Meet Our Instructor: Susanne Frey

If you’re frequently in our Novena studios, you would have seen her graceful figure on the Gyrotonic machine, or might have heard her infectious laughter. This month, we catch up with none other than Susanne Frey!

Hi Susanne, it’s great to get to know you a bit better. First thing’s first, what made you start Pilates, and how long have you been practicing Pilates?

When I taught Tango Argentino, one day the owner of the dance studio introduced me to Pilates as a method that has helped her to recover from an serious injury. When she said “You might find it a bit boring”, she had caught me by my curiosity. That’s how my Pilates journey started back in 1998.

What do you like about Pilates?

Pilates is a system that connects body and mind starting from the deep abdominal muscles all the way to your extremities in combination with focus on body awareness, coordination and proper breathing pattern.

You also teach Gyrotonics! Describe Gyrotonics in 3 words.

It’s a three dimensional spiralling movement pattern
Creates ease and flow in your body through deep core connection
Touches your emotions and your subconscious mind

You started teaching Pilates in Germany, is there any difference in teaching in Singapore and in Germany?
In Singapore equipment based Pilates studio are very common while in Germany mat based pilates is more popular.

How long have you been in Singapore, and what do you like about Singapore?
I have been in Singapore more than 5 years now and I love the multicultural flair and especially the huge variety of food.

Was there any major cultural shock for you while adjusting to living here?

Singapore is a very open city and it is easy to adapt here. It was actually more challenging when we moved within our own country to the former East German part.

What is your favourite local dish? Have you tried durians?

We moved to Balestier area because of the huge variety of local food there and one of my favourite’s is minced meat/fishball noodle – dry one-lah. Every Sunday we are having breakfast at Whampoa Hawker and do our grocery shopping there at the wet market.
Durian I have tried and I really can’t take it – people say it’s sweet but I cannot taste any sweetness.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I like to swim, meet up with friends for dinner or drinks and to use every chance to explore South East Asia’s architecture and culture.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

It is very easy to get me excited for almost any new idea. My husband sometimes has to ground me before it’s getting too fantastic. I’m afraid ‘to hang dead over a fence one day’ as we say in German when one leads a boring life. I do not want to look back with a feeling of having missed out. That’s why I’m open for almost everything.

Why did you pick Front Splits for Exercise Focus?

I love to combine things, it makes it more efficient and you are getting quicker results. In Front split you need to have core stability, proper biomechanics, it improves your flexibility while challenging your body awareness. Using props and modifications it’s approachable to all fitness levels and ages.

Share with us a quote that inspires you.
“There is always room to improve!”

Catch Susanne in our Novena branch today! To book a class, just call us at 6850 5082 or email us at info@breathepilates.com.sg today!