A PRIMARY school teacher turned pilates instructor is giving new mothers a space to work out., relax and meet each other, while respecting social distancing.

Mum-of-two Hazel Commane, from Hurworth, near Darlington, is setting up the post-natal pilates group at the Cornerstone Arts Centre, in Northgate.

It is aimed at helping women regain their strength after giving birth, while giving them a place to socialise.

She said: "I have been that mum who puts aside an hour for herself to do a class, only to spend the whole time breastfeeding or changing nappies.

“I think it’s important at the moment to provide that opportunity for people to get out and meet other new mums, whilst also creating some space to help them take some time out for themselves and their own wellbeing.

“Mums are often so busy looking after everyone else they forget about looking after themselves.

“This will be a space where they can switch off - although they can have baby next to them in a car seat or on a mat - and it will be about helping them rebuild their strength after pregnancy.”

The one-hour class, starting on Friday October 9 at 11am, is also available via Zoom for those who prefer to stay at home.

Hazel, who is mum to six-year-old Elia and three-year-old Rory, turned to pilates to help her with a condition called diastasis recti, where the abdominal muscles separate, and is now trained in post-natal pilates.

She said: “I will be showing ladies how they can check whether they have that problem and looking at how to help them heal.

“I will also broadcast the class live online because I know what it’s like having a baby and planning to go out – sometimes your plans go out of the window.

“Through my online teaching, I will still be capable of coaching each individual on what they are doing.

“The class is also recorded, so if you miss a bit of it because you are feeding or soothing your baby, you can revisit it whenever suits you for the next week after the class.”

For those who do attend in person, after the class, tea and coffee will also be served, to give women the opportunity of socialising with others while feeding baby if required. Masks should be worn when walking around the building.

Louise Maddison, who runs Cornerstone Arts Centre, said: “It’s great to be able to offer such a wide and diverse range of classes from birth onwards.

“It fits in with our ethos of being inclusive for the whole community.

“We are not just about pretty pictures on the wall, we are about bringing everybody together and providing space for whatever people want to do in the building – art is only one part of it and we have language classes, a community choir and many other activities taking place here.”

To book onto the postnatal pilates class or to find out more, visit www.pilateswithhazel.co.uk