Group Classes | Chronic Pain | Private Classes | Ante Natal | Post Natal
Helen W, Whiplash and Back Spasms
I recently had a neck injury – along with a lot of spasms in my neck I also got a lot of stiffness and pain in my shoulders and spine. My physio recommended Pilates.
Janet C, Chronic lung condition called Aspergillosis
Veronica B, Oestearthritis in both hips, poor posture and neck pain
Sheila H, S.M.I.L.E Group (Chronic Pain)
Our Pilates classes began when Cath was asked to come once a month to our S.M.I.L.E pain clinic, which covers many disabilities for each person, I have pains from my back etc and very personal problems that my disabilities have caused.
Pilates sessions are very enjoyable as a group, one it encourages us to do our best, with Cath's teachings and encouragement, also carrying out our Pilates moves taught, that bring out the good feel factor, plus a big boast to Cath to see her teaching of Pilates is successful to us all.
More gentle flexibility which gives us confidence to keep us trying. In our group, it’s the none stop laughter backed by never ending personal advice from Cath to overcome any problem, body wise, Cath in S.M.I.L.E Group we are all that much more uplifted by your teachings of Cath Hopkinson Pilates Skills.
Cath while your Pilates classes are 100%, the sense of humour you bring to them is very uplifting, while taking NOTHING away from your teachings. Good luck Cath in your future plans, it’s a very old but true saying, “you only get out of life, what you put in!”
Derek B, S.M.I.L.E Group
I suffer with arthritis and am a member of S.M.I.L.E. I attend their classes each time to help me relieve some of the pain and stress that I have to deal with everyday.
I benefit from all exercises because having limited movement in all joint, doing all to achieve the exercise id definitely beneficial.
The exercises I have learnt I do at home and this helps to give me more flexibility and a feeling of success.
When one is in constant pain this affects all aspects. I have found smile a very helpful and successful society and the Pilates exercises are something to look forward to and one of the most important aspects is being able to laugh and enjoy it. When one is laughing you forget your pain and that is important.
Anne, Darwen
"Thank you very much for your invaluable advice and instruction which has demonstrated the effectiveness of expertly taught Pilates.
I hope you appreciate the difference you have made."
(Attended sessions due to chronic neck/shoulder pain and within 3 months had considerably more movement and less pain than she had had for the previous 5 years).
Anne Topping, (On-going weekly sessions since 2003)
“Cath has been my personal trainer for the past 7 years and I can honestly say that she never seems to run out of ideas! I always feel like I’ve had a good work-out when she visits and she doesn’t let me get away with any cheating!
Cath has kept me motivated to maintain and progress my level of fitness over a sustained period and her enthusiasm and creativity in devising new methods of torture know no bounds!”
Janet, Walton-le-Dale
"Pilates, to me, had always been a mind numbing experience, where I spent the hour of my weekly class, watching the clock, willing the session to end and trying to convince myself that it was doing me good!
I decided to give it one last try before abandoning it for ever and arranged one-to-one sessions with Cath Hopkinson. From day one, I didn’t even think about looking at the time, as Cath kept my interest throughout the hour each week. We started with the basics and I found that I was actually doing exercises that were part of Pilates, as routines in my daily life. We have now moved on to all kinds of interesting moves, using different pieces of equipment.
The best bit is that when I get something wrong, there is no feeling of “being admonished by the teacher” but being allowed to break the tension by laughing about the mistake and trying again.
I have to be honest that I really enjoy the weekly sessions – something that I didn’t believe would ever be the case!"
Janet has been a regular devotee of Pilates for the last 6 months and who sucessfully completed a 2-week cycle challenge around Cuba. Well done!!
Leesa S, (Chartered Physiotherapist) came for private ante natal sessions then group Pilates sessions post natally
I chose individual classes when I was pregnant and feeling some pain and discomfort in my pelvis. It helped me prevent the pain worsening towards the end of my pregnancy by maintaining some core stability. Following the birth of my daughter, I was still suffering from weakness in my abdominals due to the muscles separating quite significantly. The classes have helped to reduce this separation and increase the tone in my stomach muscles.
The classes are tailored to the want/need of its members, targeting different areas specifically so benefiting everyone appropriately. The grading of exercises allows everyone to be able to get maximum benefit without pushing too much..... Unless you want to of course.
My stomach muscles are resuming to more normal strength and tone. My flexibility is increasing gradually which is great for encouraging me to continue with the classes.
Cath is particularly approachable as a teacher and is always able to reply to emails or phone calls if needed – with a sense of humour!! This is a rare quality and we are lucky to have found her.
Tracy M, proud mother of two. During both of her pregnancies Tracy continued her Pilates lessons.
“From pre-pregnancy to post pregnancy I received individual professional support and guidance within the group setting.
A wonderful and safe experience”.
Anne M, Diastis Recti (Very weak abdominal muscles postnatally)
Recommended by physio following childbirth in order to develop core stability and carry out correct abdominal exercises needed for posture and body shape.
Definitely appropriate exercises and ability to ask and be shown when necessary. Understanding of Cath of rectus split and need to tackle some exercises differently (always giving alternatives). Also the email and phone support and general down to earth and real lives attitude.
Advice meant that I returned to GP and received further corrective physio and advice. Phone and email support makes me feel someone cares, and encourages me to motivate myself to attend (which isn’t always easy).
Like how the class is developing further and branching out to encompass related areas. Hope I can access many of them in the future.