Our Teachers

All our teachers are fully qualified and certified. They understand that no two bodies are alike and will work with you to ensure you progress at the right pace.

Paul Banfield

Studio Director/Founder

Paul is a comprehensively qualified Pilates, teacher, with Body Control Pilates, he has specialist training in, Mat work, the reformer, Level 4 Low Back Pain and Pilates for Pre and Post-Natal, in addition to this Paul holds the Polestar Pilates Studio training qualification.

With 20 years of teaching experience Paul has accumulated a considerable amount knowledge allowing him to help a variety of different clientele with their particular Pilates needs, maintenance for the mature, rehabilitation from injuries or surgery, Pilates as a part of a more comprehensive fitness program for competitive athletes, and for those clients who just want to feel good about their all round health and fitness needs.

He has been instrumental in the training of a number of other Pilates teachers both near and far in his role as a supervising teacher for Body Control Association.

He has also been invited to present and teach workshops for our blue light service workers and at summer wellness festivals, promoting Pilates as a safe, suitable for all, exercise choice.

Paul has achieved qualification in Sports Therapy, with a strong background in contact sports, including Judo and Rugby and has been involved in coaching at both senior and junior levels. He has used Pilates to maintain his own fitness level and more importantly it has helped him to prevent injuries allowing him to continue to play rugby for over 20 years.

Amanda James

Amanda has been teaching with us for over 15 years and teaching Pilates since 2002. She holds both Body Control and Polestar teaching qualifications, with a strong background in the fitness industry in her earlier years. She then moved into the field of sports injuries and their rehabilitation treatment programs, qualifying with the English football association, which, over time, led her into working within the NHS, assisting with the rehabilitation of orthopaedic patients.

With such a strong and varied career path in fitness and rehabilitation, it has helped Amanda to become a highly competent Pilates teacher.

Amanda personally experienced the benefits of regularly practicing Pilates, to help her heal from a disc prolapse in 1993. The Pilates method not only helped her to recover but inspired her to make teaching Pilates her future career choice.

Amanda also has a keen interest in the area of the mind and body working together through mindfulness, she is qualified to teach Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction courses.

Helen Venn

Helen is a qualified Pilates Matwork teacher and has been with the studio for a couple of years now during which time she has furthered her training with Body Control Pilates.

As a trained contemporary dancer, with a BA in Dance Studies, Helen has used Pilates to support her dance practice and maintain optimal health more generally. Having experienced the benefits of Pilates herself, Helen chose to train as a Pilates teacher to share her passion and knowledge with others.

As well as her work with Pure Pilates, Helen also works as a freelance Community Dance Artist.

Annabelle Rose

Annabelle is our newest member of the teaching team, She is a qualified mat work teacher and currently enjoys teaching both studio and Reformer classes.

Also a trained dancer she has recognised the benefits of Pilates for her own body and enjoys sharing that knowledge with others.

Kathryn Mcleod - Administration

Kathryn has been working for the studio for many years and provides administration support to the studio, often working away behind the scenes.

She is always happy to answer any questions that you may have and will also steer you in the right direction, whether you are a new or existing client in need of assistance