Category Archives: Client Feedback

I have recently just started pilates with Karen, and as a complete beginner I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I’m almost finished my first block with her and am really enjoying it!

What I like most about her sessions is the way she breaks every thing down, so you learn how to do the exercise and what the aim of the exercise is. She likes to make sure she’s getting a quality movement from you rather than how many you can manage, which is what I had thought it was all about.

If something has gone a bit wrong with the way I’m doing an exercise, she is quick to help out and won’t let me continue until I know what I need to watch out for and focus on. I’m nearly at the stage where I can spot some of my own mistakes and its a good feeling when it’s worked and I can notice the difference! There’s plenty of laughs in the sessions too.. does giggling use core muscles? hope so! she really seems to know how to get the best out of every one, it’s worked with me and I’ve seen it work on other new people.

Looking forward to another block and have also got my auntie interested in joining next session.

I first started group classes with Karen when I was pregnant with my third child, and then continued with one to one classes in the post natal period. Before my baby was born she was easily able to incorporate me into a group class, with the appropriate tweaks and equipment necessary for advancing pregnancy. The one to one classes after the birth have been excellent in regaining core strength, improving posture and generally stretching out muscles tightened by carrying children and car seats. I would highly recommend her to anyone,male or female, pregnant or not. Her beautiful studio is easily accessible and traveling from Morningside by car was no problem. As a mum of 3 herself she very much understands that sometimes things do not run to plan and that classes are missed. The fact that she allows you to make these classes up at a later date is tremendously useful, and exemplifies her unique and understanding nature.Thank you, Karen!

I started Pilates classes with Karen a couple of months ago after years of neck stiffness and lower back pain due to a busy job which involves a lot of travelling and many hours spent in front of a lap top each day. I have just finished my first block of one-to-one Pilates classes with Karen and am already noticing that I have less stiffness and more flexibility in my neck despite having to miss the odd week due to work commitments. Karen is a very patient and encouraging teacher who has really helped to motivate me and encourage me to believe that I can regain mobility.

I have tried group Pilates classes in the past but was never convinced that I was doing the exercises properly-Karen gives clear instructions and tailors lessons to suit my needs which is great. I will definitely continue with one to one classes with Karen and look forward to seeing further improvements over the coming months!

I have suffered from chronic back, hip and knee pain for over 3 years and to be honest I felt ancient! at 50 years old I thought my physical life as I knew it was over!

I’m a keen walker and spend a lot of time up north walking in the hills with my dogs for hours at a time. It seemed I could only manage half an hour before the pain kicked in and I would have to turn back and go home.

My physio Melanie suggested I try ‘Pilates’ and gave me Karen’s details, so with some reservations I got in touch. The setting is perfect for me, I’m no ‘high impact girl’ and lots of women in tight lycra displaying tanned bodies to pumping music scared me to death! No worries on that score, Karen’s classes are small, 3-4 max and personal, Karen is dedicated to your time with her and gives each of us the attention we require to perform the exercises properly for the best results.

I’ve also been taking circuit training sessions with Karen and feel sessions like these have been good for me, something I never thought I’d manage to do, getting the benefits of a cardio work out without agonising joint pain is what I’d been looking for, I discovered you don’t need to train to the point of exhaustion to feel the benefits! plus my physio feels it’s doing me good too!

The encouragement has seen me through some ‘Low points’, my confidence in my ability to attempt some of the more challenging exercises is growing, I’m stronger and I even remember to use my ‘Core’ during daily life. I think my turning point was when I decided to really invest in my health, buying clothes, bags, shoes and other luxuries have never been an issue but investing in my health always seemed to be last on my list.

It’s a big turn around for me and I am now reaping the benefits, after all, no point in buying beautiful shoes, if you’re not strong enough to wear them!! and show off a great posture! So if you are reading this, take my advice and give it a go, be patient and watch what happens, as the advert says, ‘your worth it’! Huge thanks to you Karen, couldn’t have done it without you.

I am a 67 year old woman who has been doing one to one Pilates Instruction with Karen for about 3 years now. I have a long history of lower back problems and have gone down many avenues to try to alleviate the pain, including acupuncture, reflexology etc, but nothing helped for any length of time.

I decided, on the advice of one of my daughters, to try Pilates, and it was she who “found” Karen for me. I had never done Pilates before so I felt more comfortable in a one to one situation. Having specific problems I felt they could never be dealt with in a class of 10 or more.

Karen took a full medical history before I started to pinpoint any specific areas that needed looking at and this is updated annually which is very professional.

Each lesson is specific to the way I am feeling on any particular day. My mobility has increased and my posture is so much better and I have learned what my core is all about. Pilates also helped me correct a bout of Plantar Fasciitis and Karen suggested it might be worth while having an MRI Scan for my lower back pain, since I had never had one taken. The scan revealed disc compression in my lumber spine, however, I was told that only surgery would “cure it”.
I wasn’t happy about going down that road, so I have continued with my one to one Pilates with Karen. I have learned so much from her, that I also do lots of the exercises at home. I have improved to the extent that Karen now has me circuit training, specific to my needs of course. Never thought that I would ever be able to say that!

I should also say, that we have fun and I would recommend Karen to anyone who is not feeling as young and as fit as they used to be!

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!