Author Archives: Karen Coupland

Having been diagnosed with osteoporosis recently i decided i needed help in the form of pilates. i found Karen on the internet and after a very positive telephone conversation i decided i would benefit more with one-to-one sessions. i booked a course of six sessions which have been very enjoyable and more importantly has taught me about my posture and lack of core strength. After a class with Karen you come out feeling relaxed, happy and i also feel half an inch taller. Karen explains everything thoroughly without making you feel inadequate. I would advise anyone to start with one-to-one sessions as you understand the breathing and core strength much better. thank you Karen looking forward to my next six sessions.

Karen is a highly professional, eternally patient and cheerful teacher. Keeping mentally and physically fit is really important to me especially as I run a business and need a clear head to make good decisions. I decided that doing pilates would complement my running and ensure that at least once a week I would take time to focus on my posture. I started in a small class and after a while Karen suggested that my needs might be better served with one to one sessions. This has been really great for me as the session can be organised to suit me. Some weeks I need to relax and other weeks I enjoy doing quite challenging sessions that help build my core muscles. Karen is very flexible and is always able to adapt the session around what I need. I am very impressed at Karen’s attention to detail and organisation. I highly recommend her classes.

A few years ago,when I was 63, I began to suffer back pain. I had regular sessions for about two years with an Osteopath who told me I had a Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Although her skill brought immediate relief after each appointment, the pain soon returned. On the Osteopath’s recommendation I saw a consultant at the RIE. After the x-rays, I had one shoe built up at the Orthotics Department as the Scoliosis was causing me to lean to one side, I also had Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy. These sessions were very helpful but I felt I needed greater understanding of how to improve the muscles in order to support my back. I had heard that Pilates could help strengthen the core muscles and I felt this might be worth a try.

I have now been working with Karen as a one to one for about two months now and I have a much better understanding of how I must think about my Posture. She has explained and shown me how the muscles on one side of my body have weakened. I am working with her to try and balance this out. The exercises we work on are done with a focus on mind and body control and afterwards, although I feel I’ve had a workout, I feel stronger and more relaxed. I think this is the way forward for me and I must work hard at it, as the discomfort I have experienced for years and years has prevented me from enjoying so many interests. It seems sensible for me, or someone in a similar situation, to aim to try and minimise the discomfort rather than aggravate it by allowing my Scoliosis to take over.

I started pilates after my chiropractor, who I was seeing because of a severe back injury recommended it as a form of rehabilitation. Before starting, Karen assessed my situation through a health history questionnaire and physical assessment. Pilates has really helped, especially with my core muscles and I can feel my back getting stronger. With Karen’s help I have been able to take up my hobbies of running and mountain biking again and I strongly recommend pilates to aid recovery from back injuries.

As a 66 year old with dodgy joints and family history of osteoporosis I approached Pilates with trepidation. I need not have worried, as Karen took a full medical history, and as the exercises became more challenging she was able offer alternative ways of doing them.

We are continually reminded to use our “core” muscles, so much so, that walking round the supermarket you think of them, and pull yourself up straight, instead of slumping over the trolley.

Karen’s classes are always fun, and a good workout! I have been attending her classes for over 4 years now and long may it continue!

I have been attending Karen’s Pilates classes once a week for at least 3 years.

There are only ever  a maximum of 4 people in the class which is great as Karen can give us her undivided attention. Karen can go around us individually finding out how we are coping with the excercises and help correct or modify what we are doing to suit the individual. The ages and health of the class varies and Karen caters for all of us, tayloring what the individual can cope with. We all do the same excercises but possibly at different levels of complexity. This is one of the greatest benefits of the smaller class. Through Pilates I have rediscovered my core muscles and now find I correct my posture when standing or walking and I now no longer slouch. I first started attending Karen’s classes when I had spasms in my neck muscles and found it very  difficult to relax them, through physiotherapy and pilates I finally managed to relax the muscles. I still have to use pilate techniques to help release the muscles occasionally if they tense up. As part of Karens warm up routine with us she always brings in the ones that help release the shoulder and neck muscles, I particularily like these excercises.

I can’t recommend pilates highly enough, it is low impact but gives your muscles and joints a very good workout.

My name is Robert I am 36 years old and I have always had problems with my neck, shoulders and back mainly because of the amount of hours driving, I’m also a drummer in my local pipe band which I’ve enjoyed doing for years now but the way my shoulders and neck would feel at the end of the week was a complete nightmare. I couldn’t figure out what to do my doctor had told me it was due to my long hours driving. My sister put me in touch with Edinburgh Pilates, where I met Karen who could see straight away what was happening with my shoulders and neck. Within a matter of weeks I lost all the tightness across my upper body. The Pilates has made a huge difference to me and I’d recommend it to anyone who is going through the same.

My name is Susan I’m 28 years old and have been attending one to one sessions with Karen for a two and a half years. I had always suffered lower back pain which wasn’t helped by sitting long hours at a desk. I was seen by a physiotherapist who suggested Pilates as a way of strengthening my lower back and helping me with my posture and core stability.

The sessions Karen sets out for me have taught me how to do the movements in such a way that my lower back is safe. I found out that using my core muscles really did make a big difference to the way my back tended to feel, I became conscious of how I should be sitting at my desk in order to prevent the horrible discomfort I used to feel. Karen also gave me useful exercises which I can do at my work and these have made a massive difference to the way my lower back now feels. Thanks Karen for your patience and support.