A couple of years ago, I suffered a partially slipped disc, which left me in chronic pain from sciatica down my right leg.

Physiotherapy and steroid injections into my spine helped but did not entirely cure my symptoms. My GP and physiotherapist recommended Pilates, so I signed up for private sessions with Mary. I didn’t know much about Pilates beforehand and wasn’t sure it would work.

However, I soon began to see results. Mary is an excellent coach – very patient, knowledgeable and kind. I work from home and really appreciate that she can come to me. She assessed my needs and devised a programme of stretches and exercises designed to improve my core strength and flexibility. It took time, but gradually my symptoms and pain began to subside.

As things started to get better, Mary created new routines to suit my strength and ability. I am now virtually pain-free. My posture has improved significantly, and my overall strength and flexibility has improved.

I would certainly recommend Mary to anyone with back problems, and the tailored approach one-to-one sessions provide.

I’m a reasonably active person, and before, I was worried my lifestyle would be limited by chronic pain. However, I now feel a lot more confident about the future and working with Mary has inspired me to continue to exercise to stay fit and healthy.

I had been suffering from sciatica for almost a year. I had an injection of cortisone through my private healthcare, and I had met Mary for the first time at a Pilates class at David Lloyd. I instantly liked Mary’s style of teaching. She was clear, precise and took great care to ensure that we were doing the exercises correctly. I approached Mary at the end of the class to ask about having private lessons. In January 2011, I started having private lessons with Mary at my home, and I must confess that I am now pain-free. I can feel that my abdominal muscles are a lot stronger than before I started Pilates lessons with Mary. My flexibility has also improved, and I am more aware of my posture. I am sure, without a doubt, that Pilates has helped me, and I am thankful to Mary for that.

I really enjoyed working with Mary and have noticed a remarkable improvement in my back. When I first started with Mary, I could sense another major back incident starting. It’s now gone away totally, and I am much more aware of my posture (and how badly I held my body in the past).