Mary Thornton
Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) MCSP HCPC
Certified Pilates Foundation Practitioner. PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher Trainer. Yoga Alliance & Garuda Teacher
Mary’s ethos as a practitioner is to look at everyone as unique, taking into consideration their physical & emotional wellbeing, while supporting them to achieve optimum mobility and function through education and movement.
She graduated as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1997 and started her career working within the NHS, developing skills in areas such as orthopaedics, respiratory/ ICU, amputees and neurology, before specialising as a senior clinician in muscular skeletal outpatients and women’s health. During this time she treated a vast array of muscular skeletal symptoms and obstetric / gynaecological care within a hospital, community and GP setting.
In the private sector she has practiced at the Sussex Centre for Sports Medicine, Sportswise, often working with professional athletes as part of their rehabilitation programme.
In 1998 Mary started her Pilates training with the DMA Clinical Pilates, Australia then continued to train with Stott Pilates, Canada, as well as completing a years equipment based certification course with the Pilates Foundation UK. She also holds qualifications in Garuda and has completed a 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training course, as well as being a registered Pink Ribbon Mastectomy rehabilitation & Menopause Yoga practitioner.
Mary went on to open her own clinic; The Clinical Pilates Studio in 2007 - 2024 with the vision of developing an holistic clinic to empower people through movement and give them the tools to live a healthy and active life what ever their ability.
Mary’s special interest in Women’s Health & Hypermobility syndromes led her to develop “The Reconnect to your Pelvic Floor Method”, an online educational programme for Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.
Mary's love of movement and sharing knowledge has led her to be a guest lecturer for many renowned institutions such as the Chartered society of Physiotherapy, Brighton University, Pilates Method Alliance, Fascia Symposium UK, Pilates Method Alliance USA, Pilates Foundation UK, Alan Herdman’s - Celebration of Movement and Balanced Body.
Mary also runs and presents her own Clinical Pilates Teacher Training CPD courses and is an accredited CIMSPA Educator Partner.
“After years of pain from scoliosis and a fractured coccyx, I found Mary. I had been offered operations by consultants and been turned away by hospital Physio’s as they didn’t know what to do with me. walking, standing and even swimming were all painful! Now as long as I keep up my exercises I am pain free. I started with private sessions and now I am part of a specialist Pilates back class. My mobility and strength have vastly improved. Mary and her combination of Pilates and Physiotherapy, individual assessment & attention has given me back a good quality of life without continuous pain. THANK YOU!”