"Hocking has an eagle eye for exactitude in movement and takes matwork exercises into a different league... a brilliant teacher." (Evening Standard, April 2008)

PBBA is recruiting now for inaugural students for the Wednesday evening basic classes (levels 1 and 2) at 6pm and 7pm, The Urdang Academy, The Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Ave., EC1 (Studio 5). With our graded system you may start immediately and move to the next level when you are ready. Our students study at five levels. Please see Joining

Accessibility – evening classes, Saturday classes and lunchtime classes in Central London venues

Affordability – real Pilates at a price you can afford. £100 for ten classes at levels 2 to 5. Cost for level I can be less. You might find our occasional special offers helpful. See Members Area for term dates

Flexibility – swap between classes of your level

The Teacher
Chris Hocking is consistently rated as one of London's finest exponents of the Pilates' technique: "a meticulous, structured approach" Evening Standard, April 2008

Her school, PBBA, is one of the best places to learn Pilates matwork: 'Top Five' in Time Out magazine

"I'm new to Pilates but already feel the benefit. I've taken sample classes before but never with Chris' level of instruction and attention to detail" Karen Kalaris

"Chris asks you do things that seem might impossible but with her sympathetic direction are amazingly feasible. My posture has improved considerably. I have no hesitation in endorsing Chris as a great instructor and I find her classes very worthwhile as a Pilates beginner." Jehanne Wake

Download details of Chris' background here or more class reviews here.

For enlightened thoughts on how:
-to keep fit in everyday life, download Something to Share February 2009
-Pilates can help you manage stress, download Something to Share April 2008.

We also run
Saturday afternoons: Classical Matwork Specials £15 - for professional dancers and Pilates teachers wishing to fine tune and practice the tough stuff. Classes held on the first or second Saturday of the month, 4.00pm - 5.45pm. For dates, see Holidays and Events

Lunchtime classes Shared privates, 5 or 6 like-minded people at £150 for 10 classes. £20 taster. West London venues, privately run studios and spaces.

We have also created aids to learning
The PBBA booklet, a guide to home practice, created exclusively for PBBA students and consequently giving exactly the learning support required. £17.50, available in class.

Teachers' Notes on Technique, covering many essential exercises and the techniques involved. Please give £10, plus a stamped (250g) addressed envelope (A4) to Chris in class.

The PBBA DVD, showing Chris teaching to a group of experienced students, another aid to home practice (levels 2 and above), or a good way to find out if this is the type of class you'd like to join. £17.50, see Members Area for details.

We also offer progression
with our classes carefully graded at five distinct levels. This is real Pilates in accordance with Joseph Pilates’ original system. Start with a foundation and through understanding build a strong, agile body and fine technique. The most important thing is that students practice `total body work’ something that requires concentration, training and knowledge. As Joseph Pilates was so fond of quoting:
“It is the mind itself that shapes the body.” 
Friedrich von Schiller, November 1759-May 1805, poet and philosopher of ethics and aesthetics.

For visiting Pilates teachers, professional dancers and Pilates devotees, please see Advanced training and access to PBBA for visiting Pilates devotees