Who are we

All our teachers are professionals and we are passionate about offering high-quality equipment pilates in Helsinki. All our teachers teach also in English.

TUULA

Owner/Teacher (Finnish, English)

Tuula is a pilates, yoga and barre teacher and founder/entrepreneur of SILTA JOOGA PILATES. As of summer 2022, she is also the owner of Proud Pilates. In addition, she is a mother, the happy servant of a small miniature dachshund, and an MBA with a long career in global business life.

Tuula's background is in jazz dance as well as a wide range of different sports over the years.

She is a PilatesHealth instructor from the Finnish Institute of Health and Fitness and have completed the Pilates instructor and Reformer Pilates advanced trainings at Somatic Studio and under the leadership of Heikki Lempiäinen. She is also a certified yoga and barre teacher. Her passion is the human body and anatomy, so she constantly educates herself in the field of anatomy as well.

"Words can't describe the impact pilates can have on one's body. You just have to try it yourself. I can say this from my own experience as I can see the difference in my own body after starting to practice pilates on regular basis. I have never been so strong and flexible as I am now. Also, different stages of life might demand different kind of movement. Welcome to Proud Pilates and Silta - happy to help you with any questions you might have!"

ULLA

Teacher (Finnish, English)

Ulla is a pilates professional with solid experience guiding you gently and purposefully. As a career changer, Ulla completely changed her life in 2004 when she started to study different body management methods, first training as a Method Putkisto instructor in 2004, and from there she continued with pilates instructor studies, first mat pilates in 2006 and equipment pilates in 2011. At the same time, she also completed physiotherapy subject studies and sports medicine studies. Ulla has also worked at Somatic Studio as a trainer for pilates instructors and other exercise professionals in the years 2011-2019.

The people who strongly influenced Ulla's Pilates instruction are Pilates teacher, Alexander technique teacher Mitsi Pippa (1958-2015), whose watchmaker's precise guidance and teaching she enjoyed for many years, and Jennifer Stacey M.S (1963-2021) Pilates second generation teacher's teacher, exercise physiologist/biomechanist, whose numerous trainings she has had the pleasure of participating in and of course many other trainers, colleagues and above all customers, whom Ulla herself learns all the time while teaching. In her own teaching, she relies on original movements and movement sequences with their variations, but also actively studies what new information is available about movement and the human body and takes it into account in her teaching.

ANNA-MARI

Teacher (Finnish, English)

Anna-Mari is a pilates instructor, piano pedagogue and master of music born in Seinäjoki in southern Ostrobothnia. Pilates, in its various forms, has been an important part of her life for over ten years.

Anna-Mari graduated as a SomaticPilates instructor from the Somatic Center in 2018, and she completed the Reformer equipment instructor training in spring of 2022 under the guidance of Heikki Lempiäinen.

Anna-Mari is an intense and curious learner by nature. She visualizes flowing movement, its control and esthetics as an important part of a balanced, good life. Anna-Mari's long experience as a pedagogue in the field of music brings a pleasant, multifaceted dialogue to pilates guidance and body control. She enjoys putting words to different phenomena, and often lets her thoughts and imagination flow when teaching.

In Anna-Mari's opinion, practicing pilates roots and stabilizes the body and mind both at work and in everyday life. Controlled and focused movement brings strength, flexibility and a good feeling.

TERHI

Teacher (Finnish, English)

Movement has always been an important part of everyday life for Terhi. A new perspective on movement and taking care of one's own health and well-being was only found later, when one's own health was at stake. Pilates made an indelible impression on Terhi, leaving her with the experience of its rehabilitative power. "Pilates is a fun and rewarding way to take care of yourself. In the midst of the rush, we can almost lose ourselves under the task of doing everything. I feel that pilates can restore the natural connection with oneself, clarifying thoughts and strengthening and calming the body and mind. I am a tradenomist from my previous education. So there is experience of the hustle and bustle of office work and sitting with all its side effects", says Terhi.

Years of pilates hobby helped Terhi find my own path, which became the Pilates path. She graduated as a Somatic Pilates instructor in 2013, and got Lolita's Legacy mat and equipment teacher qualification in 2016, after studying for 1.5 years at Pilates Place Tampere. Terhi is constantly updating her skills. In addition, she is a Somatic Stretching and a Spiral Stabilization instructor. She loves music and dancing, especially Nia dance.

"Pilates is one of the most important things in my life, and I couldn't imagine life without it. I want to share this feeling with my clients as well. As a teacher, I am professional, gentle and encouraging. My goal is to increase your body awareness and help you in your goal towards better physical and mental well-being."

ANNA

Teacher (English, Italian, French, Finnish)

Anna is a highly experienced and dedicated movement instructor, specializing in both Pilates and Gyrotonic.

Anna is originally from Italy, but has lived for years around Europe. In her class you can hear English, Italian, French and also a bit of Finnish!

With over 18 years of successful teaching experience, she brings knowledge of wealth and expertise to her clients. She has a Cranio Sacrale certification as well.

Anna comes from a background of dancing. She worked in several dance companies all over Europe for 20 years. She was working and living in Finland for many years, and now she is happy to return and she will also focus on learning the Finnish language.

After several injuries, Anna has experienced firsthand how effective Pilates and Gyrotonic are as exercises and rehabilitation. She has tools for training that can prevent injuries and, if necessary, rehabilitate.

Due to her dancing background, Anna is a great teacher for the "Reformer for dancers" class, because she knows what challenges especially dancers face in their work.

She has a very good knowledge of human anatomy, so she can 'read' your body, detect physical issues and customize workouts to meet your personal needs. Not only does Anna have certification and experience, she is also supportive, imaginative and passionate about her work. Join Anna and experience the power of Pilates as you discover a stronger, more balanced, and healthier you.

ALESSANDRA

Teacher (English, Portuguese)

Alessandra is a sports enthusiast who believes exercise is medicine.

She is a Brazilian specialist physiotherapist in orthopedic and trauma and a Pilates instructor who has been working with exercise rehabilitation and Pilates since 2014.

Pilates has been an important method for developing a functional and healthy body. In addition, Pilates helps us to connect better with our body, thus improving not only the physical aspects but also body awareness. Due to her background in orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, and endurance sports( running and triathlon), her classes are dynamic and creative, focusing on functional movements to improve strength, mobility and motor control.

Currently, she is finishing her Master's degree in Biology of Physical Activity (Biomechanics) at the University of Jyväskylä. Alessandra specializes in Orthopedic and Trauma Physiotherapy (Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Clinics Hospital of Medical School, University São Paulo HCFM USP, Brazil), has a degree in Physiotherapy (Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, FMRP USP, Brazil) and, comprehensive Pilates Training (Brazilian Institute of Pilates, Ebra) and postural ball & gymnastic knowledge.

WHAT DO WE DO?

We are a classical Pilates studio, and we honour the original method but with a flair for fun!

Everything we do is heavily invested in the work of Joseph Pilates - but we are a studio that is passionate about learning and we don't mind having a bit of out-of-the-box fun every now and again.

OUR SCHEDULE

You can find our schedule and availability in the BOOK A CLASS page.

WHAT'S OUR STORY?

Proud Pilates was started in 2019 by Johanna. In summer 2022 there was a change of ownership as Tuula stepped in to take charge of the studio with a great team of teachers. Your card is valid at Proud Pilates and at SILTA JOOGA PILATES in Lauttasaari. At SILTA we offer a wide variety of equipment pilates (with modern Balanced Body Allegro reformers, EXO chairs and springboard) and also mat classes of pilates, yoga and barre. We arrange also yoga retreats and other special classes. Please check out the website joogakoulusilta.com

We hope to be able to offer you fun and sweaty classes so welcome to join our fantastic community in Punavuori and Lauttasaari!

WHERE ARE WE?

Proud Pilates studio is located in the heart of the Punavuori district in southern Helsinki.

The studio address is Merimiehenkatu 29, Helsinki. Walk through the double metal doors, up the ramp to the inner courtyard and buzz up to us on the 3rd floor.

SILTA JOOGA PILATES studio is located in the heart of Lauttasaari in western Helsinki. We are 1 minute walk from metro and there is free parking space in front of the studio. The address is Tallbergin puistotie 7. www.joogakoulusilta.com