Nine years ago I was introduced to Pilates during the EFAA convention. The gym I was teaching at at the time, wanted to be a part of the new “body and mind training” hype. After just one Pilates workshop I was hooked and I immediately signed on for the Peak Pilates Mat course. But once I got started on that (concise) training, I soon found out that Pilates was my thing (I was called techniquefreak) and immediately started the PPS courses (PeakPilates System). I gave mat and personal trainings at my gym for 2 years, but something inside me told me that Pilates was not made for a gym.

I wanted my own place

I wanted my own place, a studio where we would teach only Pilates. On March 12^th 2006 my dream became a reality and Pilates Center Asten was opened. It was a big step for a working mom with 4 sons, that has to study a lot, but I’m so glad I took that leap. Thanks to a good business plan I was able to invest in wooden Peak Pilates equipment. Now, 7 years down the line, we have more than 200 members that take all different kinds of classes such as: Mat – Reformer – Wall Unit – Pilates 60+ – Prenatal Pilates and we recently added Biomechanica.

Quality is most important

Even now, during the crisis, we can’t complain. Our clients are loyal and once they’ve started they don’t just quit. Quality is what we value most, we work with small groups so we can give everyone the right amount of attention. We participate in workshops often so that we can keep learning. Take Marie – Jose Blom’s workshops for example….she’s has 35 years of Pilates experience and she’s still driven enough to teach other instructors the tricks, respect! Learning, that’s the right word to describe Pilates. You have to keep learning, wanting to learn, wanting to teach people something….. Because we frequently train with other instructors, you learn from each other to be able to help your clients even better in their search called Pilates. And it’s so amazing to hear your clients tell you that a light bulb went up. Because let’s face it….Pilates isn’t easy. The pieces of the puzzle have to fall together along the way. Every day is a new challenge to make our clients feel good, to make them feel like they learned something new.

Reformer groupclasses

A lot of people can’t afford Personal Training sessions. That’s why we mostly teach groupclasses (about 30 hours a week). But people can also come to us for a Personal Training (single or double). Groupclasses are fun, but I’m more of an advocate for Personal Training because you can really work with a person, focus on injuries, go deeper. Four years ago we started giving groupclasses Reformer speciaal (a groupclass with a maximum of 6 people, based on a PT for people who have injuries) Why? Because I think everyone should be able to practice Pilates. Even the people who have an injury but that can’t afford Personal Training.




I always do Personal Training

To this day, I´ve always had personal training sessions. I have to be checked and corrected, especially considering the instability and the injuries I´ve had in my pelvis. My Pilatesteacher has studied Restorative Excercise (Biomechanics) the last few years and has inspired me to do the same. Because I always want to keep learning I just started this very interesting study for natural movements. I´m stronger now because of the Biomechanics classes and I want to offer this to my clients. We now offer this class in our program, but only as an extra, next to the regular Pilatesclasses.

New extension

In August a new extension of our studio will open in Brandevoort. In other words, in a time of crisis, Pilates Center Asten is going to expand and start teaching groupclasses in another city. We´ve been working on this for 3 years and we finally found a spot that fits all our criteria. Especially in a time when things are rough, you have to look forward. My goal is not to get filthy rich from Pilates (it´s not like that going to happen anyway), but to introduce Pilates to as many people as I possibly can. To make them feel what Pilates can do for them. 
I have to say I´ve become a bit of a Pilatesfreak myself, because I can spend hours talking about it with such enthusiasm that people will even stay and listen.

Born in the year Joseph died

I was born in the same year that Joseph H Pilates died.…………haha, you think that says something? (just kidding). I would love to meet one of the Elders, but I don´t see that as a possibility considering my family. I think it would be amazing to hear them talk about Joseph and to be able to learn from their neverending source of Pilates information. The day will come….
Now, in 2013, I, Angelie Roelofs, 45 years old, married to Frank, mother to 4 sons, owner of Pilates Center Asten (and Brandevoort soon), believe that we´re only at the beginning of the Pilates evolution in the Netherlands. Together we can make Pilates huge so everyone in the Netherlands will know what Pilates is and what it can do for you.

Balance your Life the Pilates Way!!