"SINCE we are living in this modern age we must out of necessity devote more time and more thought to the matter of acquiring physical fitness."

The words of Joseph H Pilates will resonate with many followers of the famous exercise system which takes his name and is now practised around the world.

Unlike yoga, pilates isn't a spiritual practice. Kirstin Ferrie explains it is a mindful and focused exercise.

Having travelled the world to learn and teach this form of exercise, which is good for the body and the mind, Kirstin is now passing on its many benefits to others through Pure Pilates, the studio she set up in Ilkley when she returned to her Yorkshire roots.

Her introduction to Pilates was as part of her daily fitness regime as a contemporary dancer, but when injury put pay to dancing, Kirstin took up teaching pilates in the UK and around the world and is still developing her knowledge and expertise from the master teachers - including Mary Bowen.

Mary is one of the last two remaining Pilates Elders, taught by Joseph Pilates, and to Kirstin's delight she is popping into the Ilkley studio from September 17 to 20 during her trip over from the States.

Kirstin explains how she initially met Mary during a conference in Palm Springs in 2005 and the pair kept in touch.

Mary was already familiar with the area as her sister used to live in Halifax. Incidentally visiting her sister has brought Mary back to the UK.

During her five days at the studio, Mary, who is now in her late 80s, will run private classes for some clients and host an evening talking about her work. She will also run some teacher training workshops.

"I am blown away we got the opportunity to have her in my studio. It is a really big deal for somebody who was taught by him (Joseph Pilates). She is a fountain of knowledge in every aspect," says Kirstin.

"It is our fifth year in business but as far as my career is concerned this is almost as good as it gets, to have somebody of her calibre honouring me with her presence, teaching me and working alongside me, it will be a really big moment to have her in my studio."

Based in Connecticut, Mary met Joseph when he set up his pilates studio with his wife in New York. She is now one of only two remaining pilates elders who was mentored by him and are now passing on their expertise to other teachers who are now busy meeting a demand prompted by the increasing popularity of pilates.

"It has become a lot more popular. I think people are understanding the benefits of doing pilates as a condition for the rest of their lives. It is a technique that allows you to do so much in your life so it should make things easier.

"It makes every aspect of your life easier by having that physical strength from any age - we have children doing it up to 80 year olds and there is such a variety that every ability is able to do pilates."

Kirstin explains pilates also helps you to stay motivated and cope more effectively with the stresses of every day life. "When you have control over your body and you feel strong you are able to deal with life's stresses a lot better."

Kirstin has spent many years promoting the benefits of Pilates. Dancing from a young age, it was a natural progression for her.

She attended the London School of Contemporary Dance and, through injury, discovered pilates as a technique to maintain her high level of fitness.

Working in London and on the private Caribbean island of Parrot Cay brought Kirstin into contact with high-profile clients such as American supermodel Christie Brinkley and Sarah Ferguson.

Now she is busy passing on the benefits to her clients at her Ilkley studio.

"The thing about pilates is you never stop learning. Every time a client comes in I learn something new," says Kirstin.