THE hall at the Community Centre, Hatherleigh, was transformed into a haven of peace and tranquillity on Tuesday evening.

At 6.15pm the Pilates class began, led by Sarah Dellar, who has recently started classes in Hatherleigh.

Sarah was classically trained at the Rambert School of Ballet and is on the register of exercise professionals.

Her enthusiasm and knowledge was immediately apparent as she led her class in the dimmed lights of the hall, accompanied by music – including Vivaldi's Winter and Spring.

Pilates was designed by Joseph Pilates, born in Germany in 1883.

He developed a system of exercise during the first half of the 20th century intended to strengthen the human mind and body.

David Cook was a first-timer, this was his very first experience of Pilates.

At the end of the class he reported "it was a lot harder then I thought it was going to be."

But you would never have guessed that he hadn't attended a class before as he managed all the movements and exercises of the more experienced class members.

Pat and Alan Palmer had been practising Pilates for three years and described it as brilliant.

"It strengthens the body and tones the muscles" they said.

I'm sure the class members will not mind me saying that they were not all youngsters but during the whole hour of the class they moved in unison.

Nobody gave in or slumped down, as I thought they surely must.

Their incredibly graceful movements made me think of mermaids or swans floating along the dappled water of a river.

All you needed was a mat and a cushion to transport you into a world of graceful but obviously very demanding exercise.

Apparently Pippa Middleton is an advocate of Pilates: "The best bottom exercise in the world."

But even after watching from the comfort of a chair I felt envious of the stamina, concentration and aura of peace created by Sarah's class.

In addition to her Tuesday evening sessions, Sarah is also starting a Tuesday morning class from February 21 between 10-11am.