Health and Fitness / Pilates
Restoring the mind-body connection with Pilates
From mat practices to reformer machines, the growing Pilates trend has taken Bristol by storm, with a number of new studios opening across the city.
RISE Pilates, a boutique studio in the heart of Bedminster, champions the restorative power of Reformer Pilates.
The practice involves strength, flexibility and mobility training using a spring-based resistance machine.
is needed now More than ever
Founder Stefani Carley-Smith set up RISE 11 years ago, running the studio with nine other Pilates and physiotherapy specialists who focus on injury rehabilitation and mental wellbeing.
Stefani Carley-Smith set up RISE Pilates 11 years ago – photo: Alexandra Hill
The scent of floral incense fills the beautiful sunlight-filled five-person studio tucked within Redpoint Bristol.
“We want to restore the mind-body connection with our practice,” says Stefani.
“We keep the classes small so we can really get to know someone’s background and goals. We care a lot about personal experience.”
With slow, controlled movements focusing on fine tuning the small muscle groups, Pilates differs from other forms of low-impact, strength training exercises such as Yoga, Barre and HIIT.
Over the past two years, Reformer Pilates has become popular on social media with many celebrities turning to the holistic practice.
RISE is found within the Redpoint climbing centre – photo: Alexandra Hill
Noticing an increased demand for membership particularly amongst a younger demographic, Stefani praises the social media influence for helping Pilates to reach a wider audience, but also reflects on the downsides too.
“It has been amazing to see Pilates rise in popularity but I do see the consumerism and aestheticism in it.
“I would personally always come back to the principles of the practice.”
Prior to the popularity surge of Reformer Pilates, Stefani explains that the practice was only to do with rehabilitation, the machines themselves having been built with the purpose of rehabilitating soldiers in the Second World War.
In fact, it was this healing power of Pilates that inspired Stefani to train as an instructor after her husband suffered a bad climbing accident and was rehabilitated through the practice.
“Pilates and physiotherapy were the two things that got him back to walking again so I decided to train as a Pilates instructor and he went into physiotherapy.
“I’ve been an instructor for almost 16 years now and nothing is more rewarding than getting people back into movement.”
Main photo: Alexandra Hill
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