Happy March Matness Day 27 - Boomerang #boomerang Definitely another work in progress for me but good to have fun with it. Bringing together all the elements we've worked on so far through March Matness. I was very guarded here to try and avoid bashing my feet on either end of the Cadi! ⚠️ Avoid if Osteoporosis and low back pain Thanks to Pilates for helping us be playful and smiling! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 26 - Side Bend #sidebend Definitely challenging and building strength in shoulder girdle, your centre and laterally flexing the spine. Due to my metal mickey wrist I prefer to stay on elbows for this one but classical version is on extended supporting arm. Thanks to Pilates for helping to lift and lengthen us! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 25 - Side Kick Kneeling #sidekickkneeling Certainly ramping up side leg series, challenging our relationship with gravity, building stability and strengthening our hips Thanks to Pilates for helping to lift us up! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 24 Part 2 - Leg Pull Back #legpullback Lift and support from your centre and powerhouse to avoid sinking in your shoulders and wrists! These can be a struggle for my metal mickey wrist (surgically fixated after distal radius shattered following RTA 12 years ago) but strengthening my shoulders has really helped. This has only been made possible thanks to the surgical skills of @buckshandexpert, huge amount of rehab and maintenance support from @luton_osteopath and @carolinemusgrove41 and of course Pilates helping me to Return to Life! Thanks to Pilates for helping to lift us up! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 24 Part 1 - Leg Pull Front #legpullfront Lift and support from your centre and powerhouse to avoid sinking in your shoulders and wrists! These can be a struggle for my metal mickey wrist (surgically fixated after distal radius shattered following RTA 12 years ago) but strengthening my shoulders has really helped. This has only been made possible thanks to the surgical skills of @buckshandexpert, huge amount of rehab and maintenance support from @luton_osteopath and @carolinemusgrove41 and of course Pilates helping me to Return to Life! Thanks to Pilates for helping to lift us up! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 23 - Swimming #swimming #marchmatness2025 Today it's Swimming, working on our extension of our hips, spines and shoulders as we're all swimming through choppy waters at times. Makes me think of Dory 🐟🐠 in Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...!" This exercise certainly makes us look like a wind up bath toy once you get going! 🛁🐸🤣 Thanks to Pilates to help propel us forwards and upwards! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 22 - Hip Twist/Hip circles #hiptwist Definitely another challenge for abdominal strength, spinal length and hip flexor endurance. Suits me better to have elbows down rather than lengthened arms. Thanks to Pilates for always giving us options and choices about what's right for our bodies! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 21 - Teaser #teaser Definitely a challenge for abdominal strength, spinal length and hip flexor endurance. I suppose such a challenge is symbolic the times we're still living in ... but like the teaser we will rise up again! Thanks to Pilates for keeping us strong in body and mind and able to endure whatever comes our way! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 20 - Side Kick #sidekick Today it's Side Kick with lots of variations for happy mobile hips/legs working from a strong and stable centre. Thanks to Pilates for keeping our hips happy and strengthening our stability! Have a lovely day! 💙 Hopefully with ☀️!

Happy March Matness Day 19 - Jack Knife #jackknife Today it's Jack Knife and not my strong point (my heavy bottom strikes again! 🤣) the Cadi is definitely my friend to help here! Definitely best to try these inversions with a teacher to help you and AVOID if Osteoporosis or Low back pain or neck issues. Thanks to Pilates for keeping us moving every which way! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 18 - Spine Twist #spinetwist Today it's Spine Twist! Working on sitting tall and spinal rotation and to co-ordinate your movement and breath to get rid of the old air in the lungs to make space for new fresh 🤞air. Thanks to Pilates for helping us to sit tall, breath fully and rotate our thoracic spine! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 17 - Shoulder Bridge #shoulderbridge Today it's Shoulder bridge, continuing to build on the foundation of your spine curl and building glute strength!🍑 I prefer to keep spinal in neutral and to avoid lumbar extension as that suits my body better. Thanks to Pilates for strengthening back line of the body and mobilising our hips and spine! Happy St Patrick's Day too! 🍀💚

Happy March Matness Day 16 - Scissors & Bicycle #scissors #bicycle Lots of abdominal strength required as well as hip mobility and co-ordination! I have stuck with my favoured foam roller alternative rather than including the classical version this time! Thanks to Pilates for providing amazing opportunities for hip mobility and co-ordination! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 15 - Neck Pull #neckpull Lots of abdominal strength required as well as an appreciation of neutral and C shapes of the spine plus plenty of articulation. Just stay with neutral hinge aspect for Osteoporosis and you may prefer to sit in long frog/diamond shape of legs than lengthened. Thanks to Pilates for helping us to lengthen and strengthen to sit tall! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 14 - Double Leg Kick! #doublelegkick I start with Dart as prep for this one. Now let's kick ourselves in the butt with both legs or just continue to be kick ass! Great for hip extension, glute and hamstring strength as well as spinal and shoulder extension as you progress with the exercise. Thanks to Pilates for helping us counteract the effects of our forward flexed lifestyle habits! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 13 - One Leg Kick/Single Leg Kick #onelegkick Happy day 13 of March Matness!! It may well feel at times as if the world is still giving us a kick in the butt but perhaps we can just get it over with and do it ourselves?! Great for hip extension, glute and hamstring strength as well as spinal extension as you progress with the exercise. A great position to use for reading/screen time for yourselves and those around you! Thanks to Pilates for helping us counteract the effects of our forward flexed lifestyle habits! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 12 - Swan #swandive Happy day 12 of March Matness!! Today it's Swan Dive but we start off with Cobra prep. Spinal extension so important for us all to counteract the amount of time our spines spend in a flexed forward position! My back generally prefers thoracic extension and this is an important step for everyone to discover to avoid dumping load and pressure in the lumbar spine. Think more about the length of your spine rather than how high you may or may not be lifting! ⚠️Caution for Osteoporosis or low back pain - you may prefer to stay with thoracic extension rather than including lumbar extension Thanks to Pilates for counteracting the effects of our forward flexed lifestyle habits! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 11 - The Saw #saw Today it's The Saw combining spinal rotation and flexion which is quite loaded for the spine so only tackle this one if able to sit tall (prop up if you need to). Another movement that helps us to fully exhale so we can take a fuller inhale. ⚠️Not suitable for Osteoporosis or low back pain Thanks to Pilates for helping us to sit tall, mobilise our spine and breathe fully! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 10 - Corkscrew -alternative and preparation #corkscrew The full exercise does not suit my body well so I've shared a lovely alternative instead! ⚠️Not suitable for Osteoporosis or low back pain Thanks to Pilates for keeping our ego in check as well as keeping our practice evolving! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 9 - Rolling like a Rocker #rockerwithopenlegs Building on rolling like a ball and the shape you made with yesterday's Spine Stretch forward but with the challenge of extended legs which can be a tricky if hamstrings are tight! ⚠️Not suitable for Osteoporosis and Caution if back pain/conditions Thanks to Pilates for keeping things interesting and providing challenges to work through! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy day 8 of March Matness as well as International Women's Day! Today it's Spine Stretch forward! Working to sit tall and lengthen and mobilise your spine in flexion as well as using the movement to expel the old air out from our lungs enabling us to fill it back up with fresh air ideally! You may need to prop yourself up with a block or cushions if hips are a bit tight and/or keep the knees bent if necessary. ⚠️NOT suitable for Osteoporosis and Caution if low back pain - perhaps do a neutral lengthened hip hinge forward instead 🙏Thanks to Pilates for helping us to sit tall and huge thanks to my amazing female family, friends, teachers, colleagues and clients for your constant support and encouragement, you help lift me up so much and the world is such a better place when we can help each other.🙏🤗 Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy International Women's Day! 🎉So lucky to be surrounded by supportive and inspiring women, amongst family, friends, clients and colleagues. We can all achieve great things when we lift each other up! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 7 - Double Leg Stretch #doublelegstretch Building on yesterday's Single Leg Stretch and great to strengthen your centre and work on your alignment and co-ordination! ⚠️Head down (supported if necessary) and legs higher than shown for Osteoporosis and Caution if low back pain. You could also support head with hands in curl up position. Thanks to my Pilates community for lift each other up when we need it. Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 6 - One Leg Stretch - Single Leg Stretch #onelegstretch Great to strengthen and massage your centre and work on your alignment, co-ordination and stamina! ⚠️Head down (supported if necessary) and legs higher than shown for Osteoporosis and Caution if low back pain. Thanks to Pilates for helping us to learn to keep going even when the going gets tough! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 5 - Rolling back - Rolling like a ball #rollingback Some days we may feel like curling into a ball but let's try to roll with it for today. Using our strong centre to support and mobilise our spine in flexion, in a lengthened C curve. ⚠️NOT suitable for Osteoporosis and Caution if low back pain. ⚠️DO NOT land on the neck! Thanks to Pilates for helping us to roll like a ball rather than a brick, keeping us in touch with our inner child and to feel playful while massaging our spine! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 4 - One leg circles! #onelegcircles Today it's leg circles! Fabulous for oiling 🪔🛢our hips and working on our pelvic stability. If it's not possible to have legs lengthened and raised you can do with a bent leg too. Great to support either a bent or a straight leg with a band too. Thanks to Pilates for helping to keep our hips healthy and mobile! Have a lovely day! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 3 - Roll over! #rollover  Here is the video! See how the studio work of legs in straps and short spine massage (1st video) is so helpful to assist you in the matwork version of a roll over (2nd video). Put your feet up and gain perspective! 🙃 When things get a little topsy-turvy, why not join in?! This one is a challenge for me, I don't think my body proportions are on my side for the roll over - heavy bottom! 🤣🤦‍♀️  My back or neck are not always fans either! Using a overball or roller under the pelvis can help get that initial lift and recently I'm preferring to hold the uprights on the Cadi or Tower too. Working on the reformer is a huge help and support too.  If it's a new one for you it's best to work on with a teacher to help you get this one organised and avoid compression in your spine or neck.  Thanks to Pilates 🙏🏻 for giving me a challenge with this continuous work in progress! It's good to see things from a different perspective though!  Have a lovely day! ☀️💙

Happy March Matness Day 2 - Roll up! #rollup Here is a little video! Essential to find the lengthened C curve of your spine and articulate your spine within the range that you can control from your centre. This was one such a milestone for me postnatally, it took a look time for my diastasis recti to heal as I had a huge bump (looked like I'd swallowed a gym ball!!) so thanks to Pilates I was able to eventually do a roll up again. I remember excitedly telling my hubby about it and showing him a demo but sadly he didn't really share my enthusiasm! Have a lovely day! 💙

We're off... March Matness Day 1 is the 100. Make it you're own! Post whiplash my neck isn't super happy in unsupported flexion for long so I may support my head with my hand/s. You can always have legs higher or bent in a double knee fold, or bring your bent legs down so feet are on the mat. Maybe try 1 knee fold and opposite arm reach pulses as a great prep

Another positive sign of Spring 🌷🌼 is imminent! 🎉 It's that time again! March Matness is almost here! In case you're not aware, it's a global celebration of Joseph Pilates original matwork series @matchmatness I usually participate in some shape or form - but I may not have the energy or capacity to create completely new content this time round so will at least be sharing some from previous years which I hope will be helpful for you. If you're super keen to get going there's a link in the bio with a breakdown of options for each exercise as well as March Matness classes to play with at home! Enjoy! Sometimes we may revisit some variations of the exercises during our matwork classes - we'll see how we go! Please feel free to share your thoughts and insights as we go! Have a lovely weekend! 🤞🏻☀️💙

Hope you're doing well, Happy Valentine's Day to you!! 💖🌹Show yourself some love and care! This session was inspired from a previous Self-Love Valentine's Pilates & Yoga Retreat Event - taking care of your neck, shoulders and entire spine to help you open your heart with more ease. Covering: Relaxation position/Semi-supine, Side-lying, prone and four-point kneeling. It's just over 30 mins! Hope it's useful - let me know how you get on and if you need any help! 🧘‍♂️💙🧘‍♀️ Here's the link and you can find it in bio too: https://youtu.be/zPFxnIfpkYw Almost made it to half-term, phew! Finishing studio move over the coming week 🤞🏻 - please wish me luck and see you on the other side! Have a good weekend and week ahead! 💙

Last day with the Cadillac at the studio today, it's getting ready to move to a new home with me at the weekend! The rest of the studio equipment will follow over half-term! Can't wait! Will share more info soon!

On Friday mornings we wrap up the week @placeeightwellness - fabulous work as always everyone! Have a lovely weekend! 💙

🔸️On Wednesdays at 9.30am and 7.30pm we Zoom! These sessions are ideal if we have had the pleasure of working together in person at some point so I already know you and any individual needs you have or issues you may be working on. They're also a great catch up option if you can't make your regular matwork class, PLUS there is a huge library of class recordings available on a complementary basis to my regular matwork and studio clients! Perfect for extra practice and to take me with you on your travels!💻🛩

On Mondays 5 matwork classes in Stoke Hammond! Almost fully booked! Just 1-2 spaces left at 12noon! No Blue 🔵🚫Monday here, plenty of feel good movement 🧘‍♀️ and plenty of smiles and laughs!😀😅🤣 If you fancy joining us please get in touch for more info!

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are for marvellous Pilates matwork!🧘‍♀️ Every Pilates class with me will help you connect to your breath 🌬, release tension💆‍♂️, increase mobility🐍 🐈‍⬛️ and build strength and resilience through body and mind!💪🧠 We devote plenty of attention to the spine and posture, as well as shoulders, hips and our peripheral joints to ease any aches and pains. Most classes are currently full with waitlist except: 🔸️Mon 12noon class in Stoke Hammond 🔸️2 spaces available - get in touch if you'd like to join us or find out more! Happy Fri-Yay and weekend ahead! 💙

Tuesday and Thursday daytimes are for 1:1 and 2:1 Pilates studio sessions using Reformers, Cadillac, Chair and Arc - it's such a joy to share this work to help clients with pre-hab/rehab needs as well as its' incredible potential to mobilise, lengthen and strengthen the entire body!

A little bit of extra info and an attempt to tidy up the socials!

📣Pilates 1:1 & 2:1 Studio Sessions!📣 📍Studio Between Stoke Hammond & Great Brickhill📍 Heard about Reformer Pilates and wondering what all the fuss is about?🤔 Try it for yourself to find out! Plus Cadillac and Chair! Always plenty of feel good strengthening, mobilising, lengthening & smiles at sessions entirely bespoke to your needs from comprehensively trained, qualified and highly experienced teachers! ⭐Sessions with Louisa Tuesday and Thursday daytimes⭐ Investment for 1 hour 1:1 £50 or 2:1 £60. Get in touch for more info or to check availability if you'd like to use the power of the springs to move better and feel better! www.louisaharrispilates.co.uk/Studio PLUS!📣 ⭐Monday Matwork classes in Stoke Hammond⭐ ⭐Wednesday Zoom Matwork classes⭐ ⭐Friday Matwork classes Place Eight Wellness Swanbourne ⭐ www.louisaharrispilates.co.uk/Matwork

Hi!  👋🏻 Hope you've had a good week so far and that it's not been too painful getting back into some kind of routine this week! If you're new here, welcome!  I'm Louisa, a Pilates Specialist, teaching since 2009 (goodness feeling old!! 🤯😲), including matwork and studio equipment!  My mission is to help people move better to feel better, every body is welcome and able to benefit from adding the feel good functional movement of Pilates to your life! Here's a little peek👀 into our marvellous movers during matwork classes at Place Eight Wellness today!🧘‍♀️  Will tell you about studio sessions next time! If you're interested to get moving you can find my matwork schedule and available spaces below or do check out my extensive resources on YouTube which includes a Beginners Essentials Playlist as well as plenty of movement snack ideas: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisaHarrisPilates 🌟Mondays - Stoke Hammond MK FACE TO FACE CLASSES/Zoom🌟 🔸️9.15am Intermediate / Zoom option - FULL 🔸️10.30am Gentle / Improvers (Osteoporosis friendly) - FULL 🔸️12noon Improvers - 2 SPACES 🔸️6pm Beginners/Improvers - FULL 🔸️7.15pm Mixed Level Improvers/Intermediate - FULL 🌟Wednesdays - Zoom🌟 🔸️9.30am Mixed Level ZOOM 🔸️7.30pm Mixed Level ZOOM 🌟Fridays - Place Eight Wellness Studio, Swanbourne STUDIO🌟 🔸️9.40am - Mixed Level/Intermediate - FULL 🔸️11am - Improvers - 1 SPACE Have a great weekend, keep warm 🧣and take care💙

Yay! A few glimmers of sunshine back at the studio today! ☀️ Blink and you might miss it but it's better than nothing!! Fabulous to be back with you all! 💙

Hi!! 👋Hope you're keeping well and have had a lovely Christmas break! You're probably already being bombarded with marketing for 5 minute wonders regarding health & wellness jumping on the New Year's resolutions bandwagon - I believe it's the small and consistent sustainable habits that can be a real game changer! My annual message at this time of year is that there's ... Absolutely no need for a new YOU because you're wonderful just the way you are! In fact, maybe be even more YOU! Happy New Year!!🎉 Yet again, what a year it’s been for us all in so many different ways! It's been a busy one with a full schedule of matwork classes (Mondays Stoke Hammond, Wednesdays Online, Fridays at Place Eight Wellness) 🧘‍ and 1:1/2:1 studio sessions (an average of around 100 clients every week!) as well teaching wonderful Pilates Holidays in Tuscany, Sicily 🇮🇹 & Marrakech 🇲🇦 with @flavoursholidays 🙏🏻Thank you for sharing the journey with me and being in our Pilates community. Whether you're a past or present client or colleague It's a pleasure to have you in class and see and hear about the difference that your Pilates practice can make. For me the true power of Pilates is in the difference it can make to our lives outside of class and help to keep us doing whatever else we love to do. If you haven't yet joined us but are keen to be kind to yourself and incorporate some nourishing, functional, feel good and mindful movement for you may want to check out my YouTube Channel for a Beginners series as well as movement snack ideas for different areas of focus: https://www.youtube.com/c/LouisaHarrisPilates 🌟 hope it shines bright for us all. Please keep doing whatever makes your heart sing without caring what anyone else thinks about it! You're already amazing so continue to take care of yourself so you can keep shining and sparkling away! 🌟 Take care, Louisa 💙 www.louisaharrispilates.co.uk

Wishing you and yours a Wonderful Christmas🎄🎅 and a very Happy New Year🎉! THANK YOU AND SEASONAL GREETINGS! That's a wrap - all matwork classes and studio sessions finished for this year!! 🙏🏻Jana for the 📸 Mon evening! Big thanks also to the lovely ladies that joined me for our Pilates Christmas Lunch on Weds 11th Dec at the Dolphin in Stoke Hammond - time flew by with such great company and delicious food!!  Let's hope we can make this an annual event!  😋 Thank you for continuing to welcome our student teachers into classes, both in person and online, they gain so much from spending time with you all! Whether you're a past or present client or due to join me in the New Year, just a quick message to thank you all for your support over the past year.  It's a pleasure to have you in class and see and hear about the difference that your Pilates practice makes. Great to hear how you're sharing your Pilates gems with your family at home too!  For me the true power of Pilates is in the difference it can make to our lives off of the mat to help keep us doing whatever else we love to do. Please keep up your nourishing movement practice during the holidays, little and often is always better than not at all!  There should be almost 1000 🤯 recordings on Vimeo by the end of term (if you're a current matwork or studio client access is complimentary - ask me if you need a reminder of access details) and there's plenty on my Youtube channel too - Please subscribe!!  Thank you! I wish you a peaceful Christmas break with all the special people in your life and wish you every health and happiness for the year ahead. Thank you so much as always for your continued support, both on and off the mat - it's very much appreciated and I'm so happy to have you all as part of our Pilates community! I'll look forward to seeing you back on the mat very soon, whether online, in person. Many thanks Take care Louisa 💙

Pilates Christmas Tree 🎄efforts this year for Stoke Hammond Christmas Tree Festival this coming weekend 📆 7-8th Dec at St Luke's - it's looking beautifully festive already so do check it out if you can: 🌟Sat 10.45am-4pm 🌟Sun 11am-3pm Free entry with refreshments available too! 😋 Big thanks 🙏🏻 to my Mon Stoke Hammond classes who let me take festive pics this week for the Tree too, really brightening things up alongside my longstanding Pilates Elf 🧝‍♀️🧑‍🎄 🤣 baubles!! 🎄

It's Fri-Yay!!🎉 Seeking out any sunny spots I can! ☀️ So ready for the weekend after a great week back to matwork classes and studio sessions! Thank you all for joining me and making your shoulders soften, hips happier and spines slinkier! On this Black Friday 🛍 and during the season 🎁 ahead , please support small independent businesses, wellness & movement teachers, creators & artists etc where you can. Even if you're not in the market to purchase, your engagement on social media is hugely helpful for small businesses. Feel free to share your recommendations of your favourites below too! 👇🏻 Thanks so much 🙏 and have a lovely weekend! 💙

Pilates moments in the paradise of Marrakech @flavoursholidays Such a capable group! It has been such a joy to meet everyone and spend time together on and off the mat this week! Part 5 Looking forward to getting back to my studio and classes and seeing you all next week! 🧘‍♀️💙 Sorry I can't bring the sunshine back for you! We'll have to create our own! 😎

Magical Marrakech Exploring Majorelle Gardens and YSL museum @flavoursholidays Part 4

Magical Marrakech Exploring the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and enjoying a beautiful Kasbah, plus beautiful lunch at a lakeside restaurant @flavoursholidays Part 3

Magical Marrakech with our wonderful @flavoursholidays group Exploring the Medina Part 2

Magical Marrakech with @flavoursholidays Our beautiful villa and exploring Marrakech Part 1

Thank you 🙏🏻 @buxtoncrescentensana for another wonderful stay, great to have a few lovely days away with Mum, chilling out in the spa and enjoying the lovely town!

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🧙‍♀️🧹 Not really getting in to the 'spirit' of things so much this year as having a little break over half-term but here are a few pics from the last few years! New half-term block of classes and studio sessions starts next week! No tricks just plenty of nourishing feel good movement treats! Anyone fancy a Broomsticks class next week?? 🧹🧹🧹 Looking forward to seeing you soon! 💙

🙏🏻Thanks for another wonderful half-term of Pilates!  So proud of how brilliant and capable you all are! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 NO CLASSES NEXT WEEK for HALF-TERM - please dust of your mat and use Vimeo in the meantime!! We're back from the week of 4th November!📆 Thanks so much for bookings already received, if you haven't yet booked, please do so or message me asap.  You can find full info in email reminder sent just now!📧 Studio Equipment A local colleague of mine will be selling some barely used professional quality Pilates matwork equipment, once she sends me the details of what's available I will let you know as I'm aware that a some of you are interested in a few props! Seasonal Shopping If you're keen to be more organised than me with any seasonal shopping, lovely Michelle from our Mon 6pm class, provides some gorgeous personalised crafts and gifts, you can have a browse here: https://www.facebook.com/personalisedgiftsbyAnnaandMichelle Have a great weekend and half-term week ahead! Definitely ready for a little break! It's been a long half-term! Many thanks Take care Louisa 💙

Thanks to lovely Fiona for keeping her practice going while I was away in Sicily 😎☀️and keeping accountable by sending me proof that definitely made me smile!😀 I wanted to share the Happy Monday vibes with you!  Looking forward to our roller classes this week and counting down to a little break over October half-term! Every week classes are running 1 zoom class is recorded and available on a complementary basis to all active clients. It's a great way to get in extra practice, to take me with you on your travels and for you to keep moving when I'm away too!

🇲🇦Morocco is a country that has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by Arab, Berber, African, and European civilizations. Marrakech is a city that showcases this culture in its traditions, arts, and religions. The architecture of Marrakech reflects the Islamic, Andalusian, and French styles, in the mosques, palaces, and gardens. The cuisine of Marrakech is a fusion of Moroccan, African, and Mediterranean flavors, and the famous mint tea is a refreshing drink. The scenery of Morocco is also stunning, and Marrakech is a good base to explore it. The High Atlas Mountains are visible from Marrakech and offer scenic hikes, waterfalls, and rural retreats. The green valleys and oases around Marrakech are dotted with palm trees, olive groves, and almond orchards. The arid plains and deserts near Marrakech are home to nomadic tribes, camel caravans, and ancient kasbahs. The Atlantic coast is not far from Marrakech and has sandy beaches, fishing villages, and surf spots. Morocco and Marrakech are destinations that will amaze you with their culture and scenery. They are places where you can discover new things, have fun, and make memories. I cannot wait to offer a relaxing week-long Pilates 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️ retreat 📆 16-23 November with in Marrakech and if you fancy joining me for some winter ☀️sun there are a few more spaces available!!   All Pilates abilities are welcome, including Beginners - groups are small enough so we can really bespoke everything to your individual needs.  As well as 10 Pilates lessons during the week we'll also be able to explore markets, mountains (including an optional guided walk into the Atlas mountains), the Medina, the Majorelle Gardens as well as staying at a luxury villa with our own host and private chef! If you're keen to find out more please check this link: https://www.flavoursholidays.co.uk/pilates-holidays/marrakech-morocco/ Or call the UK Flavours office on Tel: 0131 343 2500 to speak to Caroline or Gareth for full information Flavours are a long established and reputable UK based travel company and specialist in providing solo traveller holiday experiences.

Just thinking about World Mental Health Day and wanting to encourage you to take a little time and care for yourself and those around you. Self care is not selfish, it is absolutely necessary for all of us to help us thrive and care for those around us too. I'm so lucky to have found Pilates and in more recent years Yoga and indoor cycling, as my main means of self-care - the complete mindful focus required on breathing, centring and moving really should use all your concentration so at least the other chatter in our minds has to step aside for a while and give our brain some much needed respite!   Moving well and re-establishing our mind-body connection is so valuable, to give us confidence in ourselves and to feel in control of our body rather than at its' mercy.  It has really helped me cope with many challenges in life over the years! We are all a work in progress and should try to talk as kindly to ourselves as we would do to our friends and family. I've been grateful today that my son is back to school so I can teach my studio sessions as well as my own practice. Try to take a few minutes to slow down each day, focus on one thing at a time! We're surrounded by distractions and it's tempting to multi-task every minute of the day but utterly exhausting!😴  Find yourself a comfortable space and focus on slowing down your breathing, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️ Notice sounds, sights and textures around you. Appreciate and find time for fresh air and the nature around us.🌲🌳🌼 Nourish yourself with good movement, as well as healthy food and plenty of water.🥥🥑🍌 Express gratitude each day for what you do have in your life, it's the simple things that can make such a difference.💙 Play your favourite song and sing and/or dance your heart out!💃🕺 Read, I prefer reading off screen but know I'm old school!  I love to read before fiction before bed and find it really helps me switch off.  🤔What would you add??  Take care of yourself and feel free to connect and talk to me, talk to those around you and find more sources of support here: 👇 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-heal

On Wednesdays we Zoom 🚀, morning and evening. The morning class is recorded and available on a complementary basis to all active clients. Super grateful 🙏🏻that so many of you still join me online, it's been a great way to keep our practice consistent and to take me with you on your travels - as the lovely Donna is demonstrating poolside in Spain!🏖

Wow! What a fabulous week to wrap up my time in stunning sunny Sicily this year!😎☀️ Another amazing group of strong, capable and inspirational women! Sooo many laughs🤣 and no subjects🤭 off limits! We enjoyed our time at a beautiful seaside villa and wonderful trips to Modica, Sampieri Beach, Scicli (extra special for Montalbano fans!!), Siricusa and Noto. We were spoilt rotten by our fabulous chef Massimo who prepared delicious food 😋 suitable for everyone's dietary requirements. Beans on toast for tea will most definitely be a come down! It was also an absolute pleasure to meet our wonderful host Omar who is absolutely a very good human👌🏻, a fount of knowledge🤯 about his county and beyond and a really lovely guy! I've enjoyed lots of Italian 🇮🇹 practice and made so many mistakes and learnt a lot!🤪 I hope I cross paths again with all the amazing people I've met over the last couple of weeks! Safe travels and Happy Sunday! Looking forward to seeing everyone back at classes and the studio this week! 💙

What a wonderful week of Pilates in sunny Sicily with @flavoursholidays and a lovely group of inspiring ladies! We were looked after amazingly well by our fabulous host Mihaela and incredible chef Pina! We enjoyed Pilates outside by the pool with beautiful birds flying overhead in the evening. Fantastic trips to Siricusa, Noto, Sampieri beach and Modica which was a favourite with everyone!

Delighted to be part of the @flavoursholidays Pilates teaching team! Thanks to Georgie for featuring me in the recent Flavours magazine as well as for choosing a pic with my eyes open! 🤣 Heading to stunning Sicily 😎☀️🇮🇹 at the weekend for 2 wonderful weeks with lovely guests! Huge thanks to Trevor & Nikki @move.better.academy for looking after most of my matwork classes while I'm away! Also 🇲🇦 Morocco 16th Nov 2025 🇮🇹 Sicily 1st June 🇮🇹 Sicily 8th June - private week just for my clients and only 1 space left!! 🇮🇹 Puglia 27th Sep 🇮🇹 Puglia 4th Oct Will pop link in the bio if you fancy a browse! Better keep working through my to-do list and get packing! Have a great weekend! 💙

Happy face in the sunshine as I had a chance to squeeze in a quick Reformer session just for me before heading home, and last time for me to be there for a couple of weeks too! Amazing work from all my studio clients these past few weeks, it's been such a pleasure! Keep up the great work while I'm away and look forward to catching up soon! 💙

Hi and hope you're keeping well.🌻 Can't believe we're heading towards the end of the summer holidays ☀️ - hope you've had a good few weeks!  I'm so honoured that so many of you have joined me over the summer holiday period either online, at Place Eight or at the studio - thanks so much!🙏🏻 I'm certainly looking forward to getting back to the full schedule of matwork classes and studio sessions, and seeing you all from tomorrow 2nd September!  It's feeling Autumnal 🍁🍂 and I'm definitely ready to resume some semblance of routine! It's a busy half-term coming up too!  3 weeks with me and then while I'm in Sicily with @flavoursholidays for 2 weeks Trevor @movebetterfitness will be looking after most of my matwork classes - thanks so much Trevor!  After shivering amongst the sunflowers 🌻this weekend I am definitely looking forward to some Sicilian sun!! 😎☀️🇮🇹 and can't wait to share it with a bespoke trip just for my clients in June 2025! Then I'll be back with you for 3 weeks before October half-term! See you back on the mat soon and good luck with all the back to school shenanigans!! 🙏🏻💙

The inimitable awesome @suedehq @heritageliveconcerts So excited to get myself in the thick of things close to the front!

The incredible @johnnymarrgram @heritageliveconcerts

A brief change from Pilates this week! Absolutely amazing time yesterday 😎☀️🎵🎶🪕🎸 @heritageliveconcerts seeing the incredible @suedehq and @johnnymarrgram Will share couple of clips next for those of you interested... It's wonderful to feel 17 again, shame it's not for too long!

My first weekend off of the summer holidays was well spent @bodycontrolpilates on the Cadillac 2/Tower course! It's been a while since I've been to BCP HQ so it was lovely to be back with a lovely group of teachers and fabulous tutors Sam for day 1 and Sarah for day 2. All of the studio equipment is amazing but I absolutely love the Cadi/Tower work, it feels great in my body and I love sharing it clients at the studio too! Luckily I have a Tower at home and a full Cadillac at the studio and I can't wait to play with the repertoire! Hope you're having a lovely weekend too! 😎☀️

Wow, we've made it! End of Summer Term! 😎 Plus there is actually some sunshine!! ☀️Hope you're there or almost there too!!🤞🏻 It was great to finally get outside at Place Eight but it was a hot and sweaty morning for me! Definitely needed a Matcha☕️ boost and a delicious celebratory end of term cake🧁 from @placeeightcafe Thank you! 🙏🏻😋 So much going on this term it's been a bit of blur, 2 week long holidays in Tuscany and 1 week in Sicily with Flavours 🇮🇹, otherwise usually around 20 hours of teaching looking after 100 people each week, in matwork classes face to face and online as well as private studio sessions! Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 all so much for joining me, I'm so lucky that you all make it such a pleasure! Love❤️ hearing what a difference your Pilates 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️makes for you, it's such a powerful tool to take care of yourself and you deserve every moment! I'll be teaching a reduced schedule for 4 out of the 6 weeks break which will include studio sessions, Weds 9.30am and 7.30pm Zooms and a Friday 10am Summer Special class at Place Eight. Looking forward to a change of routine and a bit of break! Also have a Pilates Cadillac training weekend at Body Control Pilates coming up and I can't wait! The Pilates Studio offers way more than Reformer, although it's a fabulous piece of apparatus too! Next term will wrap up the season with 2 weeks in Sicily🇮🇹. I've also been organising my 2025 dates with Flavours which includes a private Pilates holiday week just for my clients - I've shared the details with those of you who have already expressed an interest and will include more info in my summer newsletter which is coming up next on my to do list (and is a much more fun job than the tax return!!). Have a lovely weekend and summer holiday period!😎☀️ Take care and look forward to seeing you back on the mat soon! 💙

We did it!🎉 #jointheherd Donna & Amber set the pace to 5 mile point where they wrapped things up with Liz too! Jana and I didn't dare take a portaloo pitstop, we had to keep going! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️That didn't stop Barbara and Vanessa though who soon steamed past us and finished about 5 mins before us! We came in at about 3 hours 18 mins! Luckily just a little bit of drizzle close to the finish line! Very happy to get home and get trainers off for quick foam roll before bed before 3am! Hoping for a quietish day today 🥱😴 Thanks to all your amazing and generous support we've raised £1,115 so far! Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🐄💙 Hope you have a lovely weekend! X

It's my 6th Midnight Moo #midnightmoo2024 #jointheherd this evening! Looking forward to walking 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️ with lovely Jana, Barbara, Vanessa, Donna, Amber and Liz and really hoping it's not chucking it down the entire 10 miles! 🤞🏻 Thanks so much to the lovely ladies joining me tonight and to those of you who have joined me in previous years too ... Marita, Jenny, Shelley, Fiona, Donna, Mimi and some of you have even joined on more than one occasion.🙏🏻💙🐄🐮🚶‍♀️ It's getting harder each year as usually in bed by 10pm so no longer a night owl🦉 at all these days, just a boring exhausted pigeon! 🐦 (thanks Menopause!) Also hoping hip injury (in New Year) rehab holds out - thank goodness as always for Pilates and the wonderful @carolinemusgrove41👏🏻 I started joining the Midnight Moo in memory of a lovely friend and Pilates colleague Sue who was cared for by Willen 🦢 and always think of Sue during the walk, as well as so many other people in our community supported by Willen every day. Maybe see you there? Have a great night! 🥳 You can see my mat and props ready when I get back, hopefully before 3am 🥱😴 Please support our fundraising if you can. Link bio👆🏻 Thanks so much for all your generous support - over £1000 so far!! 💙🙏🏻💙

Being a silly Moo at classes today as we get ready for our MK Midnight Moo this coming Friday! @willen_hospice 🦢 #jointheherd Thanks so much for the support so far! 🙏🏻💙 Our dream team of Jana, Barbara, Vanessa, Donna, Amber, Mary, Liz and I are so grateful for your generosity! Over £700 raised so far! If you'd like to support us please find the link in the bio above 👆🏻 Please keep your fingers crossed 🤞🏻 that the weather improves too! Really hope it's not a soggy one! Thanks so much! 🙏🏻💙🚶‍♀️🐄🚶‍♂️🐮 Have a great day and week!

What an absolute joy to have lovely Marita @celtichoppy and her friend Diane in the studio, it was Diane's first time for Pilates and she did brilliantly and loved it - really hope she takes it up back home in LA!

It's that time again! Countdown to the Midnight Moo for Willen Hospice 2024 on 12th July!! 5 or 10 miles around MK starting at 10pm! We have our biggest team this year! Jana, Barbara, Vanessa, Donna, Amber, Mary & Liz are joining us! 🐮🐄🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🦢💙 🤔Anyone else joining? Look forward to seeing you there, it's always such a fun night! 🤔Any recommendations for cow ears headbands or cow print leggings?? 🐮🐄 Thanks so much for your support so far and if you'd like to contribute to our fundraising efforts you can find the link in the bio 👆🏻🙏🏻💙

What an amazing week at beautiful @valata_minusa in Sicily with @flavoursholidays! 🇮🇹☀️ Fabulous Pilates group that took on board all my feedback and tips, incredible to see progress everyone has made in their movement awareness both on and off the mat! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 We were so brilliantly looked after by wonderful Catherine ❤️ as our host and lovely Carmela as our incredible chef! 😋😋😋 Valata Minusa Villa is stunning with a real Sicilian flair everywhere, we even got to enjoy fabulous trips to Modica, Siricusa, Noto & Sampieri! As always sad to say goodbye to my lovely Pilates group and fantastic cooks this week but hope our paths cross again! 😎🤞🏻 Can't wait to be back to Sicily in the Autumn! Have a lovely rest of the weekend and hopefully see you all soon! 💙

What an amazing week in beautiful Tuscany with @flavoursholidays! 🇮🇹☀️ Fabulous Pilates group with 100% attendance that took on board all my feedback and tips, incredible to see progress everyone has made in their movement both on and off the mat! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 We were so brilliantly looked after by wonderful Margherita ❤️ as our host and Barbara as our incredible chef! 😋😋😋 San Luigi Villa is stunning, amazing views everywhere you look and we even got to enjoy fabulous trips to Volterra, San Gimignano, Firenze and a local Vineyard!🍷🥂 Sad to say goodbye to my lovely group at the airport but hope our paths cross again 🛫🤞🏻 but looking forward to meeting new guests for the coming week! 😎 Have a lovely weekend! 💙

Trying to stretch myself out on the Pilates Arc on the Cadillac, in an attempt to keep up with the height of the teenager at home! 😱🥳🎉🤣

Hello! 👋🏻 Sorry for the social silence!  It's been a while, the last few months have been a bit of a blur! Anyway, if you're new here, welcome! 🤗 I'm a Pilates Teacher for over 15 years 😮.  I teach small group matwork classes in Stoke Hammond Mondays, Wednesdays online and Fridays Swanbourne as well as studio sessions (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Arc) in Great Brickhill Tuesdays & Thursdays.  The weeks fly by and I'm so lucky to get to help my wonderful clients learn to move better and feel better, it's such a joy!🫶 I'm forever grateful to have discovered @bodycontrolpilates many years ago!  My Pilates practice has been a constant in my life and helped me hugely recover from various injuries over the years and to navigate different stages of life, along with their own unique challenges! I also love Italy 🇮🇹 and (re-) learning Italian and can't wait to combine sharing Pilates & getting some Italian practice in working with @flavoursholidays for Pilates holidays, in Tuscany & Sicily over the next few weeks!  Non vedo l'ora! Although still terrible at packing light 🤦‍♀️🤣- tips welcome! 🧳 1 more week left of classes with me and then huge thanks to Trevor @move_better_fitness_academy who'll be looking after most of matwork classes for me while I'm away! 🙏🏻 Hopefully see you soon! Spero che ci vediamo presto! 💙

Finally a chance to put my feet up with feet in straps once I finished today, the sun was lovely ☀️ when it briefly appeared! Hope you're having a good week! 💙

Happy March Matness Day 31 - Push Up #pushup @marchmatness Last day, Day 31 of March Matness today! The push up! A culmination of Joseph Pilates's repertoire. After a road traffic accident in summer 2013 (which wasn't my fault!) I suffered a left wrist dislocation and distal radius fracture (radius was shattered). The fracture was unstable and even after time in plaster required surgery to fixate it. Unfortunately I also developed complex regional pain syndrome (crps) which complicated rehab and recovery. It was an awful time and I was very lucky to receive so much help and support from family and friends. My son was tiny at the time and changing nappies etc one handed was a challenge! My wonderful clients used to pick me and my equipment up so I could still teach their class while I couldn't drive! Truly grateful that Pilates, Osteopathy @luton_osteopath and massage @carolinemusgrove41 enabled me to Return to Life and even get close to some sort of push up! The journey may be hard but every little bit of progress adds to up to something significant! 💙 📌If you'd like to dive a bit deeper please check links in bio👆🏻 to my Breakdown of each exercise playlist PLUS extra playlist of March Matness Inspired Balanced workouts too!! 🌠 Thank you all for getting involved with March Matness and providing so much support and inspiration 🙏 Have a lovely day! 💙

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 30 - Control Balance #controlbalance Another challenge for me and my heavy bottom! 🤦‍♀️🤣

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 29 - Rocking #rocking Always a challenge for me with my short arms 🦖🤣

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 29 - Rocking #rocking Always a challenge for me with my short arms 🦖🤣

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 28 - Seal 🦭 (no Crab 🦀) #seal

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 27 - Boomerang #boomeramg

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 26 - Side Bend #sidebend on elbows better for me due to metal mickey wrist

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 25 - Side Kick Kneeling #sidekickknelling

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 24 - Leg Pull Front & Back #legpullfront #legpullback

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 23 - Swimming 🏊‍♂️ 🏊‍♀️ #swimming

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 22 - Hip Twist #hiptwist

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 21 - Teaser #teaser

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 20 - Side Kick #sidekick

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 17 - Jack Knife #jackknife Another challenging one for my heavy bottom! 🤦‍♀️🤣

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 18 - Spine Twist #spinetwist

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 17 - Shoulder Bridge Dive #shoulderbridge

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 16 - Scissors ✂️ & Bicycle 🚲 with the foam roller #scissors #bicycle

For March Matness @marchmatness Day 15 - Neck Pull #neckpull