Pilates: the MOT for your body

Pilates isn't just exercise. It is an essential maintenance. Think of it as your body's regular MOT: fine-tuning the engine, checking alignment, and keeping things running smoothly before something breaks down.

Think about it...

You wouldn’t skip your car’s service for years and expect it to drive perfectly, right? So why do we do that to our bodies?

Your hips click, your lower back aches. Your core is MIA. But unlike the old car, you don’t get to trade this body in for a new model. You’ve only got this one. For life! And how you care for it is everything, not to mention how it will perform later in life.

Why Pilates isn’t optional (anymore)

If you've known me for a while, you know how much I love Pilates. It’s not just something I teach, it’s something that rebuilt me from the ground up. It’s healed years of chronic imbalances, transformed how I move, and given birth to something I now call Yogalates.

Let me take you back.

Years ago, even after becoming a yoga teacher, I was hitting a wall. My body was strong in some ways but deeply unstable in others. I was getting more flexible, but flexibility without stability is a recipe for injury. I found myself struggling with lower back pain, wonky hips, constant shoulder injuries, and a core that wouldn’t engage properly.

Pilates was the missing piece.

It taught me how to move from my centre, stabilise before I stretch, and strengthen the muscles that actually hold me together in everyday life. I started to understand the mechanics and beauty of movement and alignment. After a few weeks, my yoga felt different—stronger, deeper, safer. My posture shifted. I felt powerful.

This isn’t just another trendy fitness recommendation. This is a love letter to a practice that gave me my body back.

From Sick Kid to Body Genius – Joseph Pilates’ Story

Most people don’t know that Pilates wasn’t created in a studio with neon lights and cute outfits. It was born out of raw necessity in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. He was a sickly child. He suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. He was small, weak, and often bedridden. But instead of resigning himself to poor health, he became obsessed with vitality and strength. He studied everything available at the time: anatomy, bodybuilding, gymnastics, martial arts, boxing, and yoga. And slowly, piece by piece, he developed what he called Contrology, a method that integrated mind, body, and spirit.

During World War I, he used his method to rehabilitate injured soldiers in internment camps, often using makeshift equipment (like hospital beds and springs) to support their movement. His success was extraordinary. These men weren’t just recovering, they were thriving.

Later, when he emigrated to New York in the 1920s, Pilates opened a studio above the New York City Ballet. Dancers, who were constantly dealing with injuries, flocked to him. His method helped them build strength without bulk, improve performance, and prevent recurring issues.

This wasn’t just a workout. It was intelligent, holistic, and healing. Let's remember why it was designed.

Why modern Pilates matters even more

Fast forward to today. And traditional Pilates? While brilliant, it often mirrors the patterns we need to undo: spinal flexion, rounding forward, and overuse of the hip flexors.

We live in bodies that are hunched, stiff, and overstimulated. Most of us spend 8+ hours sitting, scrolling, or stressing. We’re disconnected from our breath. Our core muscles are asleep. Our nervous systems are shot, and we are constantly bombarded by information about what we should and should not be doing and how quickly we can get results. The problem is that no one talks about the boring stuff… maintenance and adjusting to your body needs. Yawn....

That’s why I evolved my teaching.

My Pilates style, especially Yogalates, focuses on building posterior chain strength (glutes, hamstrings, back extensors), functional core engagement, mind-body connection, and self-awareness. We work on posture, breath, coordination, and mindful movement that supports real life.

Not just six-packs. Not just burn and sweat. But real, intelligent strength.

And the best part? It’s fun. My classes are challenging but never punishing. You’ll sweat, laugh, maybe even cry. And you’ll always leave feeling more connected to your body with a better understanding of how it moves.

The Science behind Pilates (and why it works)

Here’s the thing: the science backs it up.

• A 2017 study published in the "Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies" found that regular Pilates practice improved postural alignment and reduced musculoskeletal pain in office workers.

• Another review in PLOS One showed that Pilates reduces chronic lower back pain.

• Studies have linked Pilates to increased core strength, balance, and flexibility, all while improving mental well-being.

  
  

Pilates engages both the deep stabilising muscles and the nervous system. You’re not just training muscles, you’re retraining your brain to move better, feel better, and respond more effectively to stress.

The 6 Core Principles (why Pilates works)

Joseph Pilates’ method is rooted in six core principles. They’re timeless, and I integrate them into every session:

1. Concentration – Your mind is your most powerful muscle. Presence matters.

2. Control – Every movement is intentional. No autopilot here.

3. Centering – We move from the powerhouse (core), not from chaos.

4. Precision – Details matter. Alignment isn’t extra, it’s essential.

5. Breath – The breath connects, grounds, and energises.

6. Flow – Movement is seamless, graceful, and efficient.

   
   

My motto, my somatic teacher shared once, is "Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast."

Pilates is about quality over quantity. This is movement as medicine.

Why I believe everyone needs Pilates (yes, even you)

Let’s break the myths:

• You don’t need to be fit to start Pilates.

• You don’t need to be flexible.

• You don’t need to be a woman (men, I see you!).

  
  

You just need to care about your body and want it to last.

Pilates supports:

• Injury prevention and rehab

• Ageing with strength and mobility

• Restoring posture and body awareness

• Stress relief and nervous system regulation

• Getting more out of every other movement practice

  
  

If you’ve ever thought, “I just want to feel better in my body,” this is your gateway.

From my mat to yours: Let’s begin

I never teach just Yoga or Pilates. I am a rebel and like to break the rules, and I feel they support each other. I love interlinking and connecting all disciplines; I embody and teach them to others.

Hence, I want more people to experience this, and I created my 28-Day Wellness Program, a fun, feel-good journey to move, breathe, and live better on your terms.

It’s an investment you get to use daily. It’s packed with tools for improving your health and well-being. Find it here.

Need a personalised approach?

Many beginners wonder if they are doing things correctly, and it’s important to have a second pair of eyes sometimes, maybe accountability!

Or you are dealing with life changes, returning from injuries, and looking for more guidance.

Book a 1:1 session (online or in person). Whether you're healing an injury, prepping for pregnancy, or just want to get strong in a way that feels aligned, I’ve got you.

Book your session

Your body is your home. Treat it like it matters, every damn week.