Marianne Rajkovic 

"I started Pilates with Chris Ritchie in November 2009, suffering terrible stiffness and shoulder and upper back pain. I was having trouble getting in and out of our double kayak and seriously thinking I would have to give it away.

After detailing all my "problems" I thought Chris would quietly book me in to the old people's home, but no. We quietly worked on all my areas correcting my terrible posture and getting   my breathing right.

I started to notice an improvement in general movement within four weeks and now I am more supple than my husband! Pilates has given me an awareness of posture and using "core" muscles in all parts of my life – even walking the dog is easier!

I would recommend Pilates to anyone who is experiencing stiffness, in particular I would recommend doing it with Chris as her eye for detail means you are forced to do it correctly (even if that is harder). I now use many of the Pilates techniques in everyday life. Thanks Chris for delaying the Zimmer frame for a few more years!!!"