movement. Creating change entails identifying the restrictions in your movement, analysing the movement habits that no longer work well for you, or are contributing to movement dysfunction or pain, and then, over time, developing a variety of new and better movement strategies. This requires focus, self awareness, persistence and attention to detail. The goal is increased freedom of movement, higher levels of body awareness and movement control, improved joint strength and resilience and a greater physical capacity to live your life well. We use pilates-based and joint mobility techniques to help you develop these movement skills.

We offer exclusive private and semi-private classes at our home studio in Fernwood, Newlands. No group classes means you get all of our attention, all of the time.

We have experience working with a diverse range of ages, bodies, and fitness levels, as well as experience working with those who are apprehensive about starting or restarting an exercise regime.

Pilates

Our pilates classes are based on contemporary pilates methods. These include breathwork, core stability and spine mobility techniques. We explore these concepts through mat work, equipment work (reformer, cadillac, ladder barrel and chair) and exercises using dumbbells, bands and balls. 

Learning pilates-based techniques is a good way to develop a solid technical understanding of common movement patterns –  such as crunches, plank and cobra.  Applying a pilates perspective to exercises such as squats, deadlifts and pull-ups, can help you clean up your form in the gym, too. Expect less of a ‘high intensity, six-pack burn’ approach with us, and more of a ‘slow and controlled’ focus, emphasising technique, mindfulness and brain-body connection.

We prioritise breaking movements down into their most basic elements in order to develop a deep appreciation of detailed movement mechanics. We sometimes bring elements of joint-specific mobility training into our pilates classes, and we always adapt our approach to respond to your specific needs.

mat room pic 2

Mobility

Adding some mobility training to your exercise regime is an excellent way to level-up your body awareness and control, and to improve every aspect of how you move. The Functional Range Conditioning system (FRC) provides a thorough framework for analysing and improving joint health. We bring elements of FRC into our pilates classes, but do not offer stand-alone FRC classes at present. If you’re already familiar with the FRC system / Kinstretch, we can help you clean up your daily CARs and help you unpack any issues relating to closing angle joint symptoms, PAILs and RAILs etc. 

Sessions & Rates

Make an enquiry by clicking the WhatsApp button below, or fill out the form on the contact page.

Private sessions

Join us at our home studio, situated in the beautiful neighbourhood of Fernwood, Newlands (Cape Town).
ZAR 540 per session (60 mins)
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45-minute private sessions

A good option for teens, the elderly and anyone who prefers not to do an hour-long class.
ZAR 420 per session (45 mins)
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Semi-private sessions

Two people per session.
ZAR 745 total for 2 people, per session (60 mins)
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Online sessions

For international clients, and for local clients who travel.
Rates per session as stated above. We accept PayPal.
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Catherine Brodie

Catherine is a former professional dancer with international experience in musical theatre, and teaching qualifications in ballet and modern dance. She certified as a pilates teacher with Pilates Academy SA, Pilates Method Alliance and Body Control Pilates and has been teaching pilates-based work since 2005. She is a certified Functional Range Conditioning mobility specialist (FRC), and Functional Range Assessment provider (FRA). With an honours degree in analytical philosophy from the University of Cape Town, she understands the importance of conveying concepts clearly and accurately – a crucial component of effective teaching. 

Read what our current and former clients have to say

Catherine is absolutely magically masterful at what she does. I'm so very grateful to have learned from her, specifically and especially with regard to becoming aware of my body and movement at a level of detail and precision I had never imagined I could.She taught me skills that I didn't know were possible. Now in my 70s, I have a sense of ease and trust in my body that I've never had before. What Catherine has taught me will stay with me for life. She is absolutely one of a kind in my experience of many, many movement teachers. I view Catherine's highest expertise to be in the area of body awareness and correction of posture and function, which ensures wellbeing, highest performance and more - in other words, precision, consciousness and ability to feel and communicate with the body vs simply a great pilates workout.
Brenda
Brenda
Catherine is great. Whether it's fixing or adjusting form for exercise and sports or helping with aches and pains from working at a desk ,she has really helped me understand my body and introduce good movement into my daily life. She tailors your sessions to ensure you address any issues you have at the start, and helps you strengthen key muscles without class ever being too strenuous.
Roy
Roy
I started attending Catherine’s classes after I injured my back almost ten years ago. She has changed my life. I no longer experience back pain. Her knowledge and how she shares this is amazing. Most importantly her calm, firm and caring teaching style has allowed me to get to know my body and how to tweak my posture when I feel any discomfort. Be prepared though, I call Catherine the glute killer 😊. Finally through her guidance I have been able to do exercises that I would never have thought my curvy body would manage.
Fatima
Fatima
I started pilates with Catherine 4 years ago and I have not only seen but also felt the significant changes and strengthening in my body. My everyday physicality as well as specific sport performance have been improved and optimised, and I also have a much increased sense of well-being, harmony and connection with my body. Catherine’s sessions are productive, nourishing and effective for both body and mind. She is extremely diligent in providing highly individualised feedback and care, and respects that different bodies have different needs. I look forward to my weekly sessions and my overall mobility, flexibility, strength and body awareness have been improved in the long term. I notice the difference acutely when I’ve missed sessions, which for me shows how effective and powerful every single class is. I can’t recommend Catherine’s pilates strongly enough!
Aimee
Aimee
Catherine is remarkably knowledgeable. Her understanding and respect for the human body has completely changed my life. Can't imagine life without my weekly class!!
Rizqah
Rizqah
Catherine is a fantastic instructor. She understands the human anatomy and explains how the different parts of the body connect and work together. She is warm, patient and takes you on a journey of improved movement and a stronger core. I have learnt a lot since I’ve been seeing her. She is great :-).
Litle
Litle
Cath is a fantastic instructor who takes time to understand your body and needs, and helps you get stronger in the best way for you. Expect focus and engagement for long term improvements and well being.
Brenna
Brenna
I think Catherine is an excellent teacher who has the ability to make me 'see' (while I am lying nose-down on the floor) the mistakes in my movements and posture, without criticising. I can feel the improvement after each session and would not hesitate to recommend her classes to anyone.
Mareli
Mareli
As someone prone to injury due to hyper-mobility, Cath's intelligent and considered approach to pilates has restored my mobility and improved my confidence in my ability to exercise. Her hands-on manner served to educate me about anatomy which has gone a long way towards preventing further injury. I particularly commend her on her focus on form, her adaptation of exercises to accommodate existing injuries, her patience and positive disposition.
Gwynn
Gwynn
I joined Cath’s pilates classes for the many physical benefits that pilates offers, but the biggest takeaway for me has been learning so much about the human body and learning to tune into my own body. Cath is extremely knowledgeable and intuitive.
Alex
Alex
This was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Catherine has not only helped alleviate my chronic lower back pain, but also taught me so much about how my body works.
Lance
Lance
Great studio with extremely dedicated teacher.
Carla
Carla
We highly recommend Catherine Brodie. She is an excellent teacher who really gets the details right.
PhysioActive (physiotherapy practice)
PhysioActive (physiotherapy practice)
I have been most fortunate to practice with Catherine for over 10 years now, even with rheumatoid arthritis, and the result of this has been life changing. Through her guidance I now have a deep understanding of how to work with my body, what works for me and what doesn’t and my aches and pains have disappeared. I am stronger now at 50 than I have ever been.
Michelle
Michelle

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