Essence Studio

08/11/2026

A little Pyrenean inspiration!

Over half term, I was lucky enough to spend five days visiting my friends at Zero Neuf, doing some research and planning for the retreat we’re running next year.

There was plenty of Pilates with mountain views, a mixture of flat and hilly walks, and even a little river dipping! But the highlight was a gentle hike in the Pyrenees to discover a thermal pond.

The two-hour circular walk felt almost Jurassic, as we followed the river up into the hills before arriving at this beautiful hidden spot. The water was over 30 degrees and felt just like stepping into a warm bath. We felt incredibly lucky to sit there, soaking in the warmth and enjoying the beautiful autumn colours across the hills opposite.

I’m so excited about this retreat I am co hosting with the ‘dream team’ Zero Neuf and Surrey Souls 💕

Retreat curious? You can find out more information on our hosts website, Zero Neuf - https://zeroneufcycling.cc/hike-dip-yoga/

03/11/2026

Sometimes you just need to go back to the basics…

After coming out of a 10-day antibiotic slump, battling a nasty eye infection, fever and a head cold, I’ve spent the last couple of days ‘working from home’.

And I have NEVER missed my rather fancy desk chair and desktop computer quite so much! Sitting at my dining room table, perched on a chair laden with cushions, working from a laptop, has left my body feeling somewhat broken.

It’s times like these that, despite having hundreds of lesson plans floating around in my own head, I reach for one of my many Pilates reference books.

Today it was this little gem: Pilates Anatomy. A book I’ve owned for around 15 years, and one that has been thumbed through, studied, scribbled in and referred to so many times that its pages are literally falling out.

My Women’s Health Big Book of Pilates by 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 | Pilates Educator c. 1994 isn’t faring much better. That one is currently being held together with elastic bands! 😂

But there’s something rather comforting about returning to these old friends. They hold so much knowledge, inspiration and experience, and sometimes, when your brain is feeling as foggy as mine has been, you don’t need to think, plan or create. You just need to open a book, follow a programme and move.

Today I followed this 30-minute Fundamental Pilates programme, and it was EXACTLY what my stiff, achy body needed.

Even after 17 years of Pilates practice, I never stop appreciating what this method gives me. Living with scoliosis and spinal fusion means I’m particularly aware of how my body feels, and how much difference thoughtful movement can make.

Pilates isn’t always about pushing yourself, progressing to the next level or mastering the more challenging exercises.

Sometimes it’s simply about coming back to the fundamentals, reconnecting with your body, easing out the stiffness and giving yourself a little bit of care.

And today, that’s exactly what I needed.
❤️

21/10/2026

First snow on the Pyrenees and first non heated dip of the season - Retreat planning in the midi Pyrenees. 🇫🇷

06/10/2026

The Space Between..
August 8th – August 13th, 2027

We’re bringing together a group of women for a restorative break in the beautiful French Pyrenees.

We’ll walk, swim, stretch, eat and explore together, with the freedom to find your own pace along the way. surreysouls zero__neuf

The Space Between.. August 8th – August 13th, 2027 Hike, Dip and Yoga Retreat We’re bringing together a group of women for a restorative break in the beautiful French Pyrenees. We’ll walk, swim, stretch, eat and explore together, with the freedom to find your own pace along the way. There’ll...

03/10/2026

Teaching is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be physically and mentally demanding. Creating even a small window in the school week for teachers to pause, breathe, move and reconnect with their bodies can make such a difference.

For me, Pilates is about so much more than the physical practice. It’s about reducing tension, creating space to breathe, and giving people permission to put themselves first for a little while.
I’m so grateful to Fullbrook School for prioritising staff wellbeing and for allowing me to be part of that journey.
And to all the teachers who turn up, roll out their mats and give themselves that time — thank you. 🧘‍♀️❤️

01/10/2026

✨ I’m so excited to finally share this beautiful retreat with you! ✨

I’m absolutely delighted to be collaborating with surreysouls and zero_neuf_ on this retreat!

It’s a collaboration that feels really aligned with what I love to create; bringing people together, creating space to pause, reconnect, and enjoy something truly meaningful.

We’ve been putting lots of love and thought into this, and I am excited to share these details with you and, hopefully, welcome some of you along. 💛

If you’ve been craving some time away, a chance to reset, connect and be looked after, this could be just what you’ve been looking for.

I’m genuinely SO excited about this collaboration and can’t wait to bring it to life! 🌿✨

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd9kPAQCAGj/?stkn=bXhubHdnd2V6M2xw

09/09/2026

So good to be back 🤗

Full house tonight in both classes 🙌🏼

7pm - Mixed Ability Pilates
8pm - Foam Roller Pilates and guided relaxation

So good to see you all this week - first week back has been fab!

31/08/2026

What a wonderful summer of movement, thanks to everyone who joined me. The summer sun may well be fading but Pilates (Essence) will be here to keep you moving through every season. ☀️ 🍂 ❄️ 🌺

The Autumn term starts on Saturday 🍂

Limited spaces available in the following classes:

Saturday 8am Pilates for Back Care Essence Garden Studio

Wednesday 7pm Mixed Ability Pilates
The Bisley Yurt | Yurtie & Enchanted Studio

Wednesday 8pm Foam Roller Pilates & Relaxation
The Bisley Yurt | Yurtie & Enchanted Studio

Book your mat space on Gymcatch - link in bio 🔗

19/08/2026

Last class of the summer term. Pilates with the mini band and ball. We were having way too much fun this evening, so only managed to get a few quick clips; I’ll never look at and her shiny ball in the same light 😆🫣😆

Why add props?

Small pieces of Pilates equipment, such as the mini ball and loop band, can enhance and support your Pilates practice. They can also make exercises more challenging by creating instability, or by shifting your focus from simply performing the movement to concentrating on the technical aspects of it.

This evening was a fun and challenging class, thanks for showing up guys 💋

Autumn term starts on the 5th September with limited mat spaces in the following classes:

Saturday 8am Pilates for Back care
1 space

Tuesday 5:30pm Gentle Flow Pilates
1 space

Wednesday 7pm Mixed Ability Pilates
Spaces

Wednesday 8pm Foam Roller Pilates & Guided Relaxation
2 spaces

6 week term bookable via Gymcatch - link in bio

01/08/2026

Classes over August ☀️

Monday 3 August
7:30pm Mixed Ability Pilates - FULL

Tuesday 4 August
5:30pm Gentle Flow Pilates - FULL

Wednesday 5 August
7pm Pilates 34, Mixed Ability - FULL

Monday 10 August
7:30pm Mixed Ability Pilates - FULL

Tuesday 11 August
5:30pm Gentle Flow Pilates - FULL

Saturday 15 August
8am Pilates for back care - 1 space
9:15am Gentle Flow Pilates - 2 spaces

Wednesday 19 August
7pm Pilates with props - 4 spaces

If the class you want to do is full you can add yourself onto the waitlist and I will notify you of any cancellations.