Meet the team

Louise Arnold

Founder & Instructor

My love and enthusiasm for Pilates began in 2003 when my twins were 6 weeks old. I joined a weekly class and it gave me the strength, focus, body awareness and headspace that I needed at that time. Pilates became my passion, and I began teaching Matwork Pilates classes in 2007 after I qualified with the London-based Pilates Foundation. I continue to be amazed by what can be achieved with Pilates and have taken my training beyond my original course, regularly attending CPD courses.

Pilates has been my constant for the last 18 years, no matter what life has thrown at me, and during this time I have been blessed to meet the most wonderful clients, indeed, many are still training with me today! It's been an honour to listen to their stories and encourage them on their Pilates journey.

Creating a studio space with Lorraine is a dream come true! We are so excited to be able to share our love of Pilates with you and to give you new challenges beyond the mat classes.

In my spare time I love spending quality time with my family and friends and walking the dogs. I love live music, good food and wine, although not necessarily in that order! But it's not all go: tending my house plants and sitting down with a good book gives me some much-needed down time. I am really looking forward to meeting you, supporting you on your Pilates journey and hearing your stories.

• Pilates Foundation Matwork (Pre/Post Natal, Older Adult)
• APPI Matwork
• APPI Reformer
• PFilates, Pelvic Floor (Dr Bruce Crawford)
• Pelvic Core Restore (Jenny Burrell)

Lorraine Blackall

Founder & Instructor

I found myself immersed in the fitness industry over 30 yrs ago, when 'Step' was the thing! But it's been a while since I wore hot pants and strappy thong leotards to train! I enjoy team sports and the outdoors: horse riding, walking my dogs, mountain biking, tennis and the occasional run. But, like most people, I need motivation to do what some people call the 'boring stuff' so I became an instructor.

Being of this mindset I try to make my sessions fun & engaging. For me, not being able to trek the hills or see nature, move freely and independently with strength is what drives me, it's more of a way of life, enjoying movement and challenging the body & mind rather than just a workout. I love to share my passion and knowledge to help others achieve their goals too.

I have a particular interest in horse riders and improving rider stability & flexibility; many riders have incurred injuries along the way, and as with many sports the industry has evolved from just attending the local gymkhana. The partnership with your horse is linked by the messages and signals between the two bodies, working to redress any imbalances in you will help with symmetry with your horse.

Having taught mat Pilates for 10 yrs+, I'm very excited to have joined forces with Louise Arnold in 2020 during the pandemic to make plans to open our Reformer Studio in Lamport. I can't wait to get you all started on a whole new journey of exercise!

• APPI Matwork
• APPI Reformer
• TRX
• Be Activated Practitioner
• Equine Pilates

Annabelle Forde

Instructor

Annabelle qualified in 2000 as a Pilates Foundation comprehensive mat and equipment teacher. In 2002 she further qualified as a Gyrotonic instructor and has continued to update her training as this technique evolves. For Annabelle, teaching Pilates is all about communicating a technique which allows you to move with confidence, supporting musculoskeletal health so you can appreciate the joy of moving freely. A combination which has kept her faithful to this technique for over 30 years.

• Pilates Foundation, Mat & Equipment
• Gyrotonic Instructor

Paula Edmonds

Instructor

In a nutshell I'm happily in my middle years, a mum of two teenagers and a dog walker who enjoys the outdoors, gardening, art & craft, and especially keeping fit and active. I've been teaching Pilates since qualifying in 2001 with Stott and Body Control Pilates for matwork, and Stott and MBodies for studio equipment, and I'm also a sports massage therapist. In recent years my focus has turned to helping women who, like me, have found the menopause a difficult time, whether through fatigue, sore joints or low motivation. I try to make my classes and 1:1's accessible but challenging, and I look forward to working with you.

• Stott Pilates, Matwork
• Body Control Pilates, Matwork
• Stott & MBodies, Studio Equipment
• Sports Massage Therapist

Vicky Ulliot-Rose

Instructor

Vicky practised Pilates on and off for 20 years, but took it more seriously after a 2015 diagnosis of four prolapsed discs in her lumbar spine. After months of physio and prescribed drugs, her consultant recommended regular Pilates classes, and it completely changed her life: no more severe pain, and no more drugs. In 2018 she trained as a Pilates instructor to pass on her passion to others. When she's not teaching you'll find her walking her cocker spaniel Fergus, riding her horse Max around the countryside, or competing in dressage.

• Reformer Pilates
• Sports Massage
• Equipilates Biomechanics
• Franklin Method, Lower Back Fascia
• Orthopaedic Conditions
• Menopause Awareness · Women's Health

Dianne Hammond

Instructor

Growing up, sport was a major part of my life, I played field hockey at the highest club level and represented my province. I turned to Pilates in 2003 to strengthen and rehabilitate key areas of my body. Later, a job requiring extensive travel meant I could no longer train consistently and many of my old injuries resurfaced, so on my practitioner's advice I decided to take control of my body again, and to help others do the same. My classes offer a dynamic, full-body workout focused on stability and strength through coordinated movement, encouraging the body to find its balance between strength and flexibility.

Helen Truman

Classical Instructor

I've always been fascinated by the human body and the amazing things it has the potential to do. I trained with Holly Murray at Pi Pilates in London, a second-generation classical teacher trained by Romana Kryzanowska, who studied with Joseph Pilates. My training involved a 600-hour apprenticeship to learn the exercises and their order across the many pieces of apparatus, with regular practical assessment. I'm trained to work on all aspects of the apparatus Joseph Pilates designed.

• Classical Pilates, 600-hour apprenticeship
• Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair
• Spine Corrector, Small & Ladder Barrel
• Pedi Pole

Verity Laura

Instructor

Hiya, I'm Verity! I trained at vocational ballet school from 11–19 and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance. I had my fair share of injuries and was sent to extra Pilates classes to build up my strength, and that's where I found my love for Pilates. In my classes you'll find a big focus on your trunk, glutes, strengthening, stretching and lots of laughs. I'm a big believer in a "give it a go" attitude, you never know, you might surprise yourself!

• Reformer & Mat Pilates
• Barre Fitness
• Adult Ballet
• BA (Hons) Professional Dance & Performance