About Us
Pilates-et-al is a small experienced team of health professionals passionate about how Pilates and appropriate physical activity can enhance individual lives.
Keen to remove the intimidation & sometimes ineffectiveness of working with large groups, Pilates-et-al have developed a unique Pilates Programme which is delivered through their activity holiday, retreat, short break and specialist day workshop schedule, working only with individuals and small groups.
Our vision is for individuals to escape from their usual routine & experience a quality, bespoke service. Our specialist workshops demonstrate how this 'intelligent exercise' can improve your general well being & drastically enhance your quality of life. Allowing yourself time to participate in one of our programmes facilitates a more rapid progression of this invaluable skill, which can then be adapted, within your lifestyle, to suit your individual needs - see What is Pilates? page.
At Pilates-et-al we aim to inspire & motivate you by visiting inimitable places chosen for their distinctive location, superior accommodation & hospitality. By exploring other activity based pursuits or simply relaxing by taking time out, we endeavour to give you a complete & personal experience.
Stuart Jenkins has a comprehensive people & training background gained whilst serving as an Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps. His practical ability to apply Pilates to normal everyday tasks, complemented by his fun & down to earth teaching style, enables the participant to easily understand & integrate Pilates techniques into their lifestyle. As a qualified Skiing Instructor, Mountain Expedition Leader & RYA Yacht Master Instructor (www.redmangosailing.co.uk), he is committed to using Pilates to improve both posture & functional performance.
Su Dodd has worked extensively in Health Promotion, Sports Science & Corporate Fitness. Her early training in dance & gymnastics nurtured a lifelong passion in physical activity, how it improves individual health & enhances well being. Teacher trained, lecturing in Health Education, Anatomy & Exercise Physiology, Su went on to manage her own private health club. Perceptive to the discerning clients' needs & how to realistically achieve their goals she co-founded Studio Ilkley, a Pilates centre specialising in small group work & individual coaching. With precision teaching, Su's focus is exacting, inspiring clients to establish long term activity habits.
'Su and Stuart with Jenny'
"I started Pilates with Su and Stu because of lower back pain and a desire to increase my general fitness and well-being. Their classes were always extremely well taught and fun with attention to detail of each individual, which was as beneficial as having a 1:1 session. One year later, I was toned, noticeably fitter, my backache had gone and I have a great posture! Thank you Stu and Su"
Cheryl Donnison - Managing Director Lumina Coaching
"I had sufferred (and my wife was fed up of me complaining) with intermittent back pain for over 5 years. I attended a day workshop (my wife bought me as a present!) with Pilates-et-al last summer. I was amazed (when shown) how my poor posture had changed the way I looked and had contributed towards my back pain. Pilates-et-al gave me some simple to perform, but effective exercises, that I could complete in minutes and they taught me how to recognise and rectify my postural problems / habits. Within 4 weeks my back pain had subsided and my wife has been impressed because I now hold myself properly and look 2 inches taller - she has been less impressed however with my return to the golf course!!
David Allan - Company Finance Executive
"The most valuable aspect from Su and Stuart's classes was the individual attention they are able to provide and their professionalism. They always work in small groups and after demonstrating and explaining a particular exercise they would move among the students checking posture and providing advice to each person and simultaneously being able to keep the class moving on as a group. You never felt 'lost' in their classes. Their enthusiasm and commitment towards own development and learning meant that they where always able to keep the class material fresh and new and had a range of alternative exercises available for individuals with particular needs (bad knees, etc.) while at the same time pushing us all to attempt more demanding routines as we progressed. No class ever felt stale or boring! They where always happy to discuss and expand on how to do a particular exercise and carefully listen to how we felt during the exercise. All these factors combined with their excellent sense of humour made all their classes extremely worthwhile and enjoyable! "
Dr Marina Bloj - Lecturer in Optometry
"When my physiotherapist suggested Pilates as the next stage of my rehabilitation from recurring back pain, i joined the Ilkley Studio. I was given an initial assessment and commenced a weekly class. Su and Stu's friendly, professional yet firm attitude motivated me to increase my attendance to twice weekly. I noticed within a week or two that the pain in my back had diminished and I was able to touch my toes again. I was soon discharged from my physiotherapy sessions. So as well as being pain free, supple and more energetic I had made a life time commitment to Pilates with Su and Stu "
Paula Usher - Actively Retired - Yorkshire 2003
"Pilates has changed my attitude to exercise; every session leaves me relaxed, energized and with a general feeling of wellbeing, plus the health benefits are noticeable immediately. I've kissed goodbye to back pain and stiff shoulders! I would recommend Pilates to anyone and everyone. Thanks Su and Stuart at Pilates-et-al, you have introduced me to the many benefits of practicing Pilates, and your expert help and tuition have made this a totally enjoyable experience"
Sarah Maybury - Leeds - 2004
