Simply, Pilates is a total body conditioning system, which offers the whole spectrum of people, from chronic back pain sufferers through to trained athletes, a method of exercise which challenges you both physically and mentally.

Developed by the late Joseph Pilates in the 1920's, it is a fusion of several different exercise types including yoga, martial arts, dance, gymnastics and boxing.

Pilates works differently from other fitness techniques by focussing on the deep postural muscles of the body, giving an inside out approach to the way exercise is conducted. It's aim - to rebalance the body and restore it to the correct alignment, reshaping your body to give a toned look.

The Pilates machines are designed to provide a greater challenge for your postural muscles, identify and correct muscle imbalances in the body, and provide exercises to increase your range of movement.

Because of the gentle and precise way in which exercises are performed, Pilates is now endorsed by many medical specialsts including physiotherapists, back specialists, osteopaths, GP's and surgeons.

The Pilates we teach is ideal for those with postural difficulties, but is equally suited to athletes looking to balance out the body to make it stronger internally, without causing injury.