Our Ethos
Zed Pilates Studio offers a welcoming place for everyone from beginners to experienced practitioners. We teach the Classical Pilates method, the original traditional series of exercises as developed by Joseph Pilates, and passed on to his chosen successor and master trainer, Romana Kryzanowska.
We encourage everyone to workout with intention.
"I must be right. Never an aspirin.
Never injured a day in my life.The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier."
- Joseph Pilates at age 86 (1965)
Our Instructors
Zsofia Nagy Nemes
Zsofia's pilates journey started at the Hungarian National Ballet in Budapest, where she was a professional ballet dancer for over 10 years. During this time she began to practice pilates and soon realised its value in both injury prevention and strength training. In 2009, she began the STOTT Pilates® certification program in order to deepen her knowledge and understanding of the method.
In 2014, Zsofia discovered the Classical Pilates method and how Romana's Pilates teaches the exercises as well as the philosophies of Joseph Pilates' unique approach to health and fitness. This prompted her to dedicate two years of training to learn the method, which has proven itself for more than 80 years as effective and safe.
Zsofia completed the Romana’s Pilates Instructor Training Program and was personally tested and certified by Sari Meija the daughter of Romana, in the True Pilates. In London, Zsofia was trained by Rebecca Convey, Marjorie Oron (Master Teacher X) and Jane Poerwoatmodjo from The Hague (Holland).
Having completed both, the Classical and Stott Pilates certification programs Zsofia is able to comfortably work with all ages, most types of injuries and fitness levels. She has a very keen eye and an unerring attention to detail, which makes her a truly inspiring teacher of the method.
She is a fundamental believer that, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness,” Joseph Pilates.
Zsolt Garzo
Zsolt was trained in The Hague with Marjorie Oron, Romana's Pilates Level X Teacher trainer and personally certified in New York by the late Romana Kryzanowska, the chosen successor of Joseph Pilates to teach the Method. Over the past 15 years Zsolt has worked in The Netherlands, Paris and London.
Zsolt’s passion for the True Pilates Method originates following a successful recovery from a knee injury using the method. This prompted him to dedicate 18 month of intensive training, observing and teaching at The Pilates Studio in The Hague and at True Pilates New York.
Having previously had a career as a professional ballet dancer, Zsolt understands better than most the importance of physical well being. In the modern world where lifestyles and sedentary occupations can place increased stresses on the body prevention and injury management are increasingly important.
Zsolt is also a registered member of the General Osteopathic Council and the Institute of Osteopathy, and is certified in cranial osteopathy by the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy.
Learn more about his osteopathy practice here.
Ayako Kerr
Originally from Japan, Ayako had a series of exciting careers prior to her entry to Pilates. She worked as an interpreter for clients including BBC News, West End musical productions, American football teams (Denver Broncos and SF 49ers), foreign ministers, a NASA astronaut, and more. Later, she worked for the United Nations Headquarters, and for investment banks in New York and Tokyo as an IT professional.
She became a Pilates devotee 10 years ago when she relocated to Hong Kong in 2012. Her recognition of the benefits of Pilates and passion for the discipline led her to intensive training, completing her full studio certification through Polestar in 2017. She taught Pilates at Pure Fitness, Hong Kong's premium wellness gym. In 2020 on her relocation to the U.K., she further pursued her interest in classical Pilates, Romana’s Pilates and was trained by Rebecca Convey (Level III) at Kinetic Pilates, and received further training with Jane Poerwoatmodjo (Level III) and Marjorie Oron (Master Instructor Trainer Level X).
Ayako enjoys teaching clients of all ages, body types, needs and goals. She claims that everyone will feel the amazing benefits of Pilates. She strongly believes in the famous quote by Joseph Pilates: “In 10 sessions. you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions, you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions, you’ll have a whole new body.”
Elizabeth Downey
Elizabeth comes from a professional dance background having trained at the Ballet Rambert School in London. Her first experience of pilates came whilst she was still dancing and she immediately felt the benefits of the work resulting in better control and improved strength.
Her original teacher training was in a more contemporary style but once she discovered Romana’s Pilates she realised what she had been missing: the brilliance of “the system” that had been passed down from Joseph Pilates to his protege Romana Kryzanowska.
Elizabeth was trained by Rebecca Convey (Level III) at Kinetic Pilates in London, took seminars and exams with Jane Poerwoatmodjo (Level III), and Marjorie Oron (Level X) from The Pilates Studio in The Hague. She is continually inspired by the incredible teachers within the Romana’s Pilates community and continues to take regular lessons and attend workshops to refine her knowledge and teaching abilities.
She is passionate about sharing the work with her clients and loves how the system can cater for all needs - from working with top level athletes and dancers right the way through to a more general population looking to remedy or prevent injuries.
