Gaukhar Scott has been runs Pilates classes for people of all ages at Bangor Street Community Centre.
She had approached the centre some years back, wanting to bring the mind-body exercise system to people who may never have considered it.
She now runs several classes at the centre and other venues in Blackburn.
Gaukhar who is known to many as Gohar, is originally from Kazakhstan, where she says her country’s nomadic heritage was rooted in ‘strength, resilience, and movement’.
She said: “My heritage taught me early that the human body is designed to stay active, grounded, and connected to nature.
“After having a child, I began experiencing stiffness and lower back pain. In 2016, I joined a gym where Pilates was offered, and within two weeks of repeating the same online video, my back pain disappeared.
“Pilates gave me mobility, confidence, and deep body awareness. It was then I understood: movement is medicine – accessible, powerful, and transformational.”
Gaukhar says her heritage taught her that the human body is designed to stay active (Image: Nq)
Gokhar’s professional journey began in medicine and she earned a degree in Paediatrics and specialised as a Children’s Anaesthesiologist and Resuscitator.
Later, she completed an MBA in Hospital Management and worked as a school doctor in international schools.
She said: “Through all these experiences, one belief became my guiding principle, preventative medicine is the foundation of health.
“My path toward movement and rehabilitation started long before I discovered Pilates. It began with my parents. They worked hard all their live, building, planting, lifting, cooking—yet never learned structured exercise, posture care, or safe movement.
“As a medical student, I became their personal health consultant. I guided them through doctor’s visits, helped them understand treatment options, and searched for ways to ease their pain from posture issues and knee arthritis.
“Gradually, they embraced new habits: gentle exercises, safer movements, healthier posture, walking without a destination, and swimming. My mother learned to swim at age 70, beautiful proof that it is never too late to begin.
“Their transformation, combined with my medical knowledge, shaped my identity.
“I realised I wasn’t just a doctor, I was becoming an exercise doctor.”
Gaukhar has been teaching Pilates for almost three years at the Bangor Community Centre.
“I am deeply grateful to them for supporting my growth as a teacher and allowing me to introduce the community to the world of Pilates its logic, beauty, and healing strategies.
“Every day I learn from the people I teach. Pilates is a lifelong journey, an endless path of discovery, curiosity, and knowledge. I work with people from all backgrounds, from complete beginners to athletes, and the transformation I witness is incredibly rewarding.
“Clients often feel the impact immediately: more flexibility, more awareness, less stiffness, and an uplift in mood. Group sessions bring laughter, support, and connection.
“Pilates is not just exercise, it is a holistic system that strengthens the body, calms the mind, and reconnects you with your inner biomechanics.
“It supports pain management, enhances sports performance, improves posture, and teaches safe, intelligent movement.
“Pilates teaches you to stand tall, protect your joints, engage your core, isolate movement, release unnecessary tension, and take full control of your body.”
You can find out more about Gaukhar’s classes by searching ‘Pilates by Gohar’ on Facebook or by calling 07821 198334.