Our teachers

Clare Axon-Saunders

Clare Axon-Saunders

Principal Pilates Teacher

Clare is the proprietor and lead instructor at In the Log Cabin. Clare began taking Pilates classes in 2009 in the hope that it would improve her horse riding (it did!). She quickly started to see and feel the benefits of regular Pilates exercise both on and off her horse, and attended classes as often as she could.  After completing a year long apprenticeship in contemporary Stott based Pilates, Clare is now an experienced and intuitive teacher who is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals. After continuing her training Clare found Classical Pilates and felt that all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly came together and the whole Pilates System made sense! Now Clare mostly teaches Classical Pilates, staying close to the original teachings of Pilates whilst staying up to date with best practises. Her special interest is Pilates for horse riders due to the huge benefits she has seen.

Clare is fully qualified to teach all mat work and Pilates equipment including the Reformer, Cadillac, Chairs and Ladder Barrel to name a few.  She continues to develop her training and skills, keeping updated with the latest Pilates concepts and continuing to train with other experienced instructors across the world, including Clare Dunphy Hemani and Breathe Education.

Everyone agrees that Clare has an eagle eye for detail! Her classes are challenging and progressive and she will always do her very best to help you. You will learn at a pace suitable for you and be supported throughout your Pilates journey. Clare’s classes are often filled with laughter as she believes working hard should also be fun! Her kind manner and style of teaching ensures her classes are always very popular. 

Clare’s Pilates classes are recommended by Physiotherapists and Osteopaths and clients are often referred to her to help with back pain and core strength.  Clare is always happy to speak with a clients medical practitioner, osteopath, etc to discuss any specific exercises or problems that need to be worked on in a particular way.

Clare sees her horses twice a day and rides regularly, training them in dressage to an advanced level. She is also a keen yogi, practising Ashtanga yoga and additionally practises pole dancing. Clare has an Italian greyhound who keeps her busy and a husband who she sometimes gets to see!

Clair Sawtell

Clair Sawtell

Pilates Teacher

Clair first found Pilates a following a back injury and attended regular classes as a client for many years. As a former gymnast, Clair loved how Pilates felt in her body and after having children decided to pursue her passion and embarked on a career change from TV producer to Pilates teacher.
Clair’s initial training was with Stott Pilates in 2014 and then in 2018  she embarked on further training at Pi studios in Battersea and completed full comprehensive classical training across all the Pilates apparatus.
Clair is also pre & postnatal trained with Carolyne Anthony at The Center for Women’s Fitness.
Clair’s love for Pilates is obvious in her classes which are fun and challenging. You will be sure to feel the full benefits from Pilates with her classes!
Rufina Hardy

Rufina Hardy

Pilates Teacher

Rufina has been passionate about Pilates for a long time and her energy in the studio is infectious! It wasn’t until she came to the UK in 2015 that she decided to take a Matwork course at Pi Studio in Battersea.

After she had her first daughter she took the full comprehensive classical Pilates training course, and following a year’s apprenticeship, completed the course in December 2019.

Rufina is also trained to teach pre/postnatal classes having qualified with Carolyne Anthony at the Center for Women’s health.
In 2021, Rufina had her second daughter, and it was then she noticed how different her body was and how her pregnancy was compared to her first. Though she had a very straightforward pregnancy with her first daughter, she was stronger and leaner with the second one. And much to her surprise, her body recovered much quicker and bounced back within a few months.
Thanks to Classical Pilates, now in her 40s, she feels happier, fitter and healthier, more coordinated and focused both physically and mentally, than when she was younger.
Frida Teplakova

Frida Teplakova

Pilates Teacher

Frida comes from a dance background and trained as a classical dancer in Latvia’s state ballet school.  After her training she proceeded to work as a ballerina, traveling in Europe and South America. However, after suffering many injuries, Frida had to stop her dancing career. The back pain, even many years after she stopped dancing, brought Frida to Pilates. In fact the Pilates was suggested by the GP as the only thing she could think about to help Frida with her back issues. 
This advice has changed Fridas life. Having experienced all the benefits of Pilates for herself Frida was inspired to train as a Pilates teacher. 
Frida has been trained in classical Pilates with the world-renowned Romana’s Pilates.
Her previous training in ballet allows Frida to work with professional athletes and dancers applying different approaches to movement. However Frida enjoys working with people from all walks of life and seeing each and every client achieving their goals whether you are fit and healthy or injured and in need of recovery, or just want to have a good challenging and invigorating  workout. Regardless of the reason why a client comes to Pilates, Frida is determined to help them feel empowered by their ability to control and strengthen their bodies and move freely. It is amazing to see what a change one hour of Pilates can bring into the body!
Amanda Ling

Amanda Ling

Pilates & Barre Teacher

Amanda is a very experienced teacher who has trained with The Pilates Institute, Stott, Future Fit , Drummond, The Pilates Place and MK Pilates.

She teaches Pilates Mat and studio equipment classes , Barre, Yoga and Hot Yoga.

Her background is in theatre and dance and she continues to teach dance and drama for Stagecoach as well as directing and choreographing musical theatre.

Amanda teaches pilates and yoga at HABS girls school and works for local gyms and studios.

Her classes are fun and energising!

About

St Albans based Pilates studio with the full range of Pilates equipment including reformers, towers and chairs

Visit Us

16 Butterfield Lane

St Albans

AL1 2HJ

Contact us

07729 919586 or (01727) 420747

pilatesinthelogcabin@gmail.com

clare@inthelogcabin.co.uk

Open Hours

M-F: 8am - 8.30pm

Sat: 8am - 2pm

Sun: CLOSED

In the log cabin

"In the Log Cabin" is the trading name of The Progressive Pilates Studio Limited. Registered in England Company Number 15563891.