The following are a selection of Testimonials I have received from clients, plus some Press Releases.

A sincere and huge thank you to the clients who have been happy for me to quote them below. I cannot say enough that the adage "the harder you work the luckier you get" applies to the below people. Their success is 99% down to them. The one percent is due to how they allow me to guide them. Rosemary

All names and addresses are with Rosemary and the clients have given their permission to be quoted.

'Rosemary, you came highly recommended to me but in fact your level of instruction and studio surpassed my wildest dreams. You are an excellent teacher and your studio is the most comfortable and well equipped I have ever been in. I have done pilates for a good seven years before finding you, and left in the advanced class. I also think your classes are extremely reasonably priced. I think we are very lucky to have you in Cheltenham'.
Lyn Hall

'Rosemary, you see the whole body.'
Mary Marston organiser and a past trustee of the National Institute of Conductive Education for people with Parkinsons.
A helpful P.S. from Rosemary. There is a local Conductive Education centre in Cheltenham for those with Parkinsons, and the H.Q. in Birmingham is on tel: 0121 449 1569. Mrs Mary Marston runs the Cheltenham branch. Conductive education classes are also given to folk with multiple sclerosis. Please phone the Birmingham phone number and not Rosemary. I hope this may help someone. Many thanks.

'Rosemary places her in-depth knowledge of the body to great use in making the pilates very specific to my body. I had done pilates with others before Rosemary and I intend to stay with Rosemary. I totally recommend her classes.'
Lady in her 40s

'I came to Rosemary with neck and shoulder problems. Her private lessons are blissful.'. Bronwen Thornton Very busy businesswoman and mum of one

'After a car accident I had treatment for neck pain but my problems continued. Finally, I asked my Lawyer if insurance could help me pay for pilates. Rosemary's help was amazing. For the first time I could turn my head properly.'
Lady in her early 50s.'

'I was doing my A-Levels (young man) when I was involved in a car accident which severely hurt my back.. I did physiotherapy until my Mum found Rosemary. My insurance company said they'd pay and the pilates was fantastic. I began university and went back to see Rosemary with my own money. My back is now better.'

'I came to Rosemary when I was being treated for upper-back pain at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. Rosemary tailored a programme specifically for me which hugely helped. I wish Rosemary's studio was closer to Birmingham.'

'I have a curvature of the spine and by the time I met Rosemary a bad desk and chair had accentuated my problem so much I could hardly walk. Pilates was difficult in the beginning because the pain was so bad I was afraid to move. But Rosemary's help was life-saving. My hobbies with my husband now include skiing , and salsa dancing. I have never felt fitter. Now my husband comes to the pilates classes as well.'

'I like to keep fit and slim but I felt my back was collapsing on me. I had seen many professionals as I have a mild scoliosis but it seemed to be getting worse. Rosemary has completely changed my life. She taught me how to get rid of the pain.'
Rebecca Flanagan

'I've done excellent very energetic pilates in the U.S.A. usually on machines. I came to Rosemary after extensive surgery for breast cancer which included a mastectomy, and part of a muscle moved from my back for a breast rebuild,. Rosemary worked me meticulously and gently and with a clear knowledge. She helped me to feel so much better. I am sure she protected my range of movement and stopped scar tissue problems. It was also good to work my tummy muscles deeply. I learned that gentle can get amazingly excellent results. I did finally get back to sweating on her machines too.'
American Mum.

'I tease Rosemary and call her my favourite slave driver. But the results are excellent and commented on by other professionals when they see more muscles in my body. Even last week when I was doing Scottish dancing an 80 year old lady who has watched me for years said she hardly recognized me because I was standing so straight! Fantastic!'
Lady in her 50's who had a major operation for scoliosis long before she met Rosemary. Nina Shields

'I'm an ex water-sports instructor turned office desk business man. I came to Rosemary for my shoulder problems and have stayed. My wife and I love our classes with Rosemary We belong to a gym where we could get pilates free, with young children we watch our money carefully but we prefer to keep coming to Rosemary's Pure Pilates Fitness Centre in Cheltenham because we feel we get excellent value for money.'

'My pregnancy and body were greatly helped by Rosemary's expertise. Another pregnant lady recommended Rosemary. I totally recommend her to people before and after their pregnancies. Rosemary has an in-depth knowledge of pregnancy and anatomy as well as great exercises to help the back, tum and the pelvic floor that do not damage the body and yet do it maximum good.'
Lady in her 30s

'I hurt my back at work which sent me for physiotherapy. I phoned the Physiotherapist and told him I was feeling worse on his exercises but he told me to just work harder at the exercises he had given me. My back became worse and worse. I finally rang Rosemary in desperation who invited me to visit her. She explained to me why she felt the exercises were just increasing my pain. Even by the end of the first session with Rosemary I felt better.'

'I always keep fit and slim, but even my G.P. was willing to get me an operation for my loose tummy. I saw Rosemary on a private basis and then joined her classes. I now am at my strongest and most toned ever in my tummy and back, and my aches and pains have gone. Aerobic exercise is now just a joy thanks to my pilates.'
Busy Mum of 3 in her early 30's.

'I play golf avidly all year round. I'm fit and in good shape but I have felt Rosemary's pilates greatly help me. The other day a lady crossed the golf car park to comment on how great I was looking. I told her how Rosemary's pilates has helped my body and my golf.'

'I'm a business man and my work means I have to do long hours in planes and business meetings. I heard about Rosemary from a neighbour. Her pilates lessons have got rid of my back pain. I feel great and am back to running which I love. I keep up my pilates classes now for the added benefits of general muscle fitness.'

'When I came to Rosemary , I told her my chronic back trouble has made me feel suicidal. I was also despairing because I had sought help from everyone and yet no-one's treatment really helped me. Rosemary was the first person to be very specific in her treatment. She explained exactly what she saw was the cause of my pain. Her help was amazing. My pain went and I'm stronger and more toned than ever and life is really good again.'

'I came to Rosemary for pilates classes, loathe to spend money on private pilates lessons. One day Rosemary took one look at me and sent me to a chiropractor as I had arrived in acute spasm. The chiropractor helped me, then I decided to investigate private lessons with Rosemary. I can't say enough how totally fantastic they were. We did machine and mat work to help me loosen my shoulders and re-train the relationship between my neck, shoulder blades and rib-cage.
Lady in her early 40's whose recovery from pain helped her decision to leave her high powered job and successfully fulfil her dream of returning to university and all that pouring over books!'

'Rosemary is a miracle worker. We used her machine for a foot problem that no one else has been able to help me with. Under Rosemary's guidance my foot is completely better.'

'Machine work doesn't flow as enjoyably as mat work classes but I can see it has its uses. My body has completely changed shape for the better from my matwork classes but now I am loving the challenge the machines give me.'

'I've done pilates with other teachers and I'm going to keep my mat in Rosemary's classes as long as she teaches.'

'My husband and I do pilates twice a week with Rosemary. In our sixties we have the energy we had in our 40's and more.'

'I am a nurse and Rosemary's classes helped me in a surprising way recently. The other day a patient was so terrified the doctor could not carry out the procedure. Rosemary's voice came into my head and in an effort to calm down the terrified patient I repeated the words Rosemary uses at the beginning of our classes before we get down to the harder part of the class. The patient totally relaxed and the next day he was so grateful that he sent me beautiful flowers.' Yvonne Laishle, Senior Nursing Sister, Cheltenham General.

'I'm a dentist and Rosemary's classes are wonderful. They de-stress me and they helped my back hugely.
Dentist gentleman early 40's, who came to have his back helped and stayed for the fitness benefits.' James Laishle

'I adore skiing and do it to a high standard. I believe that the pilates at The Pure Pilates Fitness Centre is an essential part of keeping fit.'

'With Rosemary's pilates you get results.'
Anaesthetist at Cheltenham General

'Rosemary's pilates classes are fabulous. Rosemary was recommended by a friend. Her classes are worth every penny.'
General Practitioner in Cheltenham

'I have patients who tell me they love the pilates at The Pure Pilates Fitness Centre. I'll be returning myself.'
Another General Practitioner in Cheltenham.

'I was very questioning when I first went to the Pure Pilates Fitness Centre as to why Rosemary did not charge 7 pounds for an hour like many others I see advertising. From the first class I have never looked back. They are fantastic. I have since tried out other pilates classes when on holiday. They are nothing like as brilliant as Rosemary's classes. Other people at The Pure Pilates Centre who have done pilates elsewhere have said just the same to me.'
Jaqueline Russel.

'I am 72 and if I could come every day for a lesson with Rosemary, I would.'

Phone Call to Rosemary from the church organizer where the above 72 year old lady goes once a week:-
'I'd like you to come and give a talk to our group of retired people to see if you can help them. I cannot believe the change in Anne. I have known her for 15 years and to see her walking, standing and moving so well and without her zimmer frame is remarkable.'

'I am now 74. I began pilates with Rosemary two years ago and my body has grown in balance, stamina, strength and suppleness. The classes are wonderful. I work as hard as fellow clients who are half my age and I now reach the end of each year stronger than the year before.'

'I brought my 9 year old son to see Rosemary. The change in him is fabulous. Rosemary's advice was totally practical and very sensitive about the way forward for him. If we had taken another professional's advice he would have become isolated from his friends. He continues to be an outstanding sportsman and because I have done pilates with Rosemary I am able to help my son.'

'I brought my 11 year old son to see Rosemary. His back is much better.'

'I brought my teenage daughter to see Rosemary. She took Rosemary's advice and her headaches have gone.'

'It's the Best thing I've done in years' (Cheltenham 2002)


You don't have to believe Cheltenham based Pilates Instructor Rosemary MacDonald about the benefits of this unique form of fitness that has attracted an army of followers since it was first introduced - just listen to her clients.

One such client is Louise Daker, 36, from Cheltenham, who said: 'Pilates has been the best thing I've done in years.'

She had been visiting an osteopath on and off for years to help with problems with her neck and back and discomfort caused by an old shoulder injury but decided to give Pilates a try after seeing classes advertised.

'I've been back to the osteopath only once since starting Pilates and that was to check they thought it was a good idea and they totally agreed. It has helped no end.'

One of the first things she learned was to adopt postures that helped protect her body. She was then taught exercises to strengthen and endorse these movements.

'Rosemary is a fabulous lady who is fun but informative. She takes a lot of care over all her students.'

Louise's husband Tim, 40, echoes her sentiments. He has wanted to try Pilates for some time because it seemed a more natural way of exercising and it is already reaping benefits.

'Considering I only practice once a week I have noticed a startling improvement in muscle tone. I really cannot recommend Rosemary highly enough. She is tremendously conscientious and has an infectious enthusiasm that keeps you going back. It's also good that the classes are refreshingly small and are held at her own studio rather than in some draughty school hall.'

Pilates encourages a flat stomach, toned arms and a great leg by teaching you to use your abdominal muscles well and by correcting postural faults. Not only does this help create a feeling of wellbeing but it can help people with a variety of back and spinal problems.

Rosemary, who has spent more than five years training with the Body Control Pilates Association, said 'It's not just for men and women with aches and pains who feel very delicate; it's for very fit people as well who want to stay fit.'

Another of Rosemary's pupils is mother to be Jane Stone, from Cheltenham. She started attending after encouraging her boyfriend Barney Hosey to go to improve his posture.

Jane was already practising yoga but decided to join in the Pilates classes because she was impressed by the range of the 'internal stomach exercises'.

'I believe Pilates is better than yoga because you work deeper with your muscles. Rosemary is a rather splendid teacher and I'd certainly like to continue after I give birth.'

And Barney? He says Pilates has helped him develop strength, suppleness, a healthy posture and a relaxed state of mind.

"The work I do is quite stressful and I am quite unsupple but I find Pilates helps take the stress away and stretches my muscles. It has been excellent."

Extract from Gloucestershire Magazine:

Pilates: 'An exercise for all'

Rosemary Mac Donald explains why pilates could be the answer to creating a new you for today ...

'Dear Rosemary,
I’m a 45 year-old man who sits in a car and does a desk job. I love sport and I have aches and pains to prove it. My wife and chiropractor say I should do pilates. Please settle the argument because I say pilates is for people who want to do nothing but lie on a mat, in between pointing their toes like a ballerina. I fear I’ll be bored'.
Signed, Mr Too Busy for Such Rubbish.

Hello. I sympathise with your perception, but thanks for making me laugh — you should have seen my male and female clients working out last night, they were anything but bored and in between the laughter there was a lot of groaning.

I'm told that the New Zealand All Blacks, currently the best rugby team in the world, do pilates and I heard Madonna say only this week that not yoga, but pilates and jogging/walking are what are keeping her so extremely fit.

But, if you do decide to do pilates you need to find a teacher who suits you as classes can vary greatly. I too recently read in a national newspaper how two women left their pilates class because their lessons consisted of total boredom, lying endlessly on a mat and not moving much. Like everything, the pilates class that is right for someone else might not be right for you.

I promise you, your wife and chiropractor are both right — those aches and pains are a clear red light, and the fact that you love sport and do an office job, as well as have to sit in a car, all tell me you most probably do need pilates because it sounds like your lifestyle has probably unbalanced your musculo—skeletal system.

Go and visit a few teachers until you find the one who makes you feel that through them you could get results. I can assure you that phenomenal pilates is out there, which you will love and hugely benefit from. The best classes are usually very relaxing, giving you time to have a good laugh, but are also all-consuming, mentally releasing, and above all get huge results in tightening your tummy, strengthening your shoulders, pelvis and thighs, with no unsightly bulging muscles — and if you can find a sport or exercise that challenges you to lengthen your hamstrings more than pilates, well, I’ll eat my mat.

A good pilates teacher knows how to get you to work your body on every plane and at a level that challenges you. But, do you really know what level you should be working at?

You might think you do, but wait and you will discover facts about your body that I bet you did not know. In the next few issues we will cover how and why the best pilates classes not only teach you huge amounts about your very own body, but make all human bodies feel younger, stronger, slimmer, fitter and more pain-free. Let me know how you get on. You’ll love it.

'Dear Rosemary,
I am a mother of one child and we are thinking of having a second. I’ve been advised to do pilates because I have non-stop backache but two things have put me off. Firstly, I've had a Caesarian and my friend was very disappointed to be told by her pilates teacher that as she has had a caesarian she can forget ever having a toned-up tum again.

Secondly, I heard an American lady teaching pilates on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and the woman being taught sounded like she was being tortured and sort of seemed to squeak with disbelief at how hard it was. Alarmingly, the teacher assured the listeners that we mustn't believe any instructor who tells us we can do pilates without pain and hope to gain.

Help, I’m not ready to join the army and do boot camp. I just want a life, minus pain'.
Mrs He-e-e-elp.

Hello, thank goodness you have written to me. I have trained in America where fantastic pilates is taught by the loveliest of people but very often they, like many English teachers, mainly teach the classic routines, which would definitely be wrong for you at this point.

You need a teacher with the right qualifications for you. Superb musculo skeletal training depends much more on the teacher having a deep knowledge of anatomy and physiology and a wider range of exercises than the classic pilates routines. Achieving “brawn” can be irrelevant and can actually damage you more. As for the teacher who told your friend she can forget getting any tone back in her tummy - what absolute total nonsense.

Pilates, taught well, will be magic for you, and the best time to get going is now before you get pregnant again so that you can achieve a pain-free body that is also as ready as possible for your pregnancy. ideally, because of your pain, you need to begin with at least one private lesson so that your needs can he carefully assessed. I haven't met you, but my experience tells me pilates is probably what you badly need. Make sure you learn mat-work because then you can do it on your own, and you can even teach your children. They will walk well and be more pain-free in life simply by watching how you improve your patterns of body movement thanks to your pilates.