A Little Bit About Us!

Zilla Baker, Co-Founder, is a 37 year old mother of one and REPS/CYQ Level 3 Pilates Instructor.

"I was lucky enough to always have experience of Pilates through the sports that I took part in as a child. It complemented the competitive gymnastics and athletics I did back then and now with the running that I still do and the classical singing and performing arts I've been doing since a teenager.

The turning point for me however was after pregnancy, during which my son managed to sit with his feet jammed in to my ribs, the pressure forcing one of my vertebrae to rotate, causing me to be signed off work two months early!

Pilates rebuilt me, realigned me and brought me back to full physical health, so having seen the benefits through many physical challenges placed on my body, I'm truly passionate that it really should be practised by everyone to maximise efficient use of the musculoskeletal system.

I trained with the Pilates Institute for my Matwork and Stott Pilates for Reformer and have worked with clients through pregnancy, post-natally, those with spondylosis, through cancer treatment and post-operative rehabilitation, scoliosis, depression and post-trauma."

Jess Cooney, Co-Founder, is also a REPS/CYQ Level 3 Pilates Instructor.

"I happened upon Pilates after reactive arthritis left me with damage to all my major joints. Even after the arthritis had been sorted, I was left with a pronounced limp and a limited range of movement. I went to a class by chance one day, and couldn't believe how much easier movement was after just one session....Pilates quickly became an addiction, and in a short space of time my limp was totally gone! 

Through my personal experience I know how Pilates can totally change your body - on both a functional and an aesthetic level (I never thought I could have a waist!). I teach to all levels, on the mat and on the Reformers, and also offer private sessions for those needing or wanting a more personalised session. 
Through my wide range of clients, from gym bunnies through to those with cronic illness, I have seen the difference it can make to everyone, helping to build healthy bodies and encourage correct movement and posture in your day to day activities. In the words of the man himself, "after 10 sessions you will feel a difference, twenty sessions see a difference, and after 30 sessions you will have a whole new body"


A Little Bit About The Rest Of The Team!

Rebecca Butler, A Pilates Institute Matwork Instructor, training with Body Control in Reformer, Summer 2012.

Rebecca became interested in Pilates 7 years ago and decided that she wanted to undergo a career change and become a Pilates Instructor. She trained with the Pilates Institute under Michael King and gained her CYQ REPS Level 3 Matwork qualification. She's never looked back and thoroughly enjoys her career. Rebecca has a young son, so life is pretty busy along with the imminent start to her Reformer training with Body Control.

Jess Curnier, a Body Control Matwork Instructor.

Jessica came to practise Pilates as a result of an injury to her lower back, which she sustained during the third year of her BA Hons degree in Dance Studies with Biology. As an active young lady, who had danced from a young age, Jessica’s injury meant that she had to completely modify her lifestyle. However, as a result of strengthening her core through Pilates over the last two and a half years, Jessica has slowly but surely managed to resume a more dynamic lifestyle, which balances a full time job with a large number of her sporting/dancing passions including swimming and salsa.

Jessica’s desire to help others through rehabilitation to overcome injury/pain has spurred her on to qualify as a Body Control Pilates Instructor. Pilates has not only significantly reduced Jessica’s back pain, by helping her better manage her injury, but it has also increased her flexibility, muscle tone, posture and general state of wellbeing. She is consequently a firm believer in the benefits of Pilates, confident that it can positively impact others, in the same way as her, and even prevent an unnecessary operation.

Jessica is young, friendly, bubbly and full of life. As a result of her Dance degree from Roehampton University, she has a solid understanding of anatomy and physiology, the body in movement and the requirements for optimal performance. This proves to be an asset to her teaching and helps to make her classes accessible, interactive and fun. Above all Jessica has a desire to encourage and help her clients achieve their personal goal in health and physical fitness through Pilates.


Erica Malcolmson, a Pilates Institute and Pilates Training Solutions qualified Matwork and Reformer Instructor - profile to follow.


Jenny Power, a Stott Pilates Certified Matwork, Reformer and Barrels Instructor - profile to follow.


Becky Tovey, a Pilates Institute qualified Matwork Instructor - profile to follow.