I have been doing Pilates for two years now and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Pilates has given me three important gifts.

First Gift - My rotator cuff injury first prompted me to try Pilates.  Twelve months of having physio, acupuncture, cortisone injections and a strengthening weight programme at the gym made no difference to the pain and lack of sleep I lived with. I called Sonia and talked to her about my injury as I was not sure I could do Pilates. Sonia was confident she could help me. I started with the Essential 1 mat class and progressed to Intermediate and Advanced.  I also do a reformer class every week. With guidance from Sonia over the following 12 months my rotator cuff injury healed completely.  I am now another 12 months on from that and have not had further issues with my rotator cuff.

Second Gift - Obliques, you see I'm in my 40's and my waist was thickening, I hated it!!  At Pilates we do amazing oblique exercises with a combination of breathing, result, I have obliques again.

Third Gift - The knowledge that I never appreciated the health tool of breathing before Pilates. You feel silly at first inhaling and exhaling but then you get into the well being feeling and your away. I use the breathing principles I have learnt in all my other day to do day activities, e.g. if I am lifting heavy things I go through my breathing preparation, switch on my abdominals before I lift.  That way I am protecting my back and not taking the weight in my neck.

Sonia and her Pilates Instructor team are well trained in Pilates and are constantly exploring the world of Pilates to pass on to us new exercises. Don't take my word for it,  get the enlightened experience for yourself like so many of us already have.

Gayle Prenter, Hamilton