Pilates North East

About our Studio

Here you see our Studio in Chester-Le-Street

Our Studio in Chester-Le-Street

Courses, Bookings & Payments.

Whatever your age, level of fitness or amount of Pilates experience you have had, there is a course to suit you. We offer Basic Principle & Foundation Workshops which give clients an excellent grounding and then progress to teach the building blocks to each exercise.
We also offer Back Care courses. This specialist class is for clients with issues and weaknesses who require modifications, but the aims are the same to create optimal musculoskeletal performance strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Course fees are to be booked and paid in advance by cheque or cash. Apologies, we have no card facilities.

Our courses are held over 8 weeks, one hour session per week. Of course you can book as many as required. The cost of the course is £60.00.

Course fees are not refundable. However discretion is used when appropriate.

Please note: 2 catch ups per 8 week course, use catch up form where possible, 24 hrs notice must be given for cancellations otherwise session is forfeited and catch ups cannot be re-scheduled, if you fail to attend unfortunately they are lost.

It is also very important to be punctual for your session. It distracts other class participants when someone arrives late.

Reception area

Additional information.

If there are extreme weather conditions please refer to the website or call if to see if your session is cancelled.

Pilates is practised in clothing that allows the body to move freely without any restrictions. Bare feet or socks are preferred.

Our studio is well equipped but for personal hygiene we encourage you to bring your own mat, a hand towel or pillow for alignment purposes.

Carol and Gillian

Gillian Bennison Souri

Co owner of Pilates North East. I started teaching at a very young age and immediately knew that I had found my vocation. Over the years I have taught Gymnastics, Acro, and general fitness. I owned my own studio in Crete for 10 years.

On return to England 13 years ago I attained a teaching qualification and started to lecture for Gateshead College in the Community. In April 2002 I was appointed Team Leader of Health and Fitness in the Community. I managed a team of seven teachers.

I qualified with the much respected Michael King and ‘Stott’ who are both worldwide recognized Pilates trainers. In our studio we specialize in rehabilitation, postural analysis, spinal health and individual programs. This work has profound results and is carried out on either the mat or using specialized equipment. The studio runs classes for Beginners – Athletes. I am always seeking to improve my knowledge and attend seminars and workshops regularly.

For the past 5 years I have been invited to teach workshops at www.yogaplus.co.uk in Crete where Radha appreciates that the Pilates compliments the Astanga Yoga. Meeting the needs of the individual are very important to me and quality is always in the forefront of my mind. I am passionate about my subject and it will be a pleasure to share that with you.

Carol Matthewson

Co owner of Pilates North East. I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed working extensively within the Health & Fitness environment for most of my career, allowing me to gain a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Past experience includes teaching all aspects of fitness, Health club Management & Consultancy, Reebok Marketing & National Step Reebok Specialist. Lecturing & Teacher Trainer.

Qualifying in Body / Sports Massage which proves instrumental when teaching Pilates. Also enjoying many years work within Osteopathic, Chiropractic & Physiotherapy clinics, the rewards and knowledge I attained during this period was invaluable. To the present day links with these professionals are very strong.

For the past 10 years I have focused on teaching Pilates studying and qualifying with various training providers, including the International Stott Pilates who are respected by fitness professionals worldwide. Being one of the few specialist teachers in the North East I continually update with new research and regularly attend professional development training courses and seminars.

Currently co- owning Pilates North East Mind & Body Studio my passion for Pilates and the belief that every client is individual enables me to teach and share the benefits with clients. Educating, encouraging and supporting them to achieve their goals by practising safely & effectively and importantly “enjoying” doing so.

The results give me great pleasure, rewards and immense satisfaction.

Healthy & Happy Practise to all. Carol

Debbie Hannant

Since the fine age of 8 until I was 21, I trained in all styles of Dance. A hobby that became a real passion and very much part of my life!

I then went onto taking part in lots of Aerobic and fitness classes, which I enjoyed so much that I decided to qualify to teach. After qualifying and teaching for a number of health clubs in the North East I got the travel bug and went onto work for Crystal Cruise Lines for 2 years. This enabled me to teach a wide variety of classes to different people from other parts of the world, more so Americans. This is where I first heard of Pilates! I did my first training session at a Pilates studio in Seattle and totally connected with it due to my strong dance background.

On returning home I gained my Pilates qualifications and also started to practice Yoga. After practising Yoga for a year I was accepted onto the Foundation course with the British Wheel of Yoga.

Recently I have been practising Ashtanga yoga and doing regular workshops to keep me informed, as well as being Mum to my 2 lovely children.