Meet Kerry

Kerry was a professional ballet dancer for fifteen years. She enjoyed touring the world, dancing the classics with The Ballet Russe, St Petersburg State Ballet and English National Ballet. Her highlights include performing Swan Lake at Wembley for Diana’s Memorial Concert, Romeo and Juliet at Buckingham Palace for the Queen and Prince Phillip and being promoted to first artist by English National Ballet. Patrick Baldwin’s picture of Kerry dancing one of her favourite roles in Strictly Gershwin can still be found hanging at the Albert Hall.

Kerry first started Pilates as part of her dance training at Tring Park – it became integral to maintaining her strength and form, preventing injuries and rehabilitation throughout her career. However, it was whilst recovering from M.E (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) that she discovered the undeniable therapeutic benefits of practising Pilates.

Following her retirement from dancing, Kerry completed a year-long apprenticeship, studying mat work and equipment (including Core Align and Bodhi system) under Alan Herdman and Tring Pilates Studio. She was offered a job immediately, and went on to manage the studio. During this initiation into the movement therapy world, Kerry not only formed her own teaching style but learned from mentors, colleagues and clients – learning how to adapt to the needs of the general public, and to work safely with disabled people.

After a few years of teaching, Kerry started to look for other tools to further help clients, and subsequently completed courses with Graham Stones and Dr Perry Nickelston – exploring the lymphatic, nervous, vascular and cognitive systems. She learned specifically designed methods to aid health and well-being.

Thanks to the Dancer’s Career Development Fund, Kerry was able to set up her home studio – “The Movement Sanctuary” which doubles as a fully equipped Pilates/treatment space and digital studio.