Strengthening and toning the body.
Developed over 90 years ago by joseph pilates
In 10 sessions you will feel the difference
In 20 sessions you will see the difference
In 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body
Pilates exercise and body conditioning helps to:
Strengthen and tone muscles
Improve posture, flexibility and balance
Relieve stress and help you relax
Relieve joint and back problems
Create a longer, leaner, stronger body
The exercises target the core postural muscles to balance the alignment of the body, putting less strain on the joints and internal organs. It ensures the correct muscle recruitment pattern is used for each particular movement. It focuses on both the mind and body, helping to relax and create a sense of wellbeing and energy.
Pilates classes
Email gillianburn@healthcircles.co.uk or call:
Gillian Burn – 07831 526531
John Spencer – 07970 598080
Gillian and john
Gillian has been involved in exercise and health promotion for over 30 years. She trained as a nurse, midwife and health visitor and has an MSc in Exercise and Health. Before the pandemic Gillian delivered personal development training to companies around the country and is an author of several books. Gillian’s focus is now mainly with Pilates helping her clients create a healthier mind and body through Zoom and face to face pilates and the occasional healthy chocolate making workshops! Gillian trained with The Body Control Pilates Academy in 2003, Europe’s leading professional body. She is registered as a Level 3 Exercise Teacher with the Register of Exercise Professionals.
John has an exercise and sports background and has coached sports people over the years near Windsor. John trained with The Body Control Pilates Academy in 2003. He is a Level 4 Specialist Instructor with the Register of Exercise Professionals and a certified Back4Good® Practitioner and Backcare professional. He focuses on general pilates and specifically for individuals with back issues.
They were both rowers when then discovered Pilates. They undertake regular continuous professional development with the Body Control Pilates Association which provides access to leading specialists worldwide to maintain standards in Pilates exercise and current knowledge. They are also registered with the Society for the Pilates Method (SPM) founded in 2020 to ensure that Pilates teachers have access to the full body of work through their pilates member organisation.
Gillian and John live in Clanfield, near Petersfield. They are kept busy in-between Pilates taking their 2 teenagers to and from school and sports activities locally. They also help the local Hounds for Heroes charity looking after occasional foster dogs. They love walking in nearby Queen Elizabeth Country Park and Butser Hill with views over the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. They enjoy visiting their beach hut on Hayling Island.
Gillian and john
Gillian and John have been teaching Body Control Pilates for 22 years to groups and private clients initially in the Windsor and Maidenhead area and their log cabin studio in Burnham, before they moved to the south coast. They have helped many clients have a positive impact on the lives highlighted in the testimonials they have received.
They moved to Chichester harbour on the South Coast in 2018 and teach group classes and 1:1 sessions via Zoom and in several venues in Hampshire and West Sussex (including Compton, Havant and Catherington). Classes are held most days of the week. Please contact them for class times and availability and see the current timetable attached.
Throughout Gillian’s classes she references tips and ideas on general health and well-being to incorporate into everyday life. She has also encouraged clients to adopt many of the great health messages presented by Dr Michael Mosley in the Just One Thing series. After his tragic death in June 2024, Gillian was honoured that her tribute was included within BBC news website:-
‘Over the last few years. I have incorporated Michael’s amazing health messages in a fun way into my classes including the value of regular squatting, balancing on one leg, and breathing exercises.
‘We were not so keen on taking cold showers, though an advocate of power naps and eating dark chocolate and drinking green tea!
‘We are committed to keeping his legacy going during our exercise classes and will continue to promote healthy living in everything we do.
‘His messages have brought us many laughs and smiles during our Pilates classes’.
Zoom pilates classes
Gillian and John provide a weekly schedule of zoom pilates most days from their home studio.
- Monday 9.45am, 11am (Gillian)
- Tuesday 9.45am and 7pm (Gillian)
- Thursday 11am (Gillian)
- Friday 9.30am (John)
Clients pay a monthly subscription to join 2 classes each week and access a range of recorded classes.
In November 2022 they celebrated delivering their 1000th zoom pilates class.
Equipment
Gillian and John use a variety of equipment including dyna bands, Pilates power rings (magic circles), spiky balls, wobble boards, foam rollers, hand weights, soft balls and large physio balls. Clients provide their own mats, soft balls, spiky balls, dyna bands and head cushions. Other equipment is provided and washed between clients.
For more information, please contact Gillian Burn on 07831 526531 or email gillianburn@healthcircles.co.uk
Strengthing and toning the body.
Available to clients who attend classes to complement home exercise programmes.
Class recordings - 'Pilates at home'
Clients also have access to a series of recordings (sound only and videos lasting from 15 to 55 mins) providing a selection of pilates exercises and classes for in-between practice.
The range of recordings include:-
- Arm exercises using weights and bands
- Standing exercises
- Gentle stretching
- Shoulder exercises using a foam roller or towel
- Leg exercises
- Full matwork classes
The recordings incorporate the use of a soft ball, band and hand weights. New classes are added regularly.
pilates for healthy backs - back4good 'healthy back' class by john spencer
Specially designed exercises to help with the prevention of low back pain
Gentle, balanced workouts to strengthen your core and keep your back flexible and stong.
The healthy back class is designed to keep backs healthy, whether you already have a back problem or want to prevent a problem occurring. The focus is on managing back conditions enabling individuals to create a more active lifestyle with a structured programme of focused activities.
One-to-one private and small group classes are available. All classes are held in West Sussex and Hampshire.
Men's pilates
John also runs specific classes for men within the above locations.
For more information, please contact John Spencer on 07970 598080 or email johnspencer@healthcircles.co.uk
Photography by Jasmine Aurora Photography
