Every weekend Sarah Miles walks at least six miles.

The 66-year-old’s dream is to one day walk the Railway Trail from Hamilton Parish to Sandys.

Seven years ago that would have been impossible for her.

“Back then, I was living in London and struggled to lift my legs high enough to get on a double decker bus,” said Mrs Miles. “I loved walking, but felt pain in my hips and knees if I walked more than two miles.

“It was quite scary. I realised I was going to be quite old and crotchety when I really wanted to feel fit and be able to do anything. I felt like there was something about my body that was off-balance.”

A chiropractor spotted a five-centimetre difference in the length of her legs. It turned out she was born with hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip joint is malformed.

“Back in the early 1950s, when I was born, it wasn’t something people were aware of,” said Mrs Miles.

Her parents noticed that her feet turned inward, a common problem for people with the disorder. Corrective shoes then overcorrected the problem so that her feet turned outwards.

“I’ve always fallen down a lot,” she said.

“I always thought it was the uneven pavements. A couple of times I had a really nasty fall and had to have medical attention.”

Her chiropractor suggested she try Pilates to improve her balance and lose weight.

She reluctantly took up his suggestion.

“I was very nervous when I took my first class,” she said. “I was 61 and thought I was probably too old. I thought it might be too hard and I wasn’t sure if it would help.”

She fell in love after only a few classes.

“Within a few weeks I felt taller and fitter,” she said. “It became a part of my life.”

She began to fill her spare moments with exercise rather than snacks. While waiting for the kettle she did squats; watching television she did roll-ups. She was soon able to walk eight miles, comfortably.

“I never would have imagined all that happening,” she said.

At the time, she was working in hotel quality assurance, drawing up training programmes for staff.

She put those skills to good use helping her Pilates instructor, Sarah Harris, set up Harris Mind & Body.

In 2014, she became the training school’s first student to qualify as an instructor.

“I got the qualification because I knew my husband Barry and I were moving to Bermuda,” she said. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to do the same job I’d been doing.”

When they finally got here three years ago, she got sidetracked working for Masterworks as a volunteer co-ordinator.

“I did a few one-on-one Pilates lessons and workshops during that time, but nothing substantial,” she said.

When that ended this year, she decided it was time to finally focus on Pilates.

Once again, she turned to Ms Harris who was eager to set up a second training school. Mrs Miles is now managing Harris Mind & Body Bermuda. Classes are held at Spirit House in Devonshire.

She urges students not to be afraid to try something new.

“Think about your body and how easily it really can be changed for the better with very little hard work,” she said. “You can see results in three to six months. It helps you improve your balance and feel healthier, more mobile and flexible.”

Mrs Miles said some of her students were surprised she was so flexible at her age.

“There is no reason someone my age shouldn’t be able to do these things,” she said.

“If I can do it, so can others. There’s nothing special about me.

“Pilates helps ensure you’re using your body and muscles effectively.

“Pilates has helped me feel more alive and in control.”

Her classes run every Tuesday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. All abilities are welcome.

•For more information call 707-4110, e-mail smiles.miles49@btinternet.com or see www.harris mindandbody.com.