Ashlea McKee began dancing at two and went on to perform internationally before a spinal stress fracture interrupted her career. Pilates became part of her rehabilitation. As she recovered, the experience gave her a new direction: she wanted to help others through the method that had helped her. After her first session, she knew she wanted to teach it. That decision took her through 600 hours of comprehensive classical training with Authentic Pilates Education International, followed by further advanced training in London. Her background in dance remains present in the way she teaches, bringing precision and fluidity to a practice delivered with calm, close attention. Now based in London, she is the founder of Pilates with Ashlea and Élan Wellbeing.

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Her teaching has since taken her into international retreats, specialist events and a growing online practice. In 2025, she taught some of the first classes on Technogym Reform at FIBO in Cologne. She also writes about Pilates for Marie Claire UK as part of its Masters series, bringing her knowledge of the method to readers beyond the studio. Through Élan, Ashlea brings together a team of Classical Pilates instructors who also form part of our Wellness Experts network. Their work extends across selected Casa Mente Retreats, with teaching shaped around the people taking part. A shared grounding in the classical method gives this collaboration continuity, while each instructor brings their own experience and attention to the room.

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Within Casa Mente retreats in France, Ashlea has guided a practice that develops across several days. Returning to the same teacher gives each session a connection to the one before. There is time to revisit an exercise, build on an explanation and work at a pace that responds to the individual. The group shares a practice, while each person brings a different starting point. This continuity gives Pilates its place within the stay. Through Ashlea’s teaching, guests have time to become more familiar with the work and with how they approach it. Her Pilates with Ashlea app offers a way to continue at home, returning to a familiar teacher when the days take on their usual shape again.