Pilates
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on building core strength, improving posture, increasing flexibility, and enhancing balance. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, and can be adapted for rehabilitation, injury prevention, or general wellbeing.
At Karhu Health, Pilates is physio-led — designed and delivered by a qualified physiotherapist. This means every movement is safe and tailored, giving you expert guidance to move well, recover confidently, and stay strong for life.
Pilates with Saara
Saara has been teaching Pilates for over 13 years and runs a thriving programme of small-group classes from her Studio in West Kington and in Sherston. Her classes are structured to suit different levels — from beginners through to advanced — and have grown steadily through word of mouth, with many running at full capacity and with waiting lists.
As both a physiotherapist and Pilates instructor, Saara combines clinical insight with movement expertise to create sessions that are effective, inclusive, and empowering.
Matwork Pilates
Matwork teaches you how to own and control your movement. It builds the fundamentals of Pilates — developing core strength, postural control, and balance, as well as flexibility and mobility that you carry into everyday life.
Without equipment to guide you, every muscle has to activate on its own. This builds body awareness and strengthens the connection between your brain and body — developing coordination and control that can be improved at any age.
Matwork is ideal for building strength from the inside out, supporting injury prevention, and developing the skills that help you do the things you love — whether that’s gardening, horse riding, cricket, or lifting your children or grandchildren.
Karhu Health's matwork classes use bodyweight and small props to add variety and challenge. Classes are small, supportive, and tailored to ability level, with options for beginners, mixed ability, and advanced participants.
Equipment Based Pilates
For beginners, those in rehabilitation, or elite athletes alike, the resistance of the springs provides real-time feedback — highlighting imbalances, offering support where needed, and building deeper strength and control as you progress. hese specialist tools created by Joseph Pilates both support and challenge the body at every stage of progression
Each session is guided by physiotherapy expertise, ensuring exercises are adapted to your body, goals, and stage of recovery or training. Whether you’re rebuilding after injury, returning to sport, or seeking to refine performance, you’ll move safely, confidently, and effectively.
Reformer is only bookable as a 1:1, but small group bespoke sessions of up to 4 people, or larger group classes of up to 8 people are available on all other equipment.
1:1 Pilates sessions combine matwork and equipment-based movement for a fully personalised experience. The reformer, combo chair, tower, and spine corrector — all designed by Joseph Pilates — are tools that both support and challenge your body at every stage.
Who can join?
Pilates is suitable for everyone. Whether you’re new to exercise, recovering from surgery, managing a long-term condition, or simply looking to feel stronger and more mobile, sessions are adapted to your needs.
Because all classes and 1:1 sessions are led by a physiotherapist, any injuries or concerns are always taken into account.
Pre-Class Assessment
Before joining a group Pilates class, all new participants are invited to a complimentary pre-assessment with Saara.
This one-to-one session is a chance to go through your health questionnaire, discuss any injuries or health concerns, and talk about how these might affect you during class. Saara will also introduce some of the key Pilates principles and terminology used in sessions, helping you feel confident and at ease before your first class.
The pre-assessment ensures everyone starts with the same foundation of understanding and allows Saara to recommend the most suitable class for your individual needs and goals. It’s a friendly, informative way to begin your Pilates journey and sets you up for success from the very start.
Where are Karhu Health Pilates classes held?
Karhu Health @ Latimer Studio
West Kington, SN14 7JQ
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All pre-Pilates assessments
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All physiotherapy appointments
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Group Pilates classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday & Fridays
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All 1:1 Pilates
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Bespoke small group Pilates
Sherston Village Hall
High St, Sherston, SN16 0LQ
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Group matwork Pilates classes with Saara on Tuesdays
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Group matwork Pilates classes with Hannah on Wednesdays & Thursdays