Pilates as a Lifeline: A Personal Journey of Strength, Recovery, and Resilience

A piece from a lovely client about her Pilates journey, recent injury and how her 8 years of Pilates has helped her heal quickly - to the joy of her physio!

Here's Jo's story:

I’ve been doing Pilates for around 8 years now. I originally started because my husband was having back troubles, and I wanted him to try Pilates to protect his spine.

Before my injury, my main goal was to build strength for the long term. I wanted to stay mobile and strong as I aged, especially after seeing my mum struggle with osteoarthritis. After childbirth, I was already dealing with a weakened core, so Pilates felt like the right step toward reclaiming my strength.

From the beginning, I loved the sessions. Holly brings a fresh routine every week, which keeps things interesting and challenging. I always leave feeling energized and grateful for the break from my desk. Pilates has made me more aware of my core, and I’ve even applied its principles to other workouts like HiiT.

Over time, I noticed real changes—especially in my pelvic floor strength. I felt proud of what my body could do again after the damage from pregnancy. Pilates helped me return to jogging and HiiT, which felt like a huge win.

Then came the injury. I slipped a disc while changing the bed—something so mundane, yet it left me in excruciating pain. I couldn’t walk more than a few steps, couldn’t drive, and was completely sidelined from daily life for weeks.

My physiotherapist diagnosed the injury through a physical exam, and that’s when Pilates became more than just exercise—it became my recovery scaffold. I continued with 1:1 sessions, which initially felt more like therapy. Holly listened, observed my limited movement, and even helped me prepare for my consultation with the BUPA physio. She adapted each session to my progress, incorporated my physio exercises, and created a daily plan that kept me moving forward.

Knowing how to engage my core was crucial during rehab. It gave me a foundation to build on and impressed even my physio when we started gym work. After six weeks, I could walk, sleep, drive, and be present for my family again.

Pilates didn’t just help me recover—it made that recovery possible. It’s given me invisible strength, and I can’t imagine life without it now. I’ve never stuck with any other exercise routine, but Pilates is here to stay.

To anyone considering Pilates for spine health or injury prevention: do it. It’s an investment in your internal strength. You might not get sweaty, but it’s hard work—and it’s worth every second. Just make sure you find a fabulous teacher who can guide you safely and effectively.