“We work not only on the hardware of the body, but also with the software of the mind”
Flex founder Heather Thomas
With studios across Hong Kong and Singapore and a global reputation as one of the leading figures in classical Pilates teacher training and practice, Flex Studio founder, Heather Thomas, is a sought-after trainer for those looking to elevate both their individual practice and their teaching and gain a deeper understanding of the principles of classical Pilates.
Heather has been teaching Pilate for over two decades, after completing her full Studio certification in 2002. She later studied traditional Pilates through Benjamin Degenhardt’s 360° Pilates in 2016 and received 3rd Generation Classical Pilates certification with Alycea Ungaro’s REAL Pilates in 2018.
Heather opened Hong Kong’s first Flex Studio in 2005, and Flex Studio Singapore in 2023. The studios have become both cities’ premier fitness destinations and Classical Pilates Teacher Training Centres with a growing global reputation for their meticulous attention to detail and understanding of clients’ needs and abilities.
Since completing her initial teacher training more than 20 years ago, Heather has continually invested in her own ongoing training and knows well the value of investing in life long education.
“Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know”.
Daniel J Boorstin
In January 2022 Heather was officially chosen to become a lead trainer for Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates Teacher Training and after almost a decade teaching the program across Asia, Heather officially entered the elite inner circle of one of the most globally prestigious Classical Pilates Teacher Training programs in the world.
She has worked intensively with Alycea Ungaro and her amazing team of Educators for several years, first as an Apprentice, then a Mentor, and now Lead Educator which allows her the opportunity to lead Teacher Training Seminars for those pursuing 3rd Generation Certification at Flex Studio in partnership with Real, and grooming Apprentices from beginner level through to final certification.
A key part of Heather’s approach to teaching and learning is to lead curated retreats and workshops across a range of Asian destinations to help empower participants to take control of their physical and mental well-being and elevate their knowledge and practice.
Heather’s ongoing passion for movement and the way the body works and responds stems for her decade-long training in classical ballet as a young girl, and subsequent daily yoga practice while living in New York City in the 1990’s.
While always focused on her fitness and movement, she combines her passion with a strong business background, with degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Columbia Business School, and brings a wealth of experience both personal and professional to all of her classes and workshops.
There is a reason that Heather’s studios have become a must go destination for Pilates and fitness enthusiasts in general who come to Flex to share her knowledge and deep understanding of movement, and the integration of mind and body imbued with both historical respect for the teachings and practice of founder Joseph Pilates and a sense of joy at the freedom of flexibility, strength and movement.
Heather delivers classical Pilates teacher training with attention to detail, historical context, and a playful deep dive to Mr Pilates’ work. Meticulous and exacting, Heather finds the talent in her students, and coaches them to the fullest potential and has since graduated over 50 apprentices with 3rd generation certification. Heather has been the mentor and driving force behind some of Asia’s best Pilates instructors and is keen to share her knowledge and experience across the Asian region.
Flex Intensives programs have fast gathered a reputation for their ability to upskill participants across a range of disciplines in a concentrated period to benefit directly from Heather’s insight and experience.
“They are by nature, intensive programs, designed to elevate your knowledge by learning directly in an almost one on one environment,” Heather explained from Flex’s Singapore studio as she prepares to take her tailored programs to Guangzhou in November and Bangkok in December.
The latest two international intensive programs follow two highly successful programs in Singapore in April and June and growing demand for her teaching practice across broader Asia.
“We do see many international clients at both our Hong Kong and Singapore studios who come to use because of our reputation for quality, attention to detail and meticulous practice that delivers real results.
“My ultimate aim is to share the physical and mental health benefits of Pilates with the world and to ensure that as many people as possible are embracing healthy, fit and active lifestyles and routines for as long as possible.”
The first intensive program will take place in Guangzhou over three days from November 1-3.
Heather will lead the three-day intensive, “Build your Foundation” which will focus on elevating participants’ knowledge of classical Pilates.
The specially tailored program, designed by Heather, is aimed at both instructors and clients seeking to elevate their knowledge of the practice as taught by its founder and to understand the sophisticated foundational principles of classical Pilates.
Pilates is growing in popularity among China’s fast-moving population says Heather with the number of studios growing in response to increasing demand.
“Many of the fitness and yoga instructors across China are looking to diversify their skills and move to a practice that is booming in the Western world.
“They are also keen for knowledge about a practice that has been proven highly effective for an ageing population but that is also popular with those looking to increase their fitness levels, with pre and post-natal women and those recovering from injury,” Heather said.
“While yoga has been extremely popular in China for many years, fitness studios are increasingly adding Pilates to their repertoire of classes and the Chinese are seeking high quality education and trainers who are globally accredited to accommodate this.”
The three-day intensive program will incorporate workshops on the guiding principles of Contrology (as developed by Joseph Pilates) and to allow students to understand the ‘red thread’ between Foundational and Advanced exercises as Heather explains it.
Others will focus on the reformer as a client assessment tool as well as other foundational equipment such as the Cadillac, the chair system and the barrels.
The approach is very hands on with numbers extremely limited and participants able to benefit directly from private sessions with Heather across the three days.
The second intensive workshop will be based in Bangkok from December 12 to 15 and incorporate the same foundational, educative and detail driven approach.
“We’ve deliberately limited the numbers so that our participants get to ask questions directly that may impact their teaching and practice moving forward and to reap the benefits of small, focused groups.
“We’ll then look at further workshops into 2025 to cater for growing demand both in China and Thailand but potentially other Asian destinations,” she said.
“My ultimate aim is to expand across the region to offer the prestigious level of training Asia so deserves and to reach a much broader, talented audience, growing the Classical system across the region.”
Upcoming FLEX Intensives Program in Asia
Guangzhou: 1 to 3 November 2024
Build Your Foundation – Elevate Your Knowledge of Classical Pilates
ZR Pilates Space
Room 1609, Central Plaza, Jianshe Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Wechat: zr15322359463
Bangkok: 12 to 15 December 2024
Build Your Foundation – Classical Pilates Intensives.
The Pilates Method – @House of Cheeva
5th Floor, Mahanakhon Center, Silom Soi 9, Bangrak District, Bangkok 10500
Whatsapp +6681 696 0993
Contact FLEX Studio Singapore – FLEX Concierge at +65 9111 6855
If you would like to know more about hosting FLEX Intensives at your studio.
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