Testimonials

I am 57 and have been a consultant anaesthetist for 20 years. Anaesthetists are one of the few generalist consultants in the hospital. We believe in holistic care. (The others are paediatricians and accident and emergency doctors). During my early years as a consultant I developed and ran a multidisciplinary pain clinic where patients were assessed by psychiatrist, physiotherapist and myself at their first visit to the clinic. Many of these patients had back pain which had not responded to normal medical measures. Through a variety of invasive and non invasive measures most of these people had a significant improvement to their life. I believe in using several different approaches at one time to get the best effect for my patients.

Over the last 10 years I have had intermittent back pain. I took the pain killers and kept active. During the last two years this pain has become constant and the dose of pain killers has gone up. I can’t’ walk my dog longer than half a mile without getting a numb leg.

I can’t do the things that make me feel alive. It was as if someone with a sick sense of humour was saying “Physician heal yourself” I got down hearted, ate and drank too much an d put on weight.

With my background I was open to trying a variety of approaches. I went to my GP, an osteopath, a chiropractor, a physiotherapist. I was given exercises to do, but I failed to kept up with them and wasn’t sure I was doing them right. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who said there was nothing he could do to help.

Along the way Pilates and yoga had been mentioned. I had been pretty weak willed about this too. I couldn’t find a course that fitted in with my commitments. However shortly after the visit to the neurosurgeon I found out about the Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing. I looked at the website and was impressed enough to e-mail, detailing my history and background because I wanted Anne-Marie to know what she was taking on. Within a few hours Anne- Marie was on the phone encouraging me and I came to the next beginner’s class.

I was so impressed. We were gently and firmly taken through the exercises and given explanations why they were important. These explanations fitted with my medical knowledge and experience in the treatment of chronic pain.

I used to encourage my patients to keep active. This is because I believe that it is important to keep the strength in the back by exercising. Unfortunately I now realise that I didn’t give them any guidance on what exercises to do, except to go to the “Back Class” I also think that back surgery has to be done for few very definite reasons because the first thing surgery does is to damage the muscular support mechanism in the back (less so with minimally invasive surgery).

My medical knowledge tells me that backs can be strong but delicate at the same time. A little damage can produce such severe symptoms it is no wonder that conventional medicine has difficulty reaching a diagnosis. Pilates means that I can do focused exercise which doesn’t upset me or my back. I can improve the core muscles which really support my back. I wish I had had the knowledge to suggest Pilates to my patients, many years ago..

Anne- Marie has such an all round knowledge of many other disciplines that she is able to distil them and make sense of them for all of us in her classes. As a pain clinic doctor I believe that a holistic approach, such as this is needed for everyone in trouble. I do not believe in the single system approach that is on offer from many specialists.

The studio is modern, airy and light. During a season Anne- Marie changes the mood in the studio by gently changing the background music and light. There are always subtly arranged fresh flowers in the studio.It is a very calming space. It is also well equipped for Pilates and Yoga and has other options available.

It is early days yet but I have been very impressed by everything and everyone. I am determined to give Pilates my best shot. Even if it meant my back problem remained the same I am sure I am going to benefit from the support and fun of the sessions. I have also bought enough equipment to practise at home. So instead of slumping in front of TV I am on the ball following the video and keeping things going between sessions.

I am beginning to feel much better and I am happier and more aware of myself and my posture.

Yesterday I walked my dog for further than I have done for 2 years. I am not taking as many pain killers. I forget because then pain isn’t there and I am getting on with what I really want to do.

As far as I am concerned that is a major result.

Dr. Joy Stanton

M.B., Ch.B. (Leeds) Basic medical qualification

F.R.C.A (Fellow of Royal College of Anaesthetists of UK.), My post graduate qualification (Retired Sept 2010)

A Physiotherapists perspective

"I was attending Anne-Marie retreat in the hope of quieting my mind and reducing my stress levels. Her gentle and caring approach worked wonders for my physical and mental state and I felt GREAT! Goal achieved! I would recommend a weekend retreat for anybody who needs to recover, refresh and find healing and invigoration.

I am a physiotherapist and specialise in musculoskeletal medicine and sports injuries. I have a passion for the physical and mental benefits Yoga brings to my my own life and to that of my clients. I integrate the principals of Yoga and Pilates to help my clients to achieve full health and use advanced manual therapy skills to improve tissue and joint form and function. Yoga breathing/pranayama has been an integral part of my treatment for clients who suffer from chronic pain conditions.

lAnnelize Ferreira Harrogate Physiotherapy practice

Yoga Retreat

I could really see the depth of your own learning coming through in your teaching. It is clear you have undergone a lot of personal spiritual growth these last few years and this was very apparent in the sessions at the retreat.

You held the space wonderfully, allowing just the right balance for people to know they are in a safe environment, with a supportive teacher, and yet also to know they have the freedom to come and go as they please, and to do as much or as little of the yoga and meditation as they pleased. I think you got the balance just right.

As we both know, this work can go deep and works on many different levels - physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.
For those others on the retreat who were perhaps not quite ready for the depth of emotions and feelings that such a weekend can bring up, I think again you held the space beautifully, offering just the right levels of support and encouragement, but ultimately never forcing anyone to go further than they were prepared to go. It can be a difficult line to tread and I acknowledge you for your sensitivity and compassion.

I really enjoyed the yoga. I thought the standard was just right to cater to all levels - enough to get everyone moving and into their bodies, and not too much to make people feel overwhelmed. It's so important when so much is happening on a deeper energetic level. I felt myself very heavy with all the processing that was going on and so really appreciated your gentle yet firm encouragement and push to get moving!

I just loved the yoga nidra! I have never done this practice before, and it was deep! I really slipped into another realm at one point!
The meditation was great too - it is such a blessing to be able to have this time to put aside to really focus on these practices that rejuvenate and regenerate on so many levels. And here too, I could see how your own training and evolvement came to the fore. You led the meditation sessions with steadiness and experience, and I felt safe and supported throughout.

You are a gifted teacher, Anne-Marie, with a lot of wisdom and experience to share. You impart your knowledge with clarity and humour, and also with great humility. You offer a clear insight into many aspects of Ayurveda, of yogic practices and the work of Consciousness, without it being overwhelming or seeming inaccessible - Well done!

Now as for the food, what can I say? DIVINE! Just delicious! Perfect, perfect, perfect!

I would have liked to have spent a bit more time outside, but of course this is limited during a winter, and is hopefully something you will incorporate more into your summer weekends.

So on the whole, an incredible weekend! The work was profound and transformative and I left feeling recharged and refreshed. Your home is a sanctuary! What a gift to be able to spend time relaxing deeply, being cared for, nourished physically and spiritually! Thank you thank you thank you!

Aashka working with the accupressure mat

Aashka Cartwright (AnusaraYoga teacher)

Where Yoga and climbing meet

At 7am on 16th May 2004 I was privileged to stand on the highest point on earth, the summit of Mount Everest. Only four British women had ever stood there before me since it was first climbed in 1953 and I was the first ever to be leader of an Everest expedition.

The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma, which means Goddess Mother of Earth. As I stood there, with my Sherpa, on the summit, I looked to the east. The sun was just rising over the mountains of Tibet and I could see it’s rays gradually touching the whole world, which lay spread out below my feet. There was an amazing light and energy. It was so beautiful it was hard to take in. Goddess Mother of Earth said it all.

Seeing the world from this viewpoint, was a very powerful, emotional and spiritual experience, a life changing experience. At 29,029 feet, the summit of Everest is at the cruising height of jumbo jets. And I truly did feel nearer to the sun, the moon and the stars, than to the earth. I felt I could almost touch the sky, which was a beautiful deep cobalt blue. And as the earth curved away, far away into infinity, I became aware of the vastness of the universe; of it’s limitless potential; of our potential. For if I could do this, then surely anyone could do anything?

This was truly the most beautiful experience of my life, but it was also the most challenging. Climbing the highest mountain on the planet is one of the great challenges, and the parts of me that I had called upon to get me to that summit were many. But thinking about this in retrospect, I realise that they can be summed up in the words balance, focus, surrender, intention and strength of body and mind.

Sue on the summit of Everest View form the summit of Everest

At the time I climbed Everest I did practise yoga, but not on a regular basis. If I had had a regular practise I know I would have been better prepared, because I now realise that yoga is all about balance, focus, surrender, intention and strength of body and mind. And not only those things but many more. These are words that come up regularly in our practise of yoga with Anne-Marie, who bases these wonderful classes on the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, as founded by Deepak Chopra M.D and David Simon M.D. and on the Satyananda tradition. If only I had known about these classes in 2004 when I was preparing for Everest!

I feel that I am blessed to have found a style of yoga that is so right for me. There are many schools of yoga, and I have tried several, but the way Anne-Marie teaches it is, well, special, because she truly embodies mind, body and soul yoga. This yoga is not about stretching your body into contorted positions – which is a good thing, as I can’t! – it is about doing the best you can, it is about learning to still the mind, pay attention to your breathing, listening to what your body is telling you, about relaxing. We learn to be the best we can be with what we’ve got. This yoga is for everyone. It is nurturing, but at the same time it is giving us the tools we need to achieve our goals in life, no matter how big or how small they may be. Whether it is losing weight, changing our job, finding a new partner, coping with a serious illness, getting fit. Or changing our life for the better.

When I stood on the summit of Everest it made me realise that anyone can achieve anything. I am no more special than any of you. Life has not always been easy. In fact the catalyst for this part of my life journey was the tragic death of my husband from cancer. I thought my life was all happily planned out when suddenly I found myself a widow at the age of 38 - my life seemed to be over. This made me realise that we can never be sure where life is going to take us and we can’t be complacent.

If there are things we want to do, then why wait?

The idea of climbing Everest had never entered my mind before this. Even though I was a climber and people sometimes flippantly said to me: “Wouldn’t you like to climb Everest, it never ever occurred to me to try. Because I didn’t believe I could. And I don’t think anyone else did either! But the death of my husband changed everything. It took me a long time to get back on my feet again, but when I did I realized that every opportunity in life has to be seized. Life is here to be lived. I also realized how much I had been living in my husband’s shadow. I had been a wife living his life. Now it was my turn. So when I was given the opportunity of going to the Himalayas, to just have a look at Mount Everest, I jumped at it.

A month later I found myself at Everest Base Camp looking through a telescope at a friend standing on the summit of Mount Everest. And I knew right then that I wanted to be that person, to see what he was seeing and to feel that euphoria that I knew he was feeling. I had no idea how I was going to do it, but right then I set the intention to climb Everest. I made it my goal, I set the intention to achieve it and I stayed focused on it. And as a result, an incredible synchronistic series of events unfolded that allowed me to achieve this seemingly impossible dream.

Having been privileged enough to have done something others only dream about, I now focus on helping others to realize their goals and dreams, so they too can experience that amazing feeling of achievement and success – a feeling that money can’t buy, and something that no one can take away. I now work as a Life Coach, helping people to move forward in their lives, to achieve their dreams and goals and I take groups trekking in the Himalayas, to see the most beautiful mountains in the world for themselves, which in itself is a life changing challenge and experience.

I also work with a women’s charity called Women for Women International. Everyone has their own Everest in life and there are some women in this world who are overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges every day of their lives. This charity helps women who are in war zones, in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo, Rwanda and many others to rebuild their lives. Many of these women are widows with children who now have nothing, who have experienced untold brutality. The charity does not just hand out money but gives these women the necessary skills and resources to be able to support themselves, helping them go from victim to survivor to active citizen. In October of this year I am leading a trek to Everest Base Camp to raise money for Women for Women International. If you would be interested in joining me in the challenge of a lifetime and at the same time raising vital funds to help women who cannot help themselves then you can find more information at http://www.womenforwomen.org/help-women/susan-harper-todd-trek.php and also on my website www.susanharpertodd.com

Since I started practising yoga with Anne-Marie I now draw immense inspiration from yoga for my work. I just have to open the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and I can, for instance. read about the Law of Intention and Desire, which applies equally to yoga as it does to achieving goals in life. I realize that yoga is preparation for life. For a life moving forward, which means taking on challenges, for that is how we grow. Everyone has their own Everest in life and I am in no doubt that this beautiful nurturing approach to yoga will help you to climb yours.

Sue Harper Todd March 2011.

Anne-Marie says

Yoga means "oneness" or union of body, mind and spirit. Once we begin to feel this sense of union and balance within ourselves, which comes gradually as we do our yoga practices whether they be asana (the physical poses), pranayama (breathing exercises) meditation or other purifying practices we not only begin to feel a sense of self worth, peace and wellbeing but we then also gradually begin to feel a sense of unity with everything and everyone.

As we move from an ego based approach to life, we find our connection to others deepens, and as it does we are more able to experience all humans as our family and more able to love, help and care for others - so well illustrated in Sue's piece. Of course there are other ways to achieve this, but the wonderful thing about yoga is there are so many practical tools to help us.

Sometime in the near future Sue and I plan to hold a seminar. This will be a combination of yoga and life coaching, demonstrating how yoga can be used as a tool not only to enrich your life, but as a path to success, helping you to achieve your goals, your dreams and your desires. There will be more details coming shortly (after Sue's next climbing expedition).

But in the meantime please do come along and try the yoga, or Pilates if you prefer as many exercises are based on yoga postures. You are also taught in Pilates to undertake your exercises mindfully with full breathe awareness.

Don't wait until you feel better, have more time, or are less tired. If you have a financial reason that prevents you starting right now please have a private word as we do give concessions on yoga classes - according to your circumstances.

You can live an everyday life, or you can choose to have a life that's so much better.

Yoga and the loss of a child

Over 20 years ago my son Jon took his own life , he was 21 years old. Recovery from this trauma was a slow painful process but after some years I began to feel that I had come to terms with it. However 3 years ago I started to suffer from anxiety which became more and more acute with mounting physical symptoms. In the autumn of last year I suffered what I can only describe as a nervous breakdown. I had a panic attack in the centre of Harrogate, my legs seemed to have stopped functioning. I got back to my car with great difficulty, I'm not sure how I managed to drive home. I was put on antidepressants but these seemed to aggravate the anxiety. I stopped driving, would not go out alone and found it difficult to do anything other than simple tasks. The doctor insisted on my staying on the drugs but I felt worse and worse, I was afraid I might be taken to a mental hospital. By Christmas I had lost a stone in weight.

In the New Year I began to see a counsellor and with her help I slowly started to improve and came off the antidepressants. She arranged for me to go to a relaxation workshop - I felt like a drowning swimmer clinging to a rock. She then suggested to me that I should try yoga again as I had practised it before my son died.

Some weeks passed, then, with much trepidation, I contacted Anne-Marie and, picking up my will power, I came to a class. Every one was so kind and helpful. I felt so much better after each lesson that I began to believe that recovery was possible. By great good fortune I had found in Anne-Marie a gifted teacher with healing hands.

I started to meditate regularly and attended the Perfect Health Course where I learnt about helping my condition with Ayurvedic diet, self-massage and aromatherapy.

The Yoga Retreat Day in October was a special day for me. During the practice of Yoga Nidra (a deep form of relaxation used to create healing on all levels) I experienced for the first time a feeling of floating away from my problems.

When I looked into the candle flame I saw a golden path - the road to wellness truly does start here. Carole Simpson

Carole practising Trikonasana (the triangle)

Anne-Marie says

Over more than 20 years of teaching health related work I have worked with others with challenging life circumstances many of whom have made wonderful progress, but I am sure you would agree, that Caroles' testimonial is exceptional and particularly moving.

Carole has shown great courage in writing about this very personal tragedy and I thank and commend her for it.

The process of journalling helps one to recognise and come to some form of understanding and acceptance of the situation, but it is also so much more than this, as through this sharing we can all appreciate that there is a way forward, even from heartbreaking circumstances.

Carole's husband - Doug, has been awarded an MBE for the work he has done in introducing the Red Kites into the Harewood estate. This is also a wonderful way of taking positive steps to create and connect to nature, which from an Ayurvedic perspective is essential to our wellbeing

ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and yoga

About five years ago I started to develop a range of symptoms including extreme fatigue, aching and painful joints and muscles, inflamed tendons, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, vertigo, and general debilitation and weakness. The symptoms were eventually diagnosed as ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as it is now called. I had to give up working and was unable to do simple household tasks. Even showering and drying my hair, or just standing or walking was sometimes too difficult for me.

As I started to understand the causes of my illness it became clear that I had caused my illness through my lifestyle and that I could bring about my own recovery by changing the habits of my past. I needed to gradually introduce more activity back into my life whilst learning to relax and take things a little more easily than I had previously. There is a theory that CFS is caused by the body becoming stuck in a fight or flight stress reaction which in turn generates huge amounts of adrenalin and other stress hormones in the body leading to complete overload of all the main body function with toxins and a reduction in the body’s capacity to heal itself. As well as detoxifying the system tt rid of the toxins it is necessary to train the autonomic nervous system to generate and release endorphins and other helpful hormones into the system.

Developing a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle and increasing enjoyment of life is the key to recovery. I am sure that this is also a good preventative measure for those who have busy lifestyles and Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws of Success are the best guide I had come across to help develop this way of being.

I was drawn to the Yoga classes at the Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing because I had read several of Deepak Chopra’s books and wanted to immerse myself more in Ayurvedic philosophy, not just to aid my recovery but to ensure I stayed healthy afterwards. At first I found the Yoga very physically tiring and the exertion exhausted me. Just getting myself to the Centre was a triumph though and I was happy to take part from a seated position or sit out altogether when I ran out of energy. In particular I found the relaxation, mantras and chakra meditation brought about a good state of mind and helped my body to start to heal itself. I had been advised by a therapist specialising in CFS that my recovery would be quicker if I focussed on activities that I enjoyed and if I did not feel in the mood, not to force myself to do anything. I needed to avoid doing things because I “should” or “must” but only to do them because I really enjoyed them.

Anne- Marie’s personal attention and flexible approach to attendance was a great help in putting this approach into practice. My attendance was patchy at first but then I was able sometimes to add in an extra class when I had a good week, to make up for time lost. I also tried Pilates which I found easier physically and I swapped some missed lessons for sessions on the Power Plate and Physio-acoustic massage chair which were very helpful. I signed up for regular sessions on the Power Plate in addition to regular Yoga because I found it really helped to ease my aches and pains and made walking easier. In fact I felt as though I hobbled on to it in pain and leapt off felling as though I was walking on air. I used it twice a week for about three months, tailing off to once a week and then as and when I needed it. I no longer need to use the Power Plate to ease pain but I love using it to energise and tone my whole body.

After about a year of attending the Centre I was able to start swimming regularly and going for walks of up to 5 miles. I was more supple, experienced very little pain in my joints and had lots more energy. Anne –Marie has been very supportive and encouraging and has reinforced my success with her discreet compliments when I manage a little more each time I attend. I felt well enough and confident enough to attend a three-day course in York that I had wanted to attend for a couple of years. The Lightning Process Course (www.lightningprocess.co.uk), was the icing on the cake and my progress has been so good that I have been able to start a part time job in Harrogate and take on regular child care for my granddaughters who live in Darlington- they now nickname me “Super Gran”

I have finished the Perfect Health Course this September and have learnt how to change bad habits and adopt a lifestyle that will enable me to build up my body’s natural healing capacity and continue in good health.

Yoga at Yorkshire Wellbeing

Anne-Marie's Yoga classes have taken me to new understanding of my own body and in creating some balance there, I have started to achieve a better balance in my whole life. After attending her recent seminar I have experienced a complete mindshift on what foods to eat (for me), how much I need to eat and how to maximise my energy levels. I know it's early days - but for the first time in a very long time I feel that I have a way forward to shifting some of the excess baggage (literally and metaphorically) that I have been carrying around for most of my adult life and that's a wonderful feeling to have, it makes me smile from the inside out!"

Gwen Grove- head of Nothern division at Price Waterhouse Coopers

Yoga and the Chakras

I started Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga classes last year and have increasingly found the Chopra Centre method of teaching to be very beneficial to my health and general well being.

I am in my mid 40’s and have lived with chronic illness for over 30 years. I have a gynaecological condition called endometriosis and related problems with my stomach and bowel. I also have other symptoms associated with long-term illness such as severe fatigue and an inner ear imbalance.

Prior to starting yoga my experience of illness had already led me to believe that an holistic approach to treatment is a very effective way of managing symptoms and both acupuncture and good nutrition have helped me to cope over the years. However, the exercise and meditation techniques I am learning in Anne-Marie’s classes have added a new dimension to my healing process.

In particular I have found the type of meditation taught, which uses chakra colours and mantras, especially helpful and I have used chakra meditation and positive visualization to help to heal an ovarian cyst I was recently diagnosed with. I am also experiencing the benefits of introducing Ayurvedic principles into my diet, as after several months of following the dietary suggestions for my body type; I have had a significant improvement in my ongoing stomach symptoms.

The greatest beneficial effect however has been upon my creativity. Formerly I worked as a professional fine artist, but after major surgery when I was 28, I suffered a severe block and found it increasingly difficult to do creative work.

Since beginning yoga and meditation I have noticed a growth in my creativity, which has had a very positive effect on both mind and body.

When one is trapped in what can seem like a very dark place, in an endless cycle of illness, it is so easy to become disheartened and depressed.

As a pathway to rediscovering colour and light and a renewal of energy, I heartily recommend Anne-Marie’s Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga classes and I feel very fortunate indeed to have found a Chopra Centre trained teacher on my doorstep.

BRINGING BACK THE COLOURS

You may now have noticed the beautiful original painting in the studio "Bringing Back the Colours" -

please see photograph

this was painted by Fiona, I was, as you can imagine, extremely touched and moved to receive such a beautiful and thoughtful gift

Bringing Back the Colours’ – This is an expression I used to a psychotherapist 2 years ago while I was discussing how it felt not to be able to practice my art regularly, in the way I wanted to and in the way I had been doing since childhood until major surgery in 1992. From post surgery onwards my ability to create seemed at first to evaporate, (I experienced a complete block for 2 years), and then to only occur in ‘fits & starts’, I would sit for hours wanting to practice my art and wondering why I seemed unable to.
I described to the therapist what this felt like, how I quite often seemed to exist in a dreary black hole, that all the colours had left me. What I wanted to do was bring back the colours, but I didn’t know how, caught as I was in and endless cycle of chronic ill health.

When I started yoga classes with Anne-Marie in 2009, an amazing thing happened. From the very first chakra meditation at the end of the class all the colours I had been looking for and thought I had lost started to wake within me. I saw them and felt them, I seemed to be flooded with colour.

As I have progressed with yoga and my physical strength increases, (I managed 10 rounds of salute to the sun in class last week, this level of exercise would have been impossible for me 18 months ago), so too does my ability to practice my art regularly.

With this painting I wanted to thank Anne-Marie for her gift of yoga and for helping me to bring the colours back, in her classes I feel truly nourished by the universe.

Fiona Pattinson Assistant housemistress at Harrogate Ladies College

Christmas Pamper Day the Ayurvedic way

"A wonderful relaxing, informative and enjoyable day, it seemed to fly by. Starting off with a much needed Yoga session to get away from the madness of Christmas preparations, an oasis was created at the centre by Anne-Marie. It was exciting to learn some new cooking skills cooking the Ayurvedic way with Gita, even joining in to help prepare lunch with good company. My daughter who is 9 especially loved the Henna painting and making mandelas with new found friends. The day ended with not only the children dressing up but the adults as well! I can't wait for the next one it really makes you take a step back to take part and appreciate another culture where friendship, empathy, the sharing of stories and new found knowledge, is valued. Thankyou Anne-Marie and Gita". Sam Joseph

The "Power of Pilates"

I've been doing Pilates with the excellent Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing once a week for over 2 years after my chiropractor recommended it. I have been doing sport and exercise ever since I can remember and Anne-Marie's classes are some of the best I have attended. She works closely with each class of around 20 to make sure we are all working at our own level, as well as ensuring we use the correct technique, unlike many classes where 1 size fits all. In fact her persistence with correct technique is one of the many strengths and definitely pays dividends as you progress. In every class Anne-Marie will always test us by doing something differently and rewarding. She has also many other innovative pieces of equipment or ideas to bring to the class and you'll not find this sort of added value at any other of the local Pilates classes.

I used to have a weak sacro-iliac which really affected me after I did some sport. Now, I hardly need to see my chiropractor and have just completed the 2500 mile Great Divide Race. I could never have done that 2 years ago and over the 22 days, it took me to complete the race, I never once had a twinge or a complaint from my back. I'm totally amazed and totally converted to the power of Pilates. Pilates allows me to carry out my ambitions but has also given me a greater quality of life. After a big training session or a big race, I wake up the next morning with little or no back ache, it's been a revelation and allows me to take on and compete in some of the worlds hardest sports races. Pilates will also make you much more body aware which means you'll start sitting correctly at work or walking correctly. Anne-Marie works on a one to one basis to know your particular reason for doing Pilates and will constantly support you to achieve them.

Most people would think that cyclist generate most of their power from their legs. Well, a significant amount of back and core muscles are used to propel you along. The Great Divide race is a solo, self supported mountain bike race, which means you have to carry all your kit and this puts even more pressure on your back and core strength. Most sports training principles do not rely solely on just training in that one sport and advocate that you do additional types of activities to improve your performance. For me Pilates has significantly improved my performance with increases over the past 2 years being greater than the years before I took up Pilates.

Bruce Dinsmore
Sports Development Officer Cravern District Council

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Pilates and Recovery after back surgery - a long term solution

Twenty years ago I was crippled with sciatica after numerous treatments, including physiotherapy I was referred by an orthopaedic surgeon for a laminectomy. Twenty years ago this was a more complex operation and the post operative treatment was bed rest for 10 days, 2 weeks in hospital and I was also fitted with a corset.
After sometime, I realised that I needed to do some exercise and take matters in to my own hands but I felt a gym was not suitable as I still felt vulnerable and wanted specialist help. Due to the enforced inactivity I felt weak and lacking in confidence. So nineteen years ago I began specialist back care classes with Anne-Marie (now known as Power Pilates). The classes gave me back my strength and confidence. I have found the different exercises, techniques and advice most helpful and beneficial and I believe that without this help my back problems could have reoccured and while there will always be some weakness I feel strong, healthy and able to lead an active life.
I was also determined I was not going to return to the pre operative state so I have always maintained regular classes (only missing for holidays or illness) and in fact I dare not stop now!
Sue Daley

Anne-Marie says

Sue's experience is testimony to to the importance of taking responsibility and been committed to the treatment strategy.
After nearly 20 years of attendance Sue has managed her back situation so well due to her determination and commitment. Unfortunately we see all to often, an initial burst of enthusiasm and then a drop off after the first few weeks, or at the first hurdle. Pilates and yoga do work - they are long term lasting solutions. So please do aim to stay on track with daily practice and regular attendance at class so we can supervise you and check you are not picking up poor habits, as poor technique or misalignment can in fact make things worse.

Pilates for the rehabilitation of a stroke

“I had a Stroke in April 2006 which left me paralyzed down the whole of the left side which left me with terrible posture and very unbalanced and standing with a definite lean and weakness to my left side. Anne-Marie and Pilates have changed all that. As I have become aware of my “core” my balance, posture, and movement have all improved significantly.

I am 70 years old and Pilates has become a way of life for me and changed and helped me enormously. I used to play tennis and hockey to County level and while my age is the stumbling block now I feel able to keep up with the other class members now!!! (In my dreams!)

I recommend Pilates to anyone who wants to stay young and supple as possible”.

Sue Stewart

Anne-Marie says:

Thank you to Sue for this. Sue has done amazingly well, mainly due to her determination, but also regular attendance - twice a week at class - and a willingness to try other things such as MBT’s, the Vibration Plate, the Physioacoustic chair and other natural therapies.

Just to give one example of her progress; Sue can now do the full plank on the core stability ball - a very challenging exercise for anyone, but fantastic for someone who has had a stroke and still has some paralysis.

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Pilates & The Physioacoustic Chair

I have been a member of Anne-Marie Burford's Pilates class both in Harrogate and Bramhope for the last eight years.

The classes have given me enormous benefit in my all over fitness:- I suffer from arthritis and over the last nine years have had a hip and a knee replaced, whilst I also have osteoporosis.

Recently I had a very bad fall while on holiday and suffered hairline fractures to a hip, my pelvis and an elbow.

I resumed Pilates some nine weeks after these injuries and this has greatly helped me to regain my mobility. I find that I have much more movement in my joints as I proceed with these classes. All our particular needs are taken into account, while we are encouraged to try most exercises it is stressed that we should not over tax ourselves.

Even when tired or off colour making the effort to attend invariably makes it worthwhile.

During an appointment with my osteopath she remarked on my improved posture, having not seen me for several years. This is entirely due to Pilates and especially the use of the ball and the Physioacoustic chair ( I had 12 sessions on the chair this has helped with pain relief and has also assisted in the healing of the fractures).

I am now over 80!

Toni Trigg, Bramhope, Leeds

Anne-Marie says:

Both Toni and Bruce were featured in the Yorkshire Post October 2007 during Back Care Week

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Pilates/Vibration training and MBTS for sciatic pain and foot injury

I had been suffering from sciatica since July 2005 - relentlessly.

Walking was the only relief; physiotherapy barely touched the problem, acupuncture had no effect whatsoever, a sport management program left me in intense pain.

A cocktail of drugs resorted to after a particularly horrendous spell at Xmas 2005 had to be increased as the first prescription left the problem untouched. I finally managed - what a relief, although the pain was always there, latent.

Although I tried desperately to keep fit, I was losing my bounce and balance and walking in a funny way, probably to relieve the pain?

So it was that in January 2006 I enrolled at the Yorkshire Exercise Company for some Pilates figuring that if there were some exercises I could not do, so be it but, at 66 years of age I was not prepared to give up, not yet!

Anne- Marie introduced me to the benefits of Pilates and the feeling of well-being. Gently, slowly, my fitness regime was increased as I moved from beginners classes to intermediates.

Some exercises I would have been unable to tackle when I first started I am now doing with near ease, and my posture is, I know, so much better. When I walk along for I remind myself of the 'head up, shoulders down, breast bone up, tummy 30% in' and I surprise myself that it is already happening naturally.

Best of all I look forward to the training. But, it would take a long time to restore my fitness and perseverance and regular exercise, or so Anne Marie keeps drumming into us, is the key to it all.

At the beginning of June I went sailing in the Adriatic. My foot (sciatic side) suddenly gave in underneath me for no apparent reason and turned on its side with a bad sprain as a result. At the end of the week, with swimming, Nurofen and bandages the ankle and foot looked and felt a lot better. I disembarked and, hands full of bags, the foot unexpectedly did the same again. This time I ended falling flat on my face, bags still in my hands, the worst black eye you have ever seen and a very sore foot. Was it broken?

On arrival at Gatwick I was rushed to Reading Hospital for X-rays and no, it wasn't.

My GP sent me for a scan as the X rays were inconclusive. There, on screen lay the problem my sciatic nerve is trapped inside my 4th vertebra and the only solution, it would seem, is an operation to release it.

Up to me!

Anne Marie suggested I contact Dr Martyn Speight, an osteopath and sport injury physician for a second opinion, before entering the operating theatre.

Dr Speight examined the scan and approved of the surgeon I had been referred to by my GP. He did however suggest that I might want to think about an epidural (which have proved very successful in the management of sciatic pain) figuring that, if in my case, it did not work I could always return to the surgeon.

However, so far the most successful story has been that of the recovery of my foot: from being unable to put any weight on it to today, it has been remarkable, thanks, I am convinced, to the body coach.

Anne Marie acquired this vibrating machine just four months ago. I decided to try it - it had to be done regularly. I took her point and decided to exercise on it three times a week.

The first time I put my injured foot on the platform it was as if a thousand acupuncture needles had entered the side of my foot. A weird and most unsettling sensation. Should I stop there and then? There was no pain though, only this strong pulse and influx as if the nerves were being 'untangled' and the blood was rushing through. So, I stayed on for the full 30 seconds. The result was amazing: when I put my foot down, the pain had gone but, best of all, it felt restored. Of course, at first the benefit was only temporary.

14 sessions later, with the help of Pilates, the Bodycoach and perhaps the MBTs as well I know I walk better and my foot feels secure and has stopped turning in on itself.

Annie Robinson

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Pilates After a Car Accident

As a retired senior nurse/operating theatre superintendent and a qualified midwifery sister, I can personally recommend the Yorkshire Exercise Company.

I have attended Anne-Marie's Pilates classes since a car accident some years ago when I sustained injuries to my spine and shoulders. Conventional physiotherapy did not help whereas Pilates continues to be of considerables benefit and has helped me cope with my symptoms and promoted a feeling of well being.

Anne-Marie's training and experience is well demonstrated in her teaching. I have always found her classes of great help, thorough, safe and most enjoyable. She approaches each class member with understanding whatever their needs, be it general fitness or recuperation after injury.

Ann Archer SRN SCM ONC FPC, Bramhope, Leeds

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Pilates and The Fitter Client

I have worked in the leisure industry and worked out regularly I the gym, but still had back problems. I could not believe how hard some of the exercises were, even though I regularly worked out in the gym. Pilates has made a big difference in strengthening my core muscles and my back problems are much better. The classes are challenging at every level and each class always has something new

Paul Hudson, Harrogate

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Pilates After a Mountain Bike Accident

During my summer holidays in 1999 I had a serious mountain bike accident and incurred a proximal triple fracture of my left Humerus. After intensive physiotherapy at the local hospital I was discharged and advised to exercise using Pilates techniques to achieve maximum range of movement and recovery. I was advised that a full range of movement was unlikely due to the severity of the injury. I attended one of Anne- Marie’s regular group Pilates classes for approximately one year. In addition Anne- Marie recommended specific exercises to address the mobility of the damaged shoulder. I have continued to use these exercises on a daily basis at home. I have supplemented the Pilates exercises with sports injury massage. I have full movement of my previously shattered shoulder.

Stephan Matykiewicz (Dr.), Harrogate

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Pilates during pregnancy and for post natal recovery and back pain

I was originally referred to Anne-Marie by an osteopath about three or four years ago as I was suffering from a long term upper back problem, possibly due to the way I breathe as I am lifelong asthma sufferer.

I have attended Anne-Marie’s pilates classes regularly since then, save for a brief break to have a baby, and my back problem has improved greatly due, I believe, to the improvement in my muscle tone and posture and to the breathing technique used.

During this time I have also had a third child and continued to do pilates throughout my pregnancy; indeed I continued beyond my due date as the baby was late despite some vigorous bouncing on my core ball! I found pilates, particularly pilates using a core ball, invaluable during this time both in terms of maintaining muscle strength and in providing relaxation. I even took my core ball into hospital with me and spent my labour doing gentle exercises on it right up until about half an hour before the baby was born. I feel sure that the speed and ease of this labour were a direct result of practising pilates and using the core ball.

Having practised pilates regularly, an added bonus was that I was able to return to gentle pilates classes when the baby was 12 weeks old, after Anne-Marie had checked to make sure I was physically ready to do so. My baby is now a 17 month old toddler. I recently asked Anne-Marie to check the state of my rectus abdominus (those tummy muscles that split apart during pregnancy to accommodate the baby) and I am delighted to say that she found that mine have almost joined together again, thanks to my continued use of pilates.

I would recommend Anne-Marie generally as a pilates teacher, but particularly for during and after pregnancy. I felt she was always careful to advise me on what exercises it was safe and appropriate for me to do and it was personally very rewarding to be able to continue with pilates throughout that period and to have such a positive experience in labour, as this had not been the case with my first two children.

Michelle Still, Harrogate

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Pilates and Back Pain 1

History: Car accident / whiplash / slipped lower disc / knee problem / 2nd slipped disc / sciatica

Client: R J / Born May 1957/ Female

Treatment: Suggested hip replacement before diagnosed as slipped disc.
Maximum daily medication for 4 years…anti inflammatory drugs and strong pain killers
Traction / hospital / bed rest 6 weeks / physio / acupuncture

Professionals: Osteopath / Chiropractor / GP / Orthopaedic surgeon / Neuro-surgeon / Physiotherapist / Chronic pain team

Pilates: The consultant of the chronic pain team suggested I try Pilates, after 2+ years of chronic pain, which included ‘memory pain’. I completed an introductory Pilates’ course at Harrogate Hospital, run by a physiotherapist. The effects and pain relief were felt within weeks. They recommended 2 Pilates instructors, who were qualified to teach people with back problems. Anne- Marie was one. I joined her intermediates class and felt confused, embarrassed and way behind the rest of the group, who’d had a longer beginners’ course. My husband recognised the benefits and encouraged me to persevere with the classes.

2 years later… I am off all regular painkillers and medication. I haven’t needed to go to the chiropractors in almost 2 years. I’m no longer in constant pain. I sleep much better. Friends have commented that I no longer cringe every time I stand up, that I can move more quickly and that I can sit for longer periods. Recently, on visiting my GP for a minor complaint, he commented that I got up from the chair and walked really well. Amazing, as last time I’d seen him, we’d been talking about managing pain long term!

Present day: I still get occasional back pain but have learnt to breathe through the spasms or use my Pilates ball to ease the pain. My knee has improved, isn’t swollen and no longer ‘locks’ or is constantly painful. I get fewer headaches. I can sit for longer periods before the pain sets in. I can do most things. There’s still the odd Pilates exercise I’m useless at, but I know why and can accept that.

Best of all, I don’t wake up in the night with my back in painful spasms.
I only attend classes once a week, but the benefit is great. I wish Pilates had been suggested when I first had my back problems as it would have saved me years of pain and medication.

Anne-Marie has encouraged, taught me safely and offered practical suggestions when asked. You have to trust the teacher …people with back pain are cautious of doing anything that will set them back!

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Pilates and Back Pain 2

I spent much of my mid forties plagued by sciatic pain and bouts of acute lower back pain. Quite apart from the obvious discomfort, this often forced me to sit on the sidelines at dances & other active events.

After a particularly painful episode I was referred to the physios at Harrogate hospital, where traction gave some relief. However I was also invited to attend a course of pilates which I found beneficial. The theory behind the exercises made sense, so when Anne-Marie opened her studio only a few hundred yards from my home I signed up for beginner's pilates.

I have now been attending regularly for 2 years. The longest I have ever stuck at an exercise class. This is thanks to the individual attention, lack of competitiveness and most of all because it is obviously working for me.

I won't say I never have an aching back but I now have strategies for dealing with it which are effective. I am more aware of my posture and the only real problem I've had with my back in the past 2 years was caused by my own stupidity in lifting something badly which was very heavy. Even then I recovered far more rapidly than I would have done in the past.

Charmian Ingram, Duchy Road, Harrogate

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Pilates and Scoliosis

Since starting pilates my muscles have toned and I feel a lot taller. Anne-Marie is a very good teacher and the classes are always varied and interesting.

Amanda Hudson, Harrogate

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Pilates and chronic pain

Over the past eight years I have had many major operations on my stomach and colon. With these problems still remaining unresolved you can imagine how awful I felt! So I decided to turn to Pilates as a form of exercise which would suit my body needs. With my consultants approval I started attending a ‘Beginners’ class with Anne-Marie. As Anne-Marie taught Pilates at the hospital I felt at ease and able to let her know my medical history – and so she was able to keep a general eye on me! I repeated the Beginners course several times before I felt able and confident to move ‘up’ to the Intermediate level – where I do as much as I can and in my own good time. Nobody minds and everyone is so friendly too. I know that my progress has been great and that Pilates has been so beneficial improving my overall health too!

As a result of so much surgery I am a Chronic Pain sufferer and on the advice of a pain consultant Pilates has helped me with this too. I have learnt how to breathe properly and - most important of all - to relax!

Tina Chaplin, Hereford Rd. Harrogate

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Pilates and sacroiliac pain

Suffering from increasingly frequent bouts of sacroiliac and coccyx pain, I tried various methods to alleviate the problem. Physiotherapy and osteopathy provided short-term relief. I also tried Pilates classes at my local gym. However the format of the large group with the teacher standing at the front, meant that I developed poor technique in the exercises.

Since joining the Pilates classes at the Yorkshire Exercise Co., I have been learning how to do the exercises properly and have been improving my posture, abdominal tone and "core strength". As a result, I have not had a recurrence of my low back pain.

Dr. Jo Huxley

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My NARL Experiment

copy now only available in the studio

MBT testimonial

I am a 35 year old mum of two and have been regularly wearing MBT shoes now for seven months. Initially I was sceptical that a pair of trainers could help with back pain and particularly with toning and weight loss but having tried these shoes I can say they have certainly worked for me.

I am not a fan of gyms and formal exercise (although I have recently taken up Pilates which I enjoy), but I walk my sons to school most days which is a trip of approximately one mile. Just by doing this amount of walking in MBT shoes I have lost 12 lbs in weight and toned up considerably. Since children I have settled in weight at the upper border of what was appropriate for my height but now I look and feel much better.

The muscles of my legs, hips and bottom have toned beautifully and my stomach is still toning up. The skin tone has dramatically improved and I have no sign of cellulite. Nagging back ache which has troubled me since pregnancy has also improved and is now only occasionally troublesome rather than a daily occurrence.

I have been practising Pilates for a few months. Both my instructor (Anne-Marie ) and I agree that my experience with MBT shoes is helping my Pilates. I am stronger in the core and have better balance that most complete beginners at Pilates from the MBT shoes.

Alison Froud

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The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing, 40 Duchy Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2ER