Our Team

Clinical Pilates Teacher, Remedial Massage Therapist & Yoga Teacher​

Coming from a background in working with children and young people, Debbie has attended Pure Balance Pilates from the beginning.​

Debbie was so amazed at how Pilates helped her personally, she decided to train as a Pilates instructor, qualifying as a Level 3 Pilates teacher with HFE Ltd in 2014.​Debbie's love of anatomy led her to further her knowledge in this field by completing a Diploma in Remedial Massage in 2014. In addition she has completed other courses to enhance her skills as a Pilates teacher including Swiss ball Pilates and spinal conditions.

Debbie is also a fully qualified Yoga instructor offering small group sessions from her beautiful Yoga room in Mow Cop.

Dr Chris Norris is a physiotherapist (MCSP) with over 40 years clinical experience.  He has a master’s degree (MSc) in exercise science and a doctorate (PhD) in Spinal rehabilitation.  He is the author of 14 books on Injuries, Exercise, and Acupuncture including the best-selling textbooks Sports & Soft Tissue Injures (5th ed – Routledge 2019) and Back Rehabilitation (3rd ed – Routledge 2023).  

He is a certified level 3 instructor in both Pilates and Yoga.  Chris holds an Iyengar yoga teaching certification and a level 4 qualification in strength and conditioning (S&C).  Dr Norris lectures throughout Europe to medical and exercise professionals and has been a visiting lecturer at Derby, Salford, and Staffordshire universities teaching physiotherapy and sports therapy students.   drchrisnorris.co.uk

Dr Chris Norris - Health & Care Practitioners Council Number - PH35652

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Corinna is a fully qualified APPI Pilates instructor and NHS Physiotherapist. Additional training that Corinna has undertaken in the field of Pilates​.

Corinna became interested in physiotherapy at a young age, with a keen interest in gymnastics she suffered several injuries and decided to train in a profession to be able to help and guide others after injury or illness.​

She qualified from the University of Hertfordshire in 1996. Her career started at Watford General Hospital, with junior rotations and quickly working up to a Senior position. Whilst in Hertfordshire she spent 2 seasons working for a rugby team but the wet and cold quickly drove her into a nice warm clinic room in The Physio Vineyards private practice.

The move to Congleton came in 2004. This was a move to be closer to family to allow Grandparents to get to know their Grandchildren. 6 weeks after the move she accepted a position in the NHS in Stoke on Trent running a physiotherapy department. Whilst in this job she was involved in several research studies, the last of which was a spinal study which lead to the move to her current role, Extended Scope Practitioner in a spinal service.​

• Antenatal Pilates with APPI

• Scoliosis Training with APPI

• Cherry Baker - Pelvic Floor seminar
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Health & Care Practitioners Council Number - PH51025

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Luis is a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach and Pilates teacher.
He graduated in Sports Science in 2011 and has since worked with athletes of different sports and disciplines including Mia Brookes, Team GB Snowboarder and the Everton Academy Team.
Since graduating Luis has taught Pilates in numerous gyms and works as a personal trainer.

Luis incorporates his knowledge of sports performance, anatomy and physiology with key Pilates principles to help his clients to reach their full potential.

Luis offers 121 Pilates and personal training at Pure Balance as well as teaching our Performance Pilates classes - Ideal for sporty individuals or those wishing to maintain, develop and support a more active lifestyle .

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Mahani is a qualified Body Control Pilates teacher. Body Control Pilates is Europe’s largest professional Pilates organisation. Following comprehensive training and an ongoing programme of continuous education, Mahani strives to provide you with the highest quality of teaching.

Mahani has been practising Pilates since 2001 when her physiotherapist recommended it to her as a way of managing knee issues. The knee specialist suggested surgery to resolve the issue; however, Mahani was determined to explore all avenues to avoid surgery and is convinced that it is because of Pilates that surgery was not necessary.

Leading a physically active lifestyle as a very keen horse rider, an enthusiastic golfer, and a qualified PADI Divemaster puts a lot of demand on the human body. Mahani passionately believes that Pilates has allowed her to pursue these physically demanding activities and was the main driver to qualify to teach Pilates and to share her own experience on how to tap into the fundamentals of Pilates to strive for the physical well-being of each individual.

Mahani offers enthusiasm in abundance and empathy unique to each person so they can improve their mobility and quality of life, regardless of their background, age, and fitness level.

Mahani is a founding member of the Body Control Pilates Academy, a member of the Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA), a member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and very proud to have qualified as an Equipilates™ Biomechanics Trainer™.

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Alison has been working in the health and fitness industry since 2003 when she began working as a gym-based fitness and aerobics instructor. She subsequently qualified as a Pilates teacher in 2005. As her interest grew, she continued to develop skills and qualifications in sports therapy and a range of holistic massage therapies.​

She continued to develop teaching skills in Pilates and other group exercise disciplines and then decided to enhance her original Pilates and therapy qualifications by completing a two-year full time HND in Sports therapy. She then went on to complete Level 3 Pilates instructor Training with Modern Pilates – a physiotherapy led Pilates training organisation who specialise in clinical Pilates for rehabilitation.​

She has also completed training in:
Modern Pilates Ante and Post Natal, Modern Pilates, and Back Care Diagnostic Pilates - The Spine and Abdominals, Modern Pilates Specialist Hip and Knee, Modern Pilates Pelvis and Lower Limb, Modern Pilates Spinal Conditions, Advanced Pilates Mat Work, Pilates and the Older Adult, Pilates Diagnostic Assessment of the Shoulder, Barre Pilates Method Stage One, YMCA Core stability. Wright Foundation Phase 4 Cardiac Rehabilitation, Wright Foundation Exercise Referral Programme Consult Qualification. Move it or lose it (Flexibility Aerobic Balance Strength) for the older Adult (Chair based Exercise).​

Alison is also a qualified Yoga teacher having completed a variety of training, including training in India, physiotherapy-based yoga as therapy, and a three-year teacher training program with the Comprehensive Yoga Fellowship. She also has training in relaxation therapy and mindfulness.

Elaine is a fully qualified and insured member of The Association of Reflexologists.

She began her journey by training in beauty, Swedish massage, anatomy, and physiology at South Trafford College from 2005 to 2007. Following this, Elaine pursued a diploma in Anatomy, Physiology, and Reflexology, successfully qualifying in 2008.

Throughout her career, Elaine has gained diverse experience, working in various spas in the Manchester and Cheshire areas on a part-time basis while also offering private services. Her clientele has ranged from seniors in residential homes to corporate environments. Additionally, Elaine has dedicated her time to voluntary work at the Macclesfield Cancer Help Centre, providing treatments in both reflexology and massage.

Continuing her commitment to learning and development, Elaine attended courses while volunteering at The Christie.

During the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, Elaine shifted her focus to work with adults with autism and other challenging behaviors. She currently provides reflexology treatments on-site for these individuals.

Furthermore, Elaine is actively engaged in a specialized course tailored for menopausal women. This course, designed by Sally Earlam, a recognized therapist with the Association of Reflexologists, aims to provide support and coping mechanisms through reflexology during this difficult stage of life.

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Margaret is a qualified Osteopath (D.O) with additional credentials, including a PGCert ACE.

She obtained her qualifications from the British School of Osteopathy in London and initially practiced in Staffordshire before establishing her practice in Congleton in 1987. Margaret brings years of experience in treating injuries stemming from various sports and types of exercise, offering valuable advice on rehabilitation. Outside of her professional life, Margaret is an avid swimmer, cyclist, and dancer.

Margaret's dedication to her field led her to work for four years at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in Manchester. Here, she developed a special interest in treating pregnant patients and children with special needs. She furthered her expertise in these areas by continuing her training at the London School of Osteopathy.

In addition to her clinical practice, Margaret is actively involved in education. She teaches several subjects, including clinical diagnosis and care of pregnant patients, in the M.Ost/B.Ost Osteopathy Degree program at Staffordshire University. Furthermore, Margaret serves as an examiner for the final clinical competence assessments. Her commitment to academic excellence was recognized in 2014 when she obtained a PGCE in Academic and Clinical Education from Bedfordshire University.

General Osteopathic Council Number - 597

Wendy Davies is a a Pilates Teacher, Biomechanical Trainer and Pelvic Floor Coach.

She has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and specialises in Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi and Mindfulness Classes.

Wendy also runs specialist workshops in many different areas of musculoskeletal health, such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Back Pain!

Wendy has undertaken Orthopaedic Pilates Training which enables her help students with the following conditions:

• Arthritis
• Rotator cuff and tendonitis, impingement, and tears.
• Frozen shoulder
• Tennis and golfer's elbow
• Hypermobility
• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Disc herniation
• Piriformis syndrome
• Osteoporosis
• Knee and hip replacement
• Trochanteric bursitis of the hip
• Meniscal tears
• Ligament injury to the knee

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