Before I started attending Pilates classes I had suffered a stress fracture to my right thigh which had healed out of alignment, so I had to have my leg broken and reset. I had to get around on crutches for a while and I worked with a physiotherapist and chiropractor.

When I was ready I started attending Pilates classes. Clare was aware of my situation and observed the way I was moving. As a result of my injury my pelvic area is tilted which has a knock on effect to my back. Clare was able to tailor the Pilates moves to my own personal situation which has helped with mobility in my pelvic area as well as strengthening my back and keeping me relatively injury free.

I’ve attended Pilates classes for quite a few years now and feel that this, above all other exercise, helps to keep my joints and muscles strong and mobile. After thinking since my injury that I may never run again, I have completed 3 Race for Life events (including a muddy one) and 2 10K runs. I’m happy to say that my confidence has built and my goal for 2016 is to run the Great North Run half marathon in September. I will continue to work with Clare in Pilates classes as I know that this is an important part of my training and will complement the high impact and intensity training that I will have to do.

Pilates has helped me recover from my injury, get back on track with running and training and its improved my awareness of my own body therefore improving my posture. It’s also a very relaxing form of exercise and helps me to unwind after a stressful day. I’d recommend it to anyone.

My balance has improved considerably since attending Pilates

I have always tried to keep fit and healthy and have done numerous sports over the years. As I’ve got older I have found that the variety of sports which I can participate in has restricted and I tend to opt for the gentle sports such as swimming and cycling.

So when my wife and daughter joined Pilate’s I decided to give it a go. I wasn’t sure if it would be for me but I was pleasantly surprised. Clare is a great instructor and explains each exercise and the benefits. The exercises range from easy to hard depending on ability something to suit everybody. I was surprised how bad my balance was but it’s improved considerably since I’ve been going. I want to keep my body as active as possible and I feel Pilate’s will help me to do that.

Several people have noticed that my posture has improved, even my Ballroom Dancing Teacher

I started working with Clare through being a good husband by introducing his shy wife to Pilates classes in order to help her address the arthritis in her shoulder and balance issues due to a snapped ankle tendon. I personally had intermittent acute lower back issues and general low level back-ache due to my assumed ‘general wear and tear and an aging body’

I had reservations concerning the masculinity issues surrounding Pilates, since Internet research predominantly showed classes full of women. I hate procrastination and obstacles so I bravely dived straight into Pilates regardless of pre-conceptions and after meeting Clare (and my classmates), committed to regular classes with my wife.

I have done quite a lot of teaching over the years and Clare is proving to be a great tutor by being not only observant to individual needs but attentive, knowledgeable, and above all creating motivation through her attitude to all her pupils. She does not shy away from the ’hands-on’ approach, but uses her professional manner to make all pupils (male and female) at ease with this aspect of her teaching style.

I’ve not missed a class in the year or so I have been working with Clare even though my wife does shift work and I often go without her. I have got to know all my classmates and the workouts are tough but relaxed and enjoyable. The greatest benefits I have witnessed are not what I expected when I started (remember this was mainly for my wife). Several people have noticed that my posture has improved (belly in, back straight, head up) not through ‘forcing’ it into this position, but improved core strength and upper back straightening. My ballroom dancing teacher has also congratulated me on my better posture and I find lifting weights at the local gym using Pilates ‘core activation’ techniques are more stable thus minimising back stress problems. Pilates is certainly not a ‘quick fix’ for long term problems, but Clare gives practical exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime that have a cumulative effect over time. Since I have modified the way I walk, stand, breath and lift, I have certainly noted a lessening of my chronic back-ache and frequency of the acute pain, and maybe…just maybe…over the years these may go altogether.

I have felt straighter and fitter in the 3 months since I joined and would recommend it to anyone who has problems with pain and balance problems.

I have been suffering from a chronic movement disorder for 10 years which has resulted in poor posture, neck and shoulder pain and balance problems. My specialist nurse mentioned Pilates may help and as a friend had started classes with Clare I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! Clare made me feel at ease from the very first class and will often correct my position so as not to cause any strain. I have felt straighter and fitter in the 3 months since I joined and would recommend it to anyone who has problems with pain and balance problems.

Before attending sessions with Clare, I was in constant pain through osteoarthritis in my hips, knees and back and I had sciatica. I couldn’t walk very far, struggled to put my socks on and was lacking in confidence. I saw Clare’s leaflet and thought “this sounds just what I need”. But I also thought “will I be able to do it at my age and with all my issues?” Clare was very understanding, had a lot of knowledge around my conditions and made me feel really comfortable. She tailored the exercises to suit me and after the first session, I felt great! Straight away I felt that I could move more freely and my pain had decreased.

After 3 weeks of attending Pilates I could move a lot better with less pain, I was walking further than I had in over a year and I could finally put my socks on with no problem. I now feel I have my independency back!!

Before attending my first Pilates, class, I was 48 going on 68! I was suffering with aches and pains daily and was really stiff in my joints. I was a little nervous about attending my first class. Was I going into a class full of stick thin gym bunnies? I couldn’t have been more wrong. The classes are small, full of people like me – just wanting to feel better in themselves and about themselves.
I thoroughly enjoy the classes. Its not just the physical change (although a much stronger core and becoming more mobile are reward in themselves) but the mental benefits are terrific. There is a positivity you feel after every session both physically and emotionally. And best of all the after only a few weeks my aches and pains are almost gone!

After my first session with Clare I noticed a big difference. I used to suffer from chronic lower back pain due to my job as a dispatch clerk. It was that bad that I used to avoid road humps when driving, as I found going over these extremely painful. This could add miles to my journey or mean agonising shooting pains in my back if I could not avoid them.

The day after attending my first Pilates class I had to drive over some road humps, to my surprise, no shooting pains, I couldn’t believe it!!!

I have since had to change my rear-view mirror as I am sitting up straighter in my car. I can’t believe how much my life has improved. I can now stand for long periods and I don’t have any problems going over road humps.

Before working with Clare and Andy I suffered from neck, shoulder and back pain almost every day.
I started a weekly Pilates class with Clare about a year ago and have since noticed that my mobility and pain has reduced significantly. I have also recently undergone a series of 6 sports massages over as many months with Andy. Working with both Clare and Andy has improved my core strength, reduced muscle tightness which has resulted in better posture and looser muscles and so I have less chance of future injury.

My only reservation was getting bored with classes, but Clare changes the routines, introduces new exercises and always listens to feedback making the class varied and challenging and the hour always flies by.

The thing I most enjoy about visiting Clare’s class is that it’s my ‘Me’ time, Pilates takes you to a calm place away from the everyday stresses of life like office work!. Clare’s class is a welcome part of my weekly routine that has helped me to continue enjoying the things in life I love to do like cycling and hill-walking.

I’d always wanted to start yoga to strengthen my muscles. Gain flexibility and bring some calmness to my life but always felt a bit anxious about joining a new class. It was then I came across New Healthy Body studio. I thought I’d give it a try and I brought my mum and Nan along as they’d both done yoga before and really missed it. Clare was so welcoming on my taster session, she made me feel at ease and comfortable. I felt great after my first session and so relaxed afterwards. Before yoga I found it so hard to relax. I was so stiff from sitting at a desk all day, suffered with my knees dislocating due to worn cartilage and I often had back pain. Since doing yoga I’ve noticed a difference in my knees they feel a lot stronger and I feel so much better about myself, a lot more flexible and my back pain is minimal. I look forward to going to yoga every week. Marie the yoga teacher is so lovely and full of energy! You can tell she just loves what she does which makes me enjoy my class even more. Marie is so patient with us all, offering alternative moves if we are unable to do certain positions. I felt ‘I’ve made such a great progress and I manage to push myself that little bit more every class.

I would highly recommend New Healthy Body to anyone! Having attended the Pilates and HiiT classes they offer the same personal touch in every session they deliver making you the main priority and making sure you make the most of your class. I couldn’t ask for a better health and wellbeing centre right on my doorstep!

I was stressed and had mobility problems with my arm/ shoulder in particular. I had done Pilates before and knew it wouldn’t cause me any harm and could be helpful so when I noticed a new class opening near me I went along for a taster session. I did have some reservations – would I be able to do all the exercises, would it hurt that kind of thing, would the instructor understand my needs. I needn’t have worried because Clare fully understood, took my condition into account and adapted the exercises so I could still do them. I enjoy my weekly sessions, my mobility and flexibility have improved a lot and I’ve learnt relaxation techniques. Clare is very understanding of any ability to do the exercises and has a wealth of knowledge how to help people with physical problems. The one best result I have gained in my year or so of Clare’s sessions is my mobility has improved to the point I don’t struggle to get out of bed and my shoulder problem is alleviated. I would recommend any age and any ability to go along and try it.

I had very limited shoulder mobility, pain in my shoulder blades and lower back from a road traffic accident some years ago. I was nervous about sports therapy massage as I thought I could end up in more pain so spoke to my Physio who advised to go ahead. I tried the free session and Andy concentrated on my injured shoulder and shoulder blades. He adjusted the pressure and I felt no pain. My shoulder movement has increased gradually over the time I’ve been having monthly massages. My shoulder blades no longer ache. I once went in with lower back ache and didn’t say anything to Andy – he found it anyway- he massaged away at it for a good 20 mins and when I left I wasn’t in any pain. He knows his stuff and talks you through what he is doing so you are never left wondering. He will increase pressure as you get better or adjust it if it’s too much. Very relaxing as well. The best result I’ve got from the massage – an improved shoulder.

My problems seem to lesson and are more manageable and it gives me a feeling of complete calmness

Because of a few problems I was having I decided to try a session of Reiki , and I was so glad I did. The therapy is so relaxing, not invasive, and quite honestly I could have fallen asleep. After the session was over I felt so laid back and remained like that for about 4 days, it not only made my problems seem to lesson but it gave me a feeling of complete calmness.

I left it a month before I had another session, but in that time my symptoms had surprising lessened, and the well being continued. My second was a success and I’m still languishing in the laid back relaxing mode and looking forward to next months session. This is something I would recommend for anyone to try as it’s totally out of this world. Go on try it!

I really enjoyed my reflexology sessions with Andy. He is very professional and considerate, taking time to discuss all of my issues. The treatment was very relaxing and it was fascinating to discover how different places on my feet relate to other parts of my body, amazing. Andy is extremely friendly and knowledgeable giving me lots of good advice and I found it a very calming, relaxing experience.

I’d been intrigued and wanted to try reflexology for some time but not done anything about it, so I was glad and a bonus that this was on offer at New Healthy Body. Plus, having had a massage with Andy previously I felt comfortable with him and I knew he would be ready to answer my questions.

I found the experience exceeded my expectations. From the outset there was a really good balance of instruction and information from Andy and periods of time to relax and just enjoy the experience. I’m sure once or twice I nearly nodded off!

I definitely learnt a lot about my body throughout the treatment and Andy explained things clearly and simply. Afterwards I felt so relaxed yet full of energy at the same time. I have to confess the full of energy state only lasted briefly before I went tired. That night I slept like a log and woke up the next morning very refreshed and full of energy which lasted for a couple of days and my feet felt amazing!!

I will definitely be booking more of these sessions and would strongly recommend anyone to try it for themselves.