Last updated 22:25, Thursday, 16 October 2008

A COCKERMOUTH Pilates teacher is celebrating 40 years of teaching an exercise that keeps her forever young.

PILATES TEACHER: Cindy Zudys

As Cindy Zudys stretches into the mermaid position, it is hard to believe that she will be 60 next month.

She prides her youthful looks and supple body on the exercise, which she has practised since her early teens.

Cindy, 59, of Head Mount, Keswick, has been teaching lessons under the name of Lakedance at the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth for more than six years.

To mark the milestone she is inviting her students to a meal tomorrow at Tarantella restaurant on Main Street, Cockermouth.

Cindy began training in Pilates during the early 60s while studying dance at the Laban Contemporary Dance Centre in London.

Her teacher was Jean-Claude Pfeffel, an ex-student of Joseph Pilates who created the exercise.

Cindy said: “I’m so happy that I’ve been able to teach for this long. My body is as supple as it was when I was younger and I pride this on Pilates.

“If people practised Pilates every day they would notice such a difference in their mobility; it really helps to keep you feeling fit and young.”

She started teaching it in Bristol in 1968 after a career dancing in London stage shows Fiddler On The Roof and Hair.

In 1990 she studied at an osteopathy college in Middlesex to gain a greater knowledge of the anatomy and the spine.

She added: “Most of my pupils have been referred to me by GPs so it was important to gain a greater knowledge of the skeletal structure and movement of the body.”

She moved to Keswick in 1985 and also runs Lakedance for children, which includes, dance, physical theatre and music.

Those interested in attending classes should contact Cindy on 01768775769.