Essence Studio

Essence Studio Pilates classes in St. Johns and Bisley. I am a qualified level 3 Matwork Pilates Instructor. Joseph Pilates

What is matwork Pilates? What will you need?

Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body. Instead of focusing on the superficial muscles, Pilates targets the deep stabilising muscles within the body and practice will improve posture, strength, function and movement of the joints, core strength and flexibility. I am passionate about the benefits of Pilates on your body, min

d and overall wellbeing, and would like to share this passion with you! I have scoliosis and started my journey into Pilates following a recommendation to practice it by my Back Consultant in 2008. I started attending one class a week and soon progressed to two classes a week and not only noticed a vast improvement in my day to day pain reduction, but also a big change in my posture and body shape.

'With Pilates you will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 and have a new body in 30'. With the focus on core stability, benefits of matwork Pilates include longer, leaner muscles, improved posture, reduced risk of injury and enhanced performance of your body. The Pilates exercises are a form of dynamic stabilisation retraining that reconditions the body from the central core. All equipment, including mats, will be provided for you. In some of my session I will use small Pilates equipment such as bands, balls, rollers, toning circles and weights to ensure a challenging and varied class each week. What to wear? Non-restrictive comfortable clothing (t-shirt, leggings, tracksuit) and socks. Trainers are not required

Over the past 6 months I have been teaching a free Pilates class at work as part of our staff wellbeing program.  It has...
18/07/2025

Over the past 6 months I have been teaching a free Pilates class at work as part of our staff wellbeing program. It has been an absolute pleasure running the class but also a joy getting to know members of staff who I might not have necessarily met through my role.

Today I was lured into the staff to ‘do something urgent’ only to be greeted by some of my lovely Pilates peeps with these beautiful flowers, a lovely card and a garden centre voucher !! Those of you that know me know I’m rarely lost for words but on this occasion I was….. 💗

A lovely last session at  this evening. 2 hours of Pilates, Foam Roller and Relaxation 😌I will be running drop in sessio...
16/07/2025

A lovely last session at this evening.

2 hours of Pilates, Foam Roller and Relaxation 😌

I will be running drop in sessions over the summer here and at my home studio. Alternatively join me online and take me on holiday ☀️ 💻 Pool side Pilates is the BEST!!

Late availability in tomorrow’s two classes at  7pmMixed Ability Pilates2 spaces8pmFoam Roller Pilates3 spaces
15/07/2025

Late availability in tomorrow’s two classes at

7pm
Mixed Ability Pilates
2 spaces

8pm
Foam Roller Pilates
3 spaces

Sunday reset ☀️🥰This mornings visit to the .sauna for a sauna and numerous sea dips was just what was needed today ☀️ 🌊....
13/07/2025

Sunday reset ☀️🥰

This mornings visit to the .sauna for a sauna and numerous sea dips was just what was needed today ☀️ 🌊.

These 4 hours at Bracklesham Bay felt like a mini break, leaving my feeling re energized and ready for the last full week of the summer term.

If you have a catch up classes to do before the end of the summer term. I have spaces in the following classes:

Tuesday 15th July
5:30pm Gentle Flow Pilates

Wednesday 16th July
8pm Foam Roller Pilates

Summer holiday classes will be released in the next few days so keep an eye on your emails 📧

Change of venue for Tuesday nights Pilates classes.Tomorrow evenings classes will be held at the  🌺 A beautiful location...
30/06/2025

Change of venue for Tuesday nights Pilates classes.

Tomorrow evenings classes will be held at the 🌺

A beautiful location where you will be well shaded and kept cool by the evenings summer breeze during the following 3 classes:

5:30pm - 1 Space
Gentle Flow Pilates

7:00pm - FULL
Mixed Ability Pilates

8:15pm - FULL
Mixed Ability Pilates

An email with address details has been sent to all participants.

#

Pilates & Posies 💐 🧘🏻‍♀️ Saturday 28th June2pm - 4:30pm Its been a while since I’ve collaborated with another local busi...
24/06/2025

Pilates & Posies 💐 🧘🏻‍♀️
Saturday 28th June
2pm - 4:30pm

Its been a while since I’ve collaborated with another local business and I am so excited that my first collab of 2025 is with the FABULOUS Andy AKA

An afternoon in the glorious meadows at the Chobham Flower Farm practicing Pilates followed by a Posy making workshop.

Bringing together movement, and creativity in green space; a perfect combination for an afternoon of self-care and wellness 🧘🏻‍♀️💐

Interested? Email either my self or Andy rhian@pilatesessence.co.uk / andymheslop@gmail.com

Another day another selfie 🤪On Thursdays I teach a class to teachers and support staff at Fullbrook School as part of th...
12/06/2025

Another day another selfie 🤪

On Thursdays I teach a class to teachers and support staff at Fullbrook School as part of their staff wellbeing programme.

This is completely free to staff and organised by their employee lead wellbeing team.

Feedback from the class:

“Such a great way to switch off and destress”

“Great that I can do it straight after work, so I can’t talk myself out of it on my way home’

“The difference I feel at the end of the class is amazing! More stretched, less stressed”

“Oh god! I can still feel my abs from last weeks class”


After a long day in the office I love teaching at this beautiful space on a Wednesday evening.  7pm Mixed Ability Pilate...
11/06/2025

After a long day in the office I love teaching at this beautiful space on a Wednesday evening.

7pm
Mixed Ability Pilates

8pm
Foam Roller Pilates with guided relaxation

For more information about these classes email rhian@pilatesessence.co.uk 📧

Happy 1st June everyone ☀️ 🤔 🌧️ 😆The first month of summer, my birthday month and ironically Scoliosis Awareness Month, ...
01/06/2025

Happy 1st June everyone ☀️ 🤔 🌧️ 😆

The first month of summer, my birthday month and ironically Scoliosis Awareness Month, reminding me of the reason I started practicing Pilates 17 years ago!

Unfortunately due to a knee and foot injury at the end of April my own personal Pilates practice has greatly reduced resulting in an overall feeling of stiffness throughout my body, and I for one can’t wait to get my body back on my pilates mat.

If like me you have let your Pilates practice lapse a little remember to be kind to yourself and remind yourself that ‘life’ happens and sometimes despite good intentions life can get in the way, whether like me its because of an injury or you may be feeling overwhelmed; your life plate might be full and Pilates may have felt like a little too much to add to the mix, and that’s okay 👌🏼

After a lovely week of walks with Eddie the Pilates wonder dog I’m ready to unroll my mat and do my Pilates thing 🙌🏼 are you ready to join me?

If you fancy adding Pilates to the mix this week, I’ve got space in the following classes:

Monday 2nd June
7:30pm Mixed Ability Pilates

Tuesday 3rd June
5:30pm Gentle Flow Pilates

Wednesday 4th June
8pm Foam Roller Pilates & guided relaxation

Book through Gymcatch, search for Essence Studio as fitness provider.

14/05/2025

As says in this song, “it feels so good”, to move your spine.

Always love teaching at the and this evenings class was no exception. A room full of beautiful people (and a Jack Russell), a gentle warm breeze flowing through the space and an hour of moves, twists and bends 🫶

Some lovely feedback after the class, one particularly client messaged and asked for a recording of the same class as it felt so good on her spine.

…….”I was wondering if you had a recording of a similar session to the 7pm one this evening please? It was so brillliant for improving spine flexibility, and I really felt better afterwards as flexibility in my spine is a big issue!”…..
💗
I may have one in the online library, but it might be easier if I record tonight’s class for you all this weekend and add it to the online library 👍🏻💋 This will be free to term paying clients and be included in the online pass for my online clients.

Happy Wednesday everyone and thanks for joining me this evening 🙏

Its been a while since I’ve collaborated with another local business and I am so excited that my first collab of 2025 is...
13/05/2025

Its been a while since I’ve collaborated with another local business and I am so excited that my first collab of 2025 is with the FABULOUS Andy AKA

An afternoon in the glorious meadows at the Chobham Flower Farm practicing Pilates followed by a Posy making workshop.

Bringing together movement, and creativity in green space; a perfect combination for an afternoon of self-care and wellness 🧘🏻‍♀️💐

Check your inbox for more information 📧

This morning I worked with a client who has been doing Pilates for over 20 years and has been coming to my classes for 7...
15/04/2025

This morning I worked with a client who has been doing Pilates for over 20 years and has been coming to my classes for 7 years. She is over 70, plays golf at least twice a week, often more and has scoliosis. She is strong, and flexible but has noticed recently that she needs to focus a little more on doing more scoliosis focused strengthening so came to me today for a 1:2:1.

Some of the things we worked on:
Elongation
Lateral thoracic breathing
Squaring the box
Strengthening the weaker side
Correction of the convexity
Oh and did I say elongation…. anyone with scoliosis will now how great this is 🩻

Whether you’ve been doing Pilates for 5,10…20 years it can be really beneficial to do a 1:2:1 with your instructor, whether it’s to revisit the fundamentals, check that you haven’t fallen into any bad habits or to focus on working on exercises specific to your body.

Despite being a Pilates instructor and being able to hop on my mat and ‘do’ Pilates I always like to check in with another instructor from time to time for a 1:2:1 - those instructor eyes never miss a trick 👀

Address

Woking

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 9:30am
Tuesday 9:30am - 9:30am
Wednesday 9:30am - 8:15pm
Thursday 9:30am - 8:15pm
Friday 9:30am - 1pm
Saturday 9:30am - 1pm
Sunday 9:30am - 11am

Telephone

+447789552675

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