About Us

Ankor Pilates offer specialised Pilates for back pain across South East London, in New Cross, Telegraph Hill, Nunhead, and East Dulwich.

Our expert instructors customise exercises specifically for back pain, focusing on strengthening core and back muscles to improve spinal alignment and enhance mobility.

Our service also incorporates back pain consultations and pain reduction resources to ensure that you take the quickest possible route out of pain.

Our Story

Ankor Pilates’ founder, Zoe, suffered from chronic low back pain for over a decade. Eventually, she found Pilates as a way to rehabilitate her back.

Knowing firsthand how miserable back pain can feel, she set up Ankor Pilates to help others overcome back pain.

Fuelled by curiosity to find the most effective ways to reduce pain, she incorporated other methodologies into Ankor Pilates, including specialised consultations, advice on diet, stress, mindfulness and more.

Why Chose Ankor Pilates?

Established in 2017, we have helped over 1,000 members not only heal their back pain, but improve their overall quality of life.

Our team of highly qualified teachers continually learn about pain management and spinal conditions. Many of our teachers have also experienced chronic pain and injuries themselves.

With a suite of wellness resources to support you alongside group classes, our personalised service is unrivalled.

Founder Zoe has made it her mission to make sure no one suffers in pain alone, so join us today to make pain a thing of the past.

Our Teachers

All our instructors are certified through accredited Pilates training programs. This provides them with a strong foundation in core Pilates techniques.

Additionally, they receive specialized training in back pain management, led by our founder and lead consultant, Zoe Fairlamb.

This focused approach ensures our team can effectively support clients dealing with back pain.

Click on each teacher to read their bio.

Tali grew up in Edinburgh and trained as a dancer from a young age. A chronic back injury at the age of 10 led her to Pilates during a two year break from dancing. During this time, Pilates helped Tali to strengthen her body and heal her pain, and eventually enabled her to complete a degree in Contemporary Dance. Deeply passionate about chronic pain, Tali provides challenging classes with a strong mind-body connection. She aims to educate clients about pain and she teaches lighthearted, accessible classes that help clients to strengthen, stretch, and heal.

Tali

In 2016, Sophie attended her first Pilates class with her mum. After facing a period of high stress and anxiety, Sophie returned to Pilates and experienced the profound benefits for her physical and mental health. With a special interest in mental wellbeing, Sophie's mission is to share the joys of Pilates with her clients, providing relief from lower back pain, managing stress and anxiety, and enhancing overall well-being. Her well-rounded classes include strength building, mindful movement, and a mix of challenge, release, and relaxation.

Sophie

Eve is an actor based in South East London. Like many people she came to Pilates via an injury she sustained on a job. Almost immediately she fell in love with the process of Pilates and trained to share the joy in 2015. Eve teaches energetic yet relaxing classes, and you will receive plenty of individual guidance under her careful eye. Eve loves working with different people, helping them feel good within their bodies and move with freedom.

Eve

Mari is a Body Control Pilates teacher, dance artist and movement director from Brazil. Her passion for movement and somatic practices is highly incorporated in her lessons, and her generous approach inspire clients of all walks of life to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Her classes focus on supporting people to be confident and have a joyful experience whilst introducing challenging exercises progressively. Mari takes pride in supporting clients to develop a mindful, safe and effective workout.

Mari

Val’s Pilates journey began more than 15 years ago when a demanding City job led to persistent back issues. Val is passionate about sharing the Pilates transformative power and all-round goodness. With meticulously planned classes, blending intelligent movement, targeted fascia release and back-strengthening exercises, Val has created a fun and varied Pilates experience. Originally from France, Val has lived in South East London for over 20 years.

Val

Irene grew up between Italy and London and for many years ran a specialist food business. Having been a devoted Pilates enthusiast for 15 years she decided to follow her passion and retrained in London to become a Stott Pilates certified matwork teacher. Irene works with clients of all ages and abilities, encouraging them to listen to their bodies, have confidence in their movement and improve core strength and flexibility. Her fun and effective teaching style helps clients to reduce pain, improve posture, and improve mental wellbeing. Expect great energy and a workout from Irene’s classes!

Irene

Imogen previously worked as a professional contemporary figure skater touring across Europe and North America for 6 years. Pilates played a significant role in keeping her strong and injury-free and now she hopes to bring the wonderful benefits of Pilates to everyone. Imogen has a client-centred approach and wants every student to get the best out of their class. Expect a calm, caring and concentrated atmosphere, but with a bit of challenge.

Imogen

Ailsa is a Physiotherapist, Pilates instructor, and a mum who turned to Pilates to regain her strength and fitness after having children. With years of experience in physiotherapy, Ailsa brings a deep understanding of the body and rehabilitation to her Pilates classes. Her approach is grounded in clinical expertise, focusing on strength, mobility and overall wellbeing. She enjoys exploring different movements and sequences to make classes fun and challenging.

Ailsa

Martin is a movement artist and teacher. He has immersed himself in many different physical disciplines that inform his work as a Pilates teacher, including contemporary dance, triathlons and Taekwon-Do (for which he is a silver medallist at a national level for three successive years). He took his first Pilates class in 2020 and was inspired by its precision and inclusivity. Expect focussed sessions from Martin, building from the center outwards with use of breath for strength and relaxation.

Martin

Livi came to Pilates through dance - having trained and worked professionally as a dancer. She finds Pilates is an extremely effective tool to build and maintain strength in the body as one, fluid, ecosystem. After 7 years of teaching Pilates she has seen first hand the difference it can make to a person's overall wellbeing and comfort in their own skin. Livi's classes focus on caring for the body and mind by fostering awareness and confidence, building strength while lengthening and releasing tension

Livi

Originally training as a Yoga Teacher Kacie discovered how Pilates could help her clients with alignment, posture and work in conjunction with more restorative practice. She has a person centred approach, focusing on making movement accessible and enjoyable for everyone in her classes.

Kacie

With a background in psychology and business, Pippa discovered her passion for Pilates and was captivated by its transformative power. After years of dedicated practice, she pursued a rewarding career as a certified Body Control Pilates teacher. Pippa’s classes are thoughtfully designed to energise the body, build strength, improve posture, and enhance overall well-being, leaving clients feeling refreshed and confident. Committed to creating a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment, Pippa will help you experience the joy of movement.

Pippa

Lauren’s passion for movement began in her teenage years and grew through her professional dance training. She has training not only as a Pilates teacher but also as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist, integrating an understanding of posture, anatomy, and mental health within her practice. Lauren’s classes are calm and compassionate, emphasizing alignment, body awareness, and mindful movement. Her goal is to help clients connect with their bodies, build confidence, and carry these skills into their daily lives.

Lauren

⏳ Limited availability in February