A sanctuary from violence

By BARBARA WARD

Four years touring the country as a professional clown has linked very nicely with Sharon Gatherer’s work as an exercise instructor.

She teaches Pilates, and this provides the flexibility and fitness needed for such a physical job as clowning.

It also fits in well when Sharon is called to audition for acting work in the theatre and television.

Sharon has been teaching the exercise system for four years. She trained with the Pilates Institute in London.

She is also a member of the British Wheel Of Yoga and teaches that, too.

She says the two complement each other. Pilates helps to strengthen the core muscles in the body and yoga helps with the mind.

Sharon explains that Pilates exercises work on the core muscles of the body — around the abdomen and pelvic floor — while other exercises often focus on the outside muscles.

She says: “If your core muscles are not stabilised the outside muscles do more work and wear out quicker, leading to injury, most commonly of the lower back, shoulder, neck and knees.

“Doing Pilates makes you generally more body aware.”

Each exercise is slow, controlled and precise and most are done on mats on the floor.

Says Sharon: “The exercises are gentle, but they are not easy.

“It is a gradual strengthening, not an instant cure.

“Because it’s slow there is time to build strength. It takes two the three months to to notice significant differences.

“Your posture will improve and although you won’t lose weight, your shape will change.

“You will also feel calmer after a class.”

Sharon (33) of Beacon Heights, Newark, says that running her classes enables her to attend auditions.

She has appeared in a number of Averham’s Robin Hood Theatre productions and recently appeared in an episode of ITV’s The Bill, as a barge owner.

She has also been auditioning for commercials.

Sharon teaches 12 Pilates classes a week — at LA Fitness on Northern Road, Newark, the Jayne Ross School of Dance at St Mary’s Rooms, Newark, and Coddington Community Centre. She also takes one-to-one sessions at Newark Osteopathic Clinic on Harcourt Street.

She says Pilates is suitable for all ages and her classes are mixed ability as she can tailor the exercises to suit each person.

If students have particular problems she will provide work sheets for them to continue the exercises at home.

Drop-in classes, which last an hour, cost £5.50.

Sharon can be contacted on 07810171864.

TOP: Sharon Gatherer shows her class at LA Fitness one of the Pilates’ exercises that help to strengthen the body. 100707JW2-6.

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