PROFILE

Geraldine Brennan
Level 4 student

I started Pilates before I knew I needed it, in my 30s. I had a full-time desk-bound job in journalism, some of my colleagues were suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury and the company provided subsidised yoga and Pilates classes. One colleague and friend (who later gave birth within hours of a Pilates class, but that's another story) was a student of Chris's and brought in another student to teach classes in our boardroom. This seems unbelievably forward-thinking to me now and it was certainly too good to last long, but I then found my way to the West Street classes back in 1992 and have never looked back. I am not addicted to going to the gym and Pilates is the only form of exercise I have sustained for 20 years because it makes intellectual as well as physical sense to me.

Pilates certainly did the job my employers expected it to do: I have never suffered the ill effects that my friends have suffered from sedentary jobs and slaving over computers. Also, when I do various other movement, dance and drama classes (often alongside younger and more aerobically fit students) I realise that I have comparatively good flexibility as well as sound posture and alignment. I am now training as an actress and need more physical stamina at a time when there seems to be less on tap, and Pilates is there for me.

PBA has also provided many happy social experiences and holidays, thanks to Chris's enthusiasm for bringing us all together in sun, rain and round the table as we shout "navel to spine". Long may it continue!