Our education and philosophy | P.E.A.R. Certified Pilates Teacher's training

Teacher Training
Delivering courses since 2007

Our Philosophy

We aim to deliver teacher's training of the highest standards. We teach the Pilates method with its varied styles and influences from Classical (NY), West Coast, Santa Fe, London and Remedial Pilates, with consideration of up to date research of common degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. With attention to detail, comprehension and continuity, we can tailor our programmes to achieve the best training for individual teacher trainees . We encourage students to develop intuition, observation skills, search for subtleties and fine tune their bodies. You learn how to teach individuals rather than a set format of Pilates exercises, and we will help you to become an outstanding teacher.

Pilates is a therapeutic method. Physical restrictions become a stimulus for the accomplished teacher rather than a restriction. Time, practice, and an open mind are key factors. Our bodies are made of many systems meant to work in harmony within and with the surroundings. Pilates teaches us awareness, to become conscious of our body and its links, and promotes everyday functionality. The Method enables us to advance our physical skills and helps our recovery from injuries and ailments. We learn to explore our bodies safely, and efficiently receive and give stimuli to achieve Mind-Body connection.

Our repertoire is rich with emphasis on principles such as relaxation, skeletal alignment, breathing and focus. We support your supervised teaching hours and encourage you to practice with dedication.

We evolve and enrich the technique with new ideas and aspire that our contribution to the Pilates education grows in time.

The Full Story

Ellie Ioannidou and Gordon Thomson formed THE BODY CONTROL PILATES ORGANISATION LIMITED in 2007 after Gordon's departure from Body Control Pilates. The company changed to PILATES BODY EUROPE LIMITED in 2009.

They delivered numerous long courses which Ellie Ioannidou designed and taught between 2007-2013 on Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair and workshops on Barrels and apparatus, in London at the Body Control and Rehabilitation Centre in South Kensington and in Portugal, Cascais at Maria Larsen's Pilates establishment.

Great reputation followed through this enterprise with a big number of the teachers they trained returning for more training, mentorship, and even repeating courses. Courses were updated and improved constantly and the manuals enriched. With the closure of Body Control and Rehabilitation Centre in 2013, Ellie joined Trevor Blount's studio in South Kensington(2013-2016), founded Pilates Education & Research Ltd in 2014, and continued delivering teacher's training in London, Scotland and Portugal.

In 2016 Ellie Ioannidou opened the new premises for Pilates Education & Research Ltd at 125 Gloucester Road. This was followed by a hiatus in delivering courses until 2021 when Pilates Education & Research Ltd participated in a government apprenticeship programme for training young students. In 2022, in a collaboration with Richard Budd, P.E.A.R. delivered a new Comprehensive year-long programme in Teaching Pilates . This inspiring return to Teacher's Training led to an 18 month long Comprehensive-Apprenticeship training exclusive to young dancers and performers in 2023.

Returning to a more modular but complete and continuous programme from January 2025 we are welcoming students with varied backgrounds and experience.

The Team

Experienced, accomplished and successful, our team will mentor you, and help you achieve high teaching standards as a new teacher or enrich your teaching technique if you seek development.