tansy blaik-kelly

founder of Turning Tide Pilates, and a multi-disciplinary movement educator

Her childhood background in dance first introduced her to Pilates in 1987, then aged 12, at ballet school in London’s Covent Garden, where Alan Herdman (Founder of the UK’s first Pilates Studio) was her teacher. Having grown too tall for a career in ballet, Tansy turned to her other love, and enjoyed two decades studying, then working, in theatrical costume and haute couture in London’s West End; her beaded and embroidered gowns adorned celebrities and royalty on many a red carpet!

Throughout that time, Tansy continued learning Pilates, and in 2006, trained to teach Pilates Matwork with the late Anoushka Boone, through the Pilates Foundation. Having ignited a passion for teaching, Tansy decided to leave the world of theatre in 2011, and teach full-time. In 2012, she trained and qualified as a Comprehensive Pilates Practitioner with Polestar Pilates.

A lifelong learner with a curious mind, a passion for movement science, and a holistic approach to movement, Tansy has supplemented her Pilates groundwork with consistent further education, and additionally holds qualifications to teach a diverse range of movement disciplines.

additional professional qualifications

Tansy also taught, for many years, alongside Ana Barretxeguren at her studio, Brighton Pilates, and was an Educator with Evolve Movement Education on their courses, including the Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training.

Since 2017, Tansy has collaborated with Wellbeing In The Wild, cohosting their popular Pilates Day Retreats and Wellbeing Events at The Secret Vineyard in Herstmonceux, East Sussex.

Tansy was named ‘Best Yoga/Pilates Instructor in Sussex’, at the 2019 Muddy Stiletto Awards.

“I teach sustainable, anatomy-informed movement that supports both your body and nervous system. I’m here to support your movement journey toward nourishment, strength, and connection. Rather than micromanaging you to create aesthetic shapes and ‘perfect’ alignment, I’ll encourage you to deepen the connections to your own body, finding autonomy, and create your own body-map. When you feel safe in your body and experience full connection, healthier movement becomes a consistent way of life.”

working 1:1/2:1 with tansy

Using the framework of Pilates, Tansy will curate bespoke, personal sessions for you, constantly adapting to your body’s current goals or needs, whether that’s training for a marathon, or developing the balance and mobility needed to to put your socks on with ease. She creates a supportive and nurturing environment, where you can step away from the chaos of life, and safely rebalance both your body and mind.

Tansy’s interests lie in whole-body health. She specialises in working with conditions such as Osteoporosis, MS, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, and Hyper-Mobility, alongside rehabilitation after injury, surgery or stroke, but is equally at home tailoring a programme to enhance your sporting performance, or athletic training.

“Tansy teaches with kindness and patience. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she has a unique ability to educate clients about their own anatomy, physiology, and movement, in an easy to understand, and accessible way. She grounds her teaching in the tradition of the Pilates method, alongside the latest research about movement, fascia and biomechanics.”

the team

sarah kearney

Before gaining her Pilates Foundation Matwork Teaching Qualification with Jessica Moolenaar of Mindful Pilates, Sarah trained as a dancer, where she became aware of the benefits of Pilates, and how it could support her dance training and day-to-day well being. Sarah is our Licensed Buff Bones® instructor, running a weekly class. Her 10+ years experience as a contemporary dance teacher also influences her approach to exploring movement and connections through the body, and she has combined her passion for Pilates and dance.

Since qualifying, Sarah has continued to develop her understanding of how the body moves, through attending specialist professional development training, such as workshops focusing on Pilates in relation to osteoporosis, scoliosis, and hypermobility.

medeana findlay

Medeana comes from a background of science research and primary school teaching. Her initial Matwork certification was with Polestar Pilates UK. She also holds level 3 certifications in Exercise Referral and Nutrition for Physical Activity, and a level 4 Certificate in Physical Activities and Lifestyle Strategies for Managing Low Back Pain. She has completed the Level 1 & 2 PD Warrior Neuroplasticity In Parkinson’s training courses.

Her key passion is to promote client physical and mental wellbeing, by supporting them in keeping active, balanced and dynamic as they progress through all stages of life. Her teaching style is empathetic, exploratory and informative. She is an avid lifelong learner. Courses studied and workshops attended include: TheraPilates for Osteoporosis; Pre and Rehabilitation After Joint Replacements - Hip, Knee, Shoulder and Spinal Surgery; BeST Programme CBT Skills to Treat Back Pain; Moving Fascia; Franklin Method; and Pilates for Riders.