A Carlisle businesswoman has seen success after opening her first reformer Pilates studio earlier this year.

Tanya Coady, a yoga teacher of 16 years, said her decision to open up her own studio followed a recent bereavement, at which point she felt the spark to go forward and take a leap.

She had been teaching at a city-based yoga studio previously, followed by being self employed and teaching privately.

After becoming qualified in teaching Pilates, she opened her studio at the Silver Link on the A6 in Carleton.

The studio is for reformer Pilates, a form of Pilates which combines the traditional principles and movements of mat Pilates with a reformer machine.

This machine contains a foot bar, carriage, pulleys, and five springs of varying tension that can be adjusted.

Ms Coady said the exercise is focused on rehabilitation and has mental benefits as well.

Since opening in mid-July 2024, she said it’s so popular that some people are struggling to get in, but remains humble in the face of success and is taking every day as it comes.

One such happy customer is Carlisle businesswoman Lauren Crowther, who said: "I went the other day for the first time as a complete beginner, and it was great.

"Because of the small classes of six people, Tanya had loads of time to coach me."

For more information about the studio, called Frame Reformer Pilates, visit its Facebook page by clicking here.