Your Course Tutors

Dee Bodle

Dee commenced her journey in the field of movement as a dancer, initially enrolling at the renowned BRIT School. Subsequently, she transitioned to the professional dance institution, Brian Rogers Performers College. During her time there, she uncovered that she had scoliosis and, moreover, endured a car accident that resulted in significant back pain. The intensity of the pain and the intense training eventually led her to leave the dance college.

In contemplating her future career path, Dee obtained fitness qualifications and delved into teaching. It was during this teaching journey that she encountered Pilates. While instructing Pilates sessions, Dee observed a significant alleviation of her back pain, prompting her to choose this as her chosen career.

Initially trained in the Contemporary teaching style, Dee shifted to the Classical style in 2009, undergoing training with Mikel and Ton from the Romana strand. This transition provided her with many insights into Pilates teaching, witnessing transformative changes in her clients.

In 2015 and 2016, Dee attended conventions in Europe, where she refined her teaching style, learning from some of the best teachers in the industry, towards a more Authentic approach. It was during this period that she connected with Rafael, and together they formulated their own teacher training program, opening The Bodeswell Academy, aiming to share their extensive knowledge developed over the years.

Rafael Gomes

Rafael possesses a comprehensive background in health and fitness dating back to his youth, demonstrating a consistent interest in maintaining physical well-being. He extended his skills to lifeguarding on Porto Beach and in Wales, where he not only safeguarded lives but also trained fellow staff members to stay fit in aquatic environments.

Adding to his diverse experiences, Rafael enjoyed a substantial soccer career, playing at a semi-professional level and coaching a second-division team in Wales. His passion for fitness and sports laid a strong foundation for his journey into the world of Pilates.

Rafael underwent training with Fabien Menegon and Miguel Silva through UNO Pilates in Portugal and Spain, focusing on the Authentic Pilates Teaching style. His dedication to learning led him to some of the industry's best teachers, contributing to his extensive knowledge.

Before relocating to the UK, Rafael worked in various fitness centers and collaborated with a Physiotherapy Clinic, dealing with clients recovering from severe injuries such as those from car accidents, strokes, and back injuries. His expertise in rehabilitation proved to be both vast and invaluable.

In 2017, Rafael and Dee joined forces to establish The Bodeswell Academy. Since then, they have been dedicated to training aspiring Pilates teachers in the Authentic Pilates Teaching style.