About
MO Morgan
Mo trained professionally at Bush Davies Vocational Arts School in dance and theatre then graduated in Dance/Art from Goldsmith’s College, London University. Alongside her professional dance and theatre work Mo developed a career in health, fitness and wellbeing through teaching, educating and lecturing. She worked during the late 80s, 90s and ‘00s in many exclusive West London health clubs and within the community, specialising in elders (over 50’s to 95!) and ethnic minority groups.
After making connections in Edinburgh from 2009, Mo returned to professional contemporary dance classes and experienced working with Lucy Boyes (mentored by Frank McConnell of Plan B), Gelabert Azzopardi and Bill Evans amongst participation with many other professional dance/theatre practitioners through projects, workshops and classes.
When her Mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she was inspired to set up, coordinate and teach with other professional dancers/teachers alongside live musicians, “Dance for People with Parkinson’s” classes, wholly supported by the Edinburgh Parkinson’s Branch of Parkinson'sUK and based on the approach of the Mark Morris “Dance for Parkinson’s” programme. These classes continue to run successfully, now supported by Scottish Ballet and Dancebase, Edinburgh.
The physical demands of professional dance and its results on a mature body prompted Mo to take her physiotherapist’s advice to attend Pilates classes. Finding the classes of great benefit and impressed by the quality and professionalism of different Pilates Foundation teachers she experienced, Mo undertook her own Pilates Foundation matwork training with (their trainer) Brigid McCarthy, (one of the founding members of the Pilates Foundation and more recently founder of the Independent Pilates Teachers Association). Mo successfully qualified in 2012.
Combining her dance, health and fitness background with her additional knowledge of Pilates, Mo developed a portfolio of private classes, personal clients and often covered for many long-established Pilates instructors.
Mo also developed Pilates classes for People with Parkinson’s, which remains a special interest. Hypermobility, remedial work and recovery post injury/operation are other aspects of particular focus which have been key areas of her on-going professional development and interest.
On returning South full time in 2014, Mo continued to develop her own personal Pilates practice in studio and matwork with Jessica Moolenaar and subsequently was invited to teach with Jessica in southeast London. She was also recently invited and has successfully taken over classes in south east London established by Bingxi Wang (former Pilates Foundation board member). Her work has also recently expanded through inheriting Jessica Moolenaar’s matwork classes too and Mo is thoroughly enjoying her current wide range of classes and private clients. Bridging training in Pilates studio equipment is her next goal as time and work permits.