Since that time I have found it increasingly difficult to get back into a route of regular exercise, other than walking our chocolate labrador.

That was until my wife enrolled me at The Pilates Studio. I have just completed the first 6 week course and have found Pilates a wonderful way to exercise for all ages in a warm friendly environment under the expert and gentle guidance of "Sheila".

I have now embarked on The Pilates Studio's 8 week course and would like to say that my choice of the word "gentle" in respect of Sheila may be up for reconsideration shortly.

"After ending up in A&E with a torn back muscle in August 2013 I knew that I needed to sort out my back problems. Having known Cherry since the early 90s it was the Pilates Studio I turned to for help.

I absolutely love Modern Pilates; my back is better and stronger now and the teachers at The Pilates Studio are second to none in their teaching and expertise.

I'd recommend Modern Pilates and the Pilates Studio to anyone; you don't need to be having any physical problems to take it up! I wish I'd started it before the torn back muscle!!

I can certainly recommend Modern Pilates classes at The Pilates Studio to anyone young or old. I suffered for years with sciatica , back pain and on 2 occasions a collapsed disc (slipped disc).

My back was becoming more rigid and movement restricted. I joined my first Pilates class sometime ago now, they are enjoyable and within weeks the exercises made a difference.

I am now more flexible, my spine is more supple and my whole body is stronger. Cherry and Sheila conduct their classes with empathy and caring, have many years experience and are truly professional.

I have suffered pain in my lower back for many years due to the job I do. I had many sleepless nights because I could not find a comfy position to sleep.

My wife suggested I try Pilates, I dismissed this as I do active sports and thought this wasn't for men. I finally gave in and went along very sceptical. However the class taught by Sheila is definitely helping and I have seen an improvement within 5 weeks.

The classes are not what I expected, they are relaxed and fun!

I used to be exteremely fit. Over the past 18 years I have broken both ankles, a hip and my spine (not all at the same time!). I am fortunate still to be vertical, but the flexibility has obviously decreased.However, doing Pilates with Sheila for the last few Wednesday mornings has inreased my flexibility and general stamina more than I had any right to expect.

Now, with a little effort I can put my head down on my knees without bending them. I can also get up onto my shoulders in a bridge position. By the way, I am 75.

As someone such as myself who has had three serious back operation I have found the Pilates exercises given me by Cherry very easy to do at home which has resulted in some easing of the back pains I suffer.

On meeting Cherry she had an immediate understanding of my limitations and arranged a programme of appropriate exercises that whilst being beneficial, did not exert me and cause further problems.During each session she is aware of each persons limitations and tailors their individual exercises accordingly. July 2013