Before retirement, I worked for many years as a nurse in both the Army and the NHS. These days, life is filled with activities I love: travelling, exploring places of interest, theatre visits, gardening, baking, walking, cold water swimming and researching family history. Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with family and friends.

However, a few years ago, persistent low back pain and sciatica were making it increasingly difficult to enjoy life to the full.

Retirement has meant embracing a more active lifestyle and making the most of everything Cornwall has to offer.

Nature photography, wildflower painting, gardening, coastal walks and spending time outdoors have all become regular parts of life. With more freedom to enjoy these activities, maintaining strength, mobility and flexibility has become increasingly important.

That's what led me to OsteoPilates Cornwall.

As I've moved through my sixties, I've become increasingly aware of changes in my body.

Like many people, I noticed I was feeling stiffer, achier and less flexible than I used to be. Everyday movements weren't quite as easy, and I found myself looking for a form of exercise that could help me maintain mobility and keep me moving well for years to come.

That's what initially led me to OsteoPilates Cornwall.

Earlier in life, I regularly participated in high-intensity exercise and enjoyed being physically active. However, over time, work became increasingly demanding and eventually arthritis and musculoskeletal problems began to limit the activities I could comfortably do.

I knew I needed to find a form of exercise that would support my body rather than aggravate it.

When I retired and moved to Cornwall, I was looking forward to enjoying more time with family, friends and my growing role as a busy nanny.

Having previously worked as an Early Years Manager, I have always enjoyed keeping active and involved in my community. These days, life is filled with family time, choir rehearsals, reading, Pilates classes and making the most of everything Cornwall has to offer.

However, before discovering OsteoPilates Cornwall, I had started to notice some unwelcome changes.

When I moved to Cornwall in November 2024, I was keen to continue my Pilates journey. I had recently started attending a beginners Pilates class and was enjoying learning something new, so I booked a couple of one-to-one sessions with Heather at OsteoPilates Cornwall to build on that foundation.

Unfortunately, life had other plans.

Discover how balance training improves nervous system control, muscle coordination, injury prevention, and daily function for all ages.

Discover why balance training is essential for daily movement, injury prevention, rehab, and performance. Learn how Pilates and exercise improve it.

Learn how Pilates can support back pain management, improve core stability and posture, and when it is most effective as part of rehab.

Stumble less, move better, recover faster. Proprioception – your body’s “hidden sense” – is key to confident movement. Learn why and how to train it.

Discover why training the Mind–Body connection helps with injury prevention, recovery, and movement therapy in Pilates, osteopathy, and rehab.

Learn what the mind–body connection is and how Pilates, Osteopathy, and Exercise Rehab use it to improve movement, injury recovery, and overall wellbeing.

Discover how analogies in Clinical Pilates and Exercise Rehab boost the mind–body connection, muscle activation, and learning during movement.

If you’ve ever worked with me as your Osteopath, Pilates Teacher, or within an Exercise Rehabilitation session, you’ve probably noticed I ask a lot of questions:

“Where are you feeling that?”
“How does that movement feel today?”
“Can you sense which muscles are working?”

I promise, I’m not being nosy – there’s a good reason.

Classes with OsteoPilates Cornwall are informative, inclusive, light-hearted and aimed to encourage and empower clients. Heather focuses on using multiple techniques to suit a range of learners – demonstration, verbal cues, tactile (hands-on) help, verbal feedback/conversation, and rarely uses “left” and “right” as instructions as it she often gets the two the wrong way around! If you’re totally new to OsteoPilates Cornwall, here’s a run down of what to expect in your classes.

Attending your first Pilates class, joining a new group, or trying out a new form of exercise is a big step! Taking that first step into a new environment can be a nerve-racking experience for some. However, pre-class nervousness is more common than you may think – so you’re not alone!

Rewind back to January 2022, a snap decision was made due to an Instagram post that spurred me to message an old friend about the incredible opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka as an Osteopath for an Ultra-Marathon. It was a firm pressing of the “f*ck it” button - a decision I will not regret.

Pilates can have an impact on your body IF undertaken on a regular basis alongside other forms of exercise and with inclusion of a healthy, nutritious diet, and active lifestyle. Let’s have a look at the idea of “The Pilates Body”.

Osteoporosis affects over 3 million people in the UK and increases the risk of fractures occurring; most commonly in the wrist, hip and vertebra (spinal bones).

Maximising bone strength when you’re younger will leave you in a better position to withstand natural bone loss that occurs normally as we age. Exercise, when osteoporosis or osteopenia is diagnosed is essential in the management of the condition.

Have you been told before that you have “osteoarthritis”, “degenerative joints” or “wear and tear”? Did you know that Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis? Estimates suggest that up to 8.5 million people in the UK are affected by joint pain that may be attributed to osteoarthritis (NICE, 2007). Have you had the cycle of “I’ve got pain so I can’t exercise” into “when I exercise, I have pain”? If yes, this blog may be for you.