Renee aims for pilates world-first

Renee aims for world-first

MARYANNE TWENTYMAN

A Thames woman is set to become the world's first visually impaired pilates instructor.

But first Renee Clark, 27, must fly to Toronto to complete her training in Stott Pilates which will make her a fully qualified tutor.

"I have always had the attitude that if you want to do something, then just go and do it," she said.

Already a qualified personal trainer and holistic lifestyle coach, Miss Clark and her guide dog Fern are well-known around the streets of Thames as they walk to and from work each day.

"I have between 15 and 20 clients ranging in age from 19 to 76," she said.

With only slight peripheral vision Miss Clark relies on touch to ensure her clients are using correct technique during classes. Her cues are verbal and clients believe her disability makes her "an excellent tutor in tune with the human body".

Dianne Carter is in a good position to compare. Miss Clark is one of three tutors Ms Carter has had over the years.

"It might sound strange but I believe she see's things very clearly through touch assessment," she said.

"We are all very proud of her, she has shown incredible commitment and because of that we are all equally keen to do our best for her in return."

Born in Whakatane Miss Clark was born visually impaired, the result of both her parents carrying a recessive gene.

"We were told it's incredibly rare for both parents to carry the gene," she said.

Miss Clark's older sister Michelle, 37, is fully sighted while another sister Nadia, 29, was born visually impaired. "But she can see a lot better than me," Miss Clark said.

She was 20 when she decided to give pilates a go. "I had bad posture from hunching over trying to read and I thought I would give it a go."

But when the local Thames instructor left, Miss Clark found herself missing the regular classes that lengthened and toned the muscles in her body.

"So I decided to try taking the classes myself. The rest is history, really."

A Pukekohe-based Stott pilates instructor has helped Miss Clark with her training. At courses she was able to learn techniques by being a model.

"It became very doable. I was able to learn where to sit and how to feel the movement in a client."

Now she faces a trip to the world headquarters of Stott pilates in Toronto where she will sit her final training exam.

With no braille training books Miss Clark must decipher every word in the 11 pilates' manuals and translate back to braille as part of her study.

She is also finding time to fundraise for the two-week trip which will cost around $4000.

"I can't take Fern, it would be too daunting for her, so I am taking my New Zealand-based pilates instructor with me," she said.

Safely through her final exam Miss Clark says her ultimate goal would be "training the trainers".

Anyone wishing to help Renee Clark can donate funds towards her trip to Toronto through ANZ Bank 01 0455 0108085 51.

- © Fairfax NZ News