Ana Carvalho – Pilates Instructor and Dancer

You’ve been here for 15 years now, right? Why did you come here?
To learn English. I planned to stay here for a minimum of one year.

Where did you work at the beginning?
I didn’t work, I was studying full time. I was just doing small jobs from time to time.

Why did you want to come here in first place?
After finishing secondary school I wanted to study by I couldn’t afford the university fees. My father suggested that he could get me a ticket to London where my cousin already lived.

What was your first impression? Were you partying a lot, enjoying busy London?
I really enjoyed it but I wasn’t partying that much, I never drink too much. I like meeting new people from different countries. I actually learned Spanish before I learned English because I had lots of Spanish speaking friends.

When coming here did you feel this ‘language barrier’? Could you speak any English when you came here? Did you have any problems with understanding?
It was difficult but I didn’t feel it this way. When you learn a new language I find it quite funny because you need to use so much body language to be understood. I had one situation when asked for some tees I instead got some cheese but we had lots of laughs after that.

Do you think it is easy to make friends in London when you come here?
Yes, sure.

How do you do it?
I think in general, people come here because they’re more open and alone. Once you’re here for longer, you already have your friends so you are not that open to meet new people. The best way? To listen to people. People like talking so if you’re a good listener you’re going to have many friends.

How did you get into this fitness business?
I was an amateur dancer in Brazil. I always liked physical activity. When I came to London I stopped for a year, and put on 10kg. Because I wasn’t active with my body, I didn’t feel good and I now I was little bit depressed. But the important thing at that moment was not to stop but keep looking for things that can lighten up your spirit. Then I started going to Brazilian places which I wasn’t doing at the beginning because I knew it would stop me from learning, experiencing the English language. I started to dance Brazilian dance, I was doing it professionally, and gradually I came back to fitness.

Do you have any qualification in this field?
I have a degree in Sports Therapy. It is for rehabilitation of sports injuries. I also studied pilates and exercises to music.

You’ve been in this business for a while now. Do you have any further plans for your career, anything to achieve or develop?
In fitness you need to keep learning. I want to do my second pilates course and a master degree. I just need to organize my finances because I want to do some traveling first before doing any more courses.

Is there anyone who inspires you?
I meet people everyday who inspire me. On every course I get inspired, by anything, any person who does the job with joy.

Are you planning to go back to Brazil one day?
Not now. I need to stay here for at least five years for my studying. I think I’d rather go to live in Barcelona. But I’m really not sure yet. For now I enjoy London very much.

What do you do in your free time?
I like to train. I do astanga yoga, and climbing which I recently picked up. I love going to see dance in Sadler’s Wells.

Do you have any favourite places in London?
I love Hampstead Heath and Kenwood House – they have great cream and jam scones. Tate Modern, canals in Camden, walking along the river. I also buy Time Out to find out about any events. My favourite place at the moment is Double Club – it’s an art project. It’s like a club but half of the place is in Western tradition, half in Congolese, with bar and restaurant.

What does ‘success’ or ‘successful person’ mean?
Someone who is happy whatever he/she does. Who has expertise in their own area so they can truly help other people.

Do you think you are successful?
Hmmm… I feel happy but I want more, there is lots of space for improvement.

Any tips for newcomers to London?
Drop your judgments. Don’t expect London to be something you imagined, experience it for what it is, then you will integrate better and discover the beauty of this place.