Charlotte Clews
Charlotte Clews is a nature-nerd, ultra trail runner, thru-hiker, Maine Guide, mother and wunder-twin who teaches Pilates, strength training and physical rehabilitation in Downeast, Maine. I have a B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Cornell University and a M.S. in botany from the University of Vermont. In 2020 I started guiding wilderness trips for Maine tweens and teens with my new business Wild Maine Adventures.
Training and Experience
- 200-hour and 500-hour yoga teacher trainings in addition to thousands of hours of study with master teachers such as K. Pattabhi Jois, Richard Freeman, David Swenson, Angela Farmer, Deb Neubauer and John Friend (1996-2014).
- Beginner and intermediate Pilates mat teacher trainings with Power Pilates (2014, 2016).
- 600-hour Pilates Comprehensive Training with Kim Casto at Power Pilates (2018).
- TRX group class trained
- Studied Ayurveda at Naropa University in 2000, advanced study with Cate Stillman and Claudia Welch from 2009-2013.
- Run 30+ marathon distance races, 20+ “ultra distance” trail races (30-60 miles), two full-length Ironman races and four 100 mile trail races.
- Set the Female Fastest-Known-Time running Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness (2018)
- Section-hiked the Appalachian Trail (1994) and thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (1999), Continental Divide Trail (2002), John Muir Trail (2019) and Long Trail (2020).
- Completed two semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology at University of New England (2014).
- Worked with hundreds of students since 1998, teaching yoga, functional movement, strength training and injury rehabilitation.
[Pre COVID-19] I taught weekly yoga and Pilates classes to a wonderful community of good humored, hard working students in Bl
ue Hill, Maine. My classes are instructive and upbeat. I strive to integrate the most modern understandings of therapeutic alignment, breath and movement to help my students feel more at home in their bodies.
I also teach Pilates mat classes using the traditional sequence of beginner and intermediate exercises. My Creative Core classes are a fun integration of Pilates mat exercises, hip strengthening and TRX.
I work one-on-one with students either on a Pilates Reformer and/or using a variety of therapeutic exercises to help build strength and coordination, to recover from injury or to prepare for more advanced athletic endeavors. I give priority to students who can attend at least 6 sessions but I have room for a few drop-ins each month. Contact me to schedule your one-hour session.
Bio
photo by Sean Alonzo Harris, (Click photo to read the interview of Charlotte in Maine Magazine, April 2012)
I grew up in Blue Hill, Maine where I attended a Waldorf-inspired School, cultivating my love of art, nature and philosophy. After graduating from Cornell University in 1998 with a degree in ecology, I banded flocks of black-capped chickadees for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, prepared many bird study skins including one very memorable Canada goose, attached transmitters to unfortunate cow birds, drew blood from American kestrel chicks, hacked a rantallion of peregrine falcons on the Continental Divide for the Peregrine Fund, and joined warblers over-wintering in Domincan Republic cocoa plantations. Later I combined my biology and rock-climbing skills working for the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica (1998 – 2002) and National Outdoor Leadership School (1996 – 2002) in Alaska and the Yukon. In 1999 I hiked the 2,600mi Pacific Crest Trail alone, and in 2002 I hiked 2,000 miles of the Continental Divide Trail with my future husband. I attended the Field Naturalist Program at University of Vermont and earned an M.S. in botany in 2002. I taught wildlife biology and winter ecology for the Community College of Vermont and Sterling College (2002-2006). I have since worked as an interpretive Park Ranger for Acadia National Park (2003 – 2009) and was the Director of Stewardship at Blue Hill Heritage Trust (2009 – 2011).
I started teaching yoga in 1998, and became Maine’s first certified Anusara Yoga Teacher in 2010. I resigned my license with Anusara in April 2012 due to irreconcilable differences with John Friend. I have had many other influential teachers along the way, including most notably Angela Farmer.
I live with my husband and two daughters in Blue Hill, Maine, just a short bike ride away from Acadia National Park.
In 2020 I became a certified Maine Guide and started Wild Maine Adventures. I currently split my time between guiding wilderness trips and working 1-1 with Pilates clients at my home studio.
I found your website and you sound amazing.
I was wondering if you could possible help. I am interested in viniyoga, but I am hard time locating someone.
I have alot of bilateral foot, chronic plantar fascittis, metatarsalgia, bunions and the worst part, have alot of hypermobility in the joints of my feet, my feet and ankle are weak. I have tight muscles in calves and feet and have alot of trigger points in this area.
I also have a major issue with left hip, alot of tightness in the piraformis musles, glutes, psoas causing low back pain. I was told to get a voga therapist, but I am having a hard time find the right person. I went to someone in Cambridge, Ma, I was very disappointed. The only thing I got out of the session was a two minute breathing exercise. I was hoping more of the session.
Do you know anyone in the Boston area willing to help with professionalism and knowledge.
This whole tighntess and pain have caused alot of anxiety. I really need help.
Please let me know.
Sincerely,
Roberta