our team

Mary graduated as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1997 and started her career working within the NHS developing skills in areas such as orthopaedics, respiratory, amputees & neurology before specialising as a senior clinician in muscular skeletal outpatients and women’s health. During this time she treated a vast array of muscular skeletal symptoms and worked covering all areas of obstetric and gynaecological care within a hospital and GP setting.

In the private sector she has practiced at the Sussex Centre for Sports Medicine, Sportswise, often working with professional athletes as part of their rehabilitation programme.  Mary has also lectured for Physiotherapists and Pilates instructors for organisations such as the Chartered society of Physiotherapy, the University of Brighton and the Pilates Foundation UK.

In 1998 Mary started her pilates training with the DMA clinical pilates, Australia. Then continued to train with Stott pilates, Canada as well as completing a years equipment based certification course with the pilates  foundation UK.

In 2009, Mary also devised the exercise programme for the UKs first pilates DVD for riders ‘Pilates for Riders’.

KariAnne graduated from the University of Northumberland as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2001. Prior to that she studied sports science and philosophy at the University in Agder, Norway. During her time as a physiotherapy student she was lucky enough to spend a summer working alongside premier league football Physiotherapists at West Ham United, as well as gaining experience with the Great Britain Para Olympic cycling Team.

She started her career within the NHS working in all areas of physiotherapy, but predominantly working in the area of musculoskeletal outpatient. She then went on to work in the private sector in Norway before going on to work in the community covering paediatrics, orthopaedics and neurological rehabilitation.

KariAnne's passion has always been exercise and health and to combine training with more conventional physiotherapy techniques. She completed the first stage of her Pilates training in April 2010 and now works as a physiotherapist using Pilates as a treatment tool both individually and in a class environment.

Sam graduated as a Physiotherapist from Brighton University in 1998. After graduating Sam worked at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital  (RNOH) in Middlesex. There she gained a wealth of experience in assessing and managing a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

Sam left the RNOH in 2006 to relocate to Eastbourne and has since combined working within the NHS and in the private sector.

Always having a professional interest in restoring normal movement and muscle imbalance Sam went on to study modified pilates with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) and continues to progress these skills.

Sam uses modified pilates principles and techniques to compliment her assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions.

Wendy was an experienced  class teacher for ten years at St. Andrew's Prep school. After leaving in 2002, she took up Pilates to mobilise and relieve pain from an old shoulder injury. She realised that regular Pilates produced many positive results, improving posture, streamlining and strengthening her whole body. This began her passion for Pilates.

Wendy had an extended training in Pilates Matwork, based on the Classical series of exercises by Paul Anthony Mclinden, at OceanWave Pilates Studio in Hove (2005). She returned to Paul to complete a rigorous  Equipment and Studio training (2009).

Wendy teaches both matwork classes  and studio sessions using clear instructions, demonstrations and reinforced by a guiding hand so that clients reach their potential. She encourages feedback and enjoys creating a stimulating environment which is all delivered with a sense of fun.

Don has 30 years experience in health and fitness and holds a degree in Exercise Science from Brighton University. He is also a highly respected Karate teacher and owns the Karate Academy Dojo in Eastbourne, as well as being an international lecturer in Martial Arts.

He came to Pilates following a disc prolapse in 2000 and used the method to rehabilitate himself back to health to enable him to continue his sport. He is therefore very passionate about the benefits of Clinical Pilates.

He is training along side Mary Thornton at the studio as well as studying Clinical Pilates with the APPI, London.