Ashley Brain, PhD
Stott Pilates Certified Instructor

 I began dancing at a young age and trained intensively in ballet and contemporary techniques throughout my childhood. I became more interested in dancer wellbeing and safe dance practice during my BA degree at the University of Calgary where I studied dance with a major in ballet in conjunction with the School of Alberta Ballet. During this time I gained my Stott Pilates teaching qualification in mat work and discovered dance science and the existing opportunities to study further in this field. This brought me to the UK where I completed my MSc in Dance Science at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and worked as a graduate intern thereafter for 2 years.

 

After my time at Trinity Laban I began teaching on the BA programme at University of Roehampton where I became Senior Lecturer in Dance and Dance Science. My teaching focused on ballet and topics under the dance science umbrella including anatomy, biomechanics, conditioning, psychology and somatic education. Across the past 20 years I have continued my professional development with Stott Pilates and in 2023 I gained further teaching qualifications in mat and reformer work. 

 

My academic research has focused primarily on 'Dance for Health' programmes. In 2016 I completed my PhD which looked at the potential benefits of a ballet-based dance class for people with Parkinson's. This research was done in conjunction with English National Ballet and their Dance for Parkinson’s programme. I have presented at a variety of international conferences including annual conferences held by the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and continue to publish research in the field.