Starting in 2010, Pilates (pronounced pillartays) classes will be held on Thursday afternoons, in the Church Room in Puddletown. These classes will be specifically designed for people with lower back problems, e.g. recovering from a slipped disc or other injury, or generally creaky and inflexible backs.

The aim is to strengthen around your lower back, and to improve spine mobility. As this starts to take effect, you should experience less discomfort, and you should also notice an improvement in overall strength and mobility. By the end of the second course, you will know how to look after your back, which should reduce (and maybe even eliminate) recurrences of your back problem.

Handouts (homework!) will be provided.

While there is enough demand, there will be two Thursday classes:

• 1pm – 2:15 6-week “beginners” course Course fee: £48
• 2:30pm-3:45 6-week “improvers” course Course fee: £48

Each course is limited to 8 people. Please note that these are not “drop-in” classes - bookings will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mats, head cushions, and other equipment will be provided. You will need to wear something which allows you to move comfortably, such as stretchy (or track suit) trousers and top.

Usually, the first class in each “beginners” course will cover the basics of Pilates, and in the following 5 weeks we will progress into slightly more demanding exercises.

However, as an introductory offer, there will be “taster” sessions at 1pm on Thursday 7th, 14th & 21st January (£8 per person), again with a maximum of 8 people per session. These sessions will be the same as “week 1 beginners”. If you then book into a beginners course, this will be deducted from your course fee, i.e. 7 weeks for the price of 6. (If everyone on the course has already done a taster session, then in week 1, we can just do a quick recap of the basics, and move onto some new exercises.)

Classes are run by Pete Whittet, who has been teaching Pilates full-time since qualifying with the Body Control Pilates Association in March 2001. Pete is also a member of the nationally recognized Register of Exercise Professionals, level 3 (advanced instructor).

Following the “taster” sessions, the first course will begin on Thursday 11th February. If you are already familiar with Pilates, and would like to book straight into a back-oriented “improvers” course, please let Pete know, and he will try to accommodate you.

For more information, to book into a “taster” session, or to book onto a course, please contact Pete on 01305 851 581.