Rosalie Sevell
With an active childhood in South Africa; a major portion of which was spent in trees, a love of movement and particularly expansive movement was instilled in me. My background of eight years in classical ballet (Cecchetti) and competitive artistic gymnastics, for which I received provincial colours, evolved into a natural continuation as a group exercise instructor at the height of the aerobics craze in the '80's and early '90"s.
At this point I had moved to Greece, where I taught aerobics for 7 years simultaneously studying for a BA majoring in communications, anthropology and criminology. Taking a short respite to raise my children, I found Pilates, or possibly it found me in 2007. At my very first session, the feeling of empowerment and well-being I felt was enough to convince me to learn more.
I was certified by Power Pilates NY, under the auspices of Bob Liekens. This classical, systematic and integrative certification took place in Athens, Greece. My teacher - Evgenia Papadopoulou, who is herself a second-generation teacher and was classically trained and certified by Romana Kryzanowska. Romana was one of the first generation teachers who studied directly with Joseph Pilates himself and carried the torch for the method.
I completed over 600 hours of the practical, oral and theory of the method and certified in December 2008. I operated my own small home studio for eight years, which gave me the wonderful opportunity to give the incredible benefits and sense of well-being that Pilates is capable of to others.
I love the fact that Pilates is non-competitive, that it is able to challenge and reward every body and everybody without the need for judgement and criticism. That within the structured classical format, there is enormous scope for an individualised programme, that clients leave a session feeling energised, healthier and radiant.
I truly feel honoured to be teaching at Breathe Pilates. I am so happy to have found my niche in the UK.
Let’s just move and have fun….
Qualifications
Power Pilates NY, Bob Liekens. (2008)
Master Mentor Programme with Amy Kellow, Everybody Pilates, Southsea. (2023)
Conferences
Classical Pilates Conference, Rome (2018)
Return to Life - The Pilates Conference Lancaster (2018)
Classical Pilates Conference, Athens (2024)
Power Pilates - Continuing Education Conference. Online (2024)
Bob Liekens Conference. Athens (2026)
Workshops/Courses
Since arriving in the UK in August 2016, I have been so lucky to be able to attend workshops and lessons with many outstanding teachers. Including Kathi Ross Nash, Brooke Siler, Mejo Wiggin, Brett Howard, Lolita San Miguel, Jean-Claude Nelson, Murat Berkin, Rebecca Convey, Moses Urbano, Dorothee Vanderwalle, Jerome Weinberg, Junghee Won, Holly Murray, Miguel Silva, Lori Colman Brown, Sonje Mayo, Gloria Gaspari and Bob Liekens.
Education never ends, there is always so much more to learn. A selection of the continuing education workshops I have attended include,
In person workshops
Sean Gallagher Workshop. Troon (2017)
Jean Claude Nelson. London (2018)
Kathi Ross Nash. London (2019)
Holly Murray. Hitchin (2019)
Miguel Silva Workshop. Troon (2024)
Saara Wacklin - The Autonomic Nervous System. Southsea (2025)
Mejo Wiggin workshop. Southsea (2025)
Brooke Siler Workshop. Southsea (2025)
Sonje Mayo Workshop. Southsea (2026)
Online Workshops
Tower System: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. (2020)
Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics (2012) (2022)
Injuries and applications(2018)
Reformer on the mat (2016)
Super Advanced Mat (2016)
Super advanced and Archival Reformer (2018)
Formatting a one hour Wunda chair session (2015)
Wunda chair progressions (2014)
Magic circle mat (2015)
Mat with arm weights (2015)
Barrel Progressions (2014)
Pilates for men (2018)
Pilates for seniors (2018)
The Extras and overlooked Small Apparatus (2016)
Baby Arm Chair (2024)
Super Advanced Reformer - Technique (2018)
Jumpboard - Technique & Workout (2018)
Real World Training Strategies (2020)
Special Cases Reformer (2022)
How to teach an Open Level Reformer Class (2022)
Pilates for athletes (2022)
From Periphery to Powerhouse (2022)
Anatomy for professionals (2024)
Intro to Tower System (2022)
Beginner Mat Progressions (2022)
Beginner Reformer Class Sequence (2024)
Introduction to Reformer class sequence (2026)
Kathi Ross Nash - Guillotine Workshop (2021)
Risa Mathews workshop - Scoliosis (2023)
Risa Mathews workshop - Post Surgical Conditions (2023)
Bethanie Buckingham - Special Cases: Neurological Conditions (2024)
Bethanie Buckingham - Review of High and Wunda Chair (2024)
Sonje Mayo. Hip Replacement (2025)
Shari Berkowitz - Osteoporosis and Osteopenia (2025)