1. Protect yourself first

Christmas is already busy enough. Parties, family, present shopping, travel, trying to see everyone you love in about four days. And here’s the bit nobody talks about: it’s also when our income takes a hit. Clients go away, classes get cancelled, studios close, and all the while you’re spending more than any other month of the year on presents, nights out and festivities.

So when the cover requests start rolling in, it’s really tempting to say yes to all of them. It’s extra money exactly when you need it, someone needs help, and it feels good to be the reliable one.

But more work in December is one of the fastest routes to burnout I know. For a lot of instructors, that’s saying yes to every cover request that lands in the group chat. For me, the last few Christmases it’s been head down building our January challenges, filming class after class and getting everything ready for the busiest month of the year, while everyone else was on the sofa watching films. By the time January arrived, the platform was ready and I wasn’t. Whether it’s extra classes or your own projects, the result is the same: you start the year already running on empty.

The fix isn’t saying yes to everything or working straight through Christmas and the days in between. It’s planning ahead. Look at what you earned last December, expect fewer classes, and put a bit aside now so a quiet couple of weeks doesn’t send you into panic mode or have you grabbing every cover going. And if you’ve got your own January plans, start them now, not between Christmas and New Year. If you’re self-employed in the UK, don’t forget your self-assessment tax is due on 31 January too, right in the middle of the busiest month. Future you will be so grateful you sorted it before Christmas.

2. Keep growing, not just grinding

When you’re teaching lots of classes, it’s so easy to fall into autopilot. Same flows, same cues, same favourite exercises on repeat. You’re showing up, but you’re not really growing.

So I’ve started protecting one morning a week just for learning. Every Wednesday, no classes, no admin, no filming. Just me, a matcha and whatever topic or course I’m working through. Right now that’s a dynamic strength course and a strength reformer course, and honestly it’s already changed how I teach. What I previously thought was ‘Strength Pilates’ wasn’t, and it’s made me rethink how I programme for load, progression and actually challenging my clients.

It doesn’t have to be a full morning or an expensive course. It could be an hour with a workshop recording, taking a class from an instructor you admire, or going back through your training manual with fresh eyes. The point is making learning something that’s in the diary, not something you’ll get round to in January.

And if you want somewhere to start, this is exactly why I created The Aligned Method Mat & Reformer Repertoire. So many instructors I speak to know the exercises, but want a deeper understanding of what they’re actually teaching. How to set people up properly. The cues that actually land. What to look for, the common errors and how to correct them. Which muscles should be working, and the why behind every single exercise.

That’s what’s inside. Video breakdowns of every essential and intermediate Mat and Reformer exercise, follow-along classes, and a community of instructors who are just as obsessed with getting it right as you are. It’s the kind of thing you can work through on your own learning morning, one exercise at a time, and take straight into your next class.

MAT AND REFORMER REP RESOURCE

Don’t write off the rest of the year

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I get it. I really do. Because when I started, I couldn’t afford it either.

Where I was

In 2022 I was a school teacher living in Surrey. If you know Surrey, you know it’s not cheap. Nobody goes into teaching for the money, and by the time rent and bills had gone out each month, there was basically nothing left. Definitely not enough for a proper Pilates qualification.

I could have stopped there. Looking at my bank balance, “I can’t afford it” was a completely reasonable answer.

But I wanted it badly enough to ask a different question. Not “can I afford it?” but “how could I pay for it?”

The shift

So I went to my school and asked if I could run my own after-school dance club. Not as part of my teaching job. As my own little business. I’d hire the hall, set the price, and keep what I made.

They said yes. With a catch. I could only run it if I stayed on afterwards to do extra work. So I did. Full teaching day, then the club, then staying late, then home to do the prep and organising for the next week.

I charged £10 a child. It was full every single week. Thirty kids. That’s £300 an hour.

Once I’d paid for the hall hire, insurance and my tax, every penny of what was left went on my STOTT training.

And once I’d started training, I added two Pilates classes straight after the club. Same hall, same evening, more hours I could put towards the next stage.

I couldn’t believe my bank account when I saw all this extra money coming in.

Was it easy money? Honestly, no. It was extra hours on top of a job that already took everything out of me. But it was so worth it.

Then I kept going

I did my Mat course in April 2022 and Reformer that September. When I moved schools, I didn’t let the dance club go. I kept going back to run it. Then I started two cheerleading clubs, one at my old school and one at my new one. I ran holiday clubs too, and roped my mum in to help me. I also picked up tutoring on the side, three kids at £40 an hour each.

My angel mother helping me at my holiday club above

All of it went into my training.

Here’s the bit I really want you to hear. Not one of those opportunities was offered to me. Nobody came looking for me with extra work. I had to put myself forward. I had to ask. Sometimes I had to ask again. Opportunities don’t just land in your lap. You have to go and get them.

Why I didn’t go for the cheapest option

I could have found the cheapest course going. Loads of people do, and I understand why.

But I knew that when studios are hiring, they look at where you trained. There are so many instructors now. I wanted my qualification to be the thing that made me stand out, and I wanted the depth that would make me a genuinely good teacher, not just a qualified one.

I passed my STOTT exams with 96% overall.

INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

In July 2023 I left teaching for good. In January 2024 I launched The Aligned Studio, then spent a year filming classes across Southeast Asia and Australia.

All of that started with a school hall and a dance club full of thirty kids.

It felt like a huge amount of money at the time. Looking back, it’s the best money I’ve ever spent.

Your version of this

You might not work in a school. You might not have a hall full of kids desperate to learn a dance routine. That’s fine. The specifics don’t matter.

The question does.

So instead of “can I afford it?”, ask “how could I fund it?”

Below, I’m walking you through the exact steps I’d take if I were starting again today. How to work out what you could offer, where to find your first opportunity, and how to turn the cost of your course into a number that actually feels doable.

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If you’re a newly qualified instructor, or you’re about to sit your exam, I want to ask you something.

Do you actually see yourself as a Pilates instructor yet?

Not “someone who’s done the course”. Not “someone who’s still learning”. An actual instructor. Someone who walks into a studio, stands at the front of a room and teaches.

Because I talk to so many of you who know the repertoire, have done the hours and could absolutely teach a brilliant class. And you’re still terrified. Terrified to apply for jobs, to post a video of yourself teaching, to sit your exam.

That’s not a skill problem. And I heard something recently that explained exactly why.

The podcast

I was listening to the Working Hard podcast, and Grace had mental fitness expert Maya Raichoora on to talk about self-image. One line stopped me: it’s very difficult to outperform your self-image.

Maya describes your self-image as a thermostat. Whatever you believe about yourself, you’ll keep getting pulled back to that setting. If you see yourself as shy, you won’t speak up. If you see yourself as not very confident, you’ll hesitate. Your self-image shapes your thoughts, your thoughts shape what you do, and what you do creates your results.

She told a story about a client who was more than capable of getting a promotion. Everyone around her believed she could do it. The only person who didn’t was her. So she second-guessed herself, avoided opportunities and kept playing small. Not because she couldn’t do the job, but because she couldn’t see herself doing it.

When I heard that, I thought of every new instructor I’ve spoken to.

What this looks like for you

If you still see yourself as “not a proper instructor yet”, it shows up everywhere.

You over-apologise in class. You go quiet on your cues because you’re worried you’ll get something wrong. You don’t apply for the studio job because surely they want someone more experienced. You put off booking your exam for another few months, then another few. You don’t post on your own page because who are you to be teaching anyone?

None of that is about how good you are. It’s about who you think you are.

And the good news is that’s something you can change. I know, because I had to.

My story

Before I trained, this is how I saw myself: a broke teacher with no freedom, no idea what I was doing, and awful at anatomy.

That last one stuck. Even once I was training, I was convinced I wasn’t clever enough for the anatomy side. So I delayed my exam. I told myself I needed more time, more practice, more revision. Really, I didn’t believe I was the kind of person who’d pass.

I passed my written exam with 97%.

The anatomy wasn’t the problem. The story I was telling myself about the anatomy was. (Although getting properly organised with my revision helped a lot too. It’s why I created my STOTT instructor study resources, so you don’t have to feel like I did.

INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

Here’s the interesting bit though. Applying to studios didn’t scare me nearly as much. I was a bit nervous asking about that very first one, but before I even started my training, I’d spent a long time working on my mindset. So once I’d done it once, putting myself forward for jobs felt normal. That part of my self-image had already started to shift.

Putting myself on camera was a different story. I was absolutely terrified. Speaking to camera, posting content, letting people see me teach. I hadn’t done the work on that bit yet, so it felt impossible. Now creating content is part of my actual job.

That’s the thing about self-image. It isn’t one switch. It’s lots of small beliefs, and you can change them one at a time.

How I changed it

There was no single moment. It was years of chipping away.

I read a lot of books. I journaled. I learned about the mind wherever I could, YouTube, podcasts, courses, anything I could get my hands on. But the thing that made the biggest difference was the Activations app.

Activations are a mix of motivational podcasts, cinematic music and guided visualisations. I listen to them every single day, and they’ve had a huge impact on how I think and how I show up in my life.

What I love is that you don’t have to sit still with your eyes closed like a normal meditation. There are activations for every part of your day, so you can listen while you’re doing other things. I am in fact listening to one of the productivity tracks right now as I write this. My favourite categories are getting ready, walking, pep talks, and wealth and abundance.

If you want to start shifting your identity too, these are the tracks I’d start with:

• Get Clear on Future Self + How You Want to Feel

• New Beginnings

• Walk Into Your Future

• Get Clear on Where You’re Going

• Transform Your Life in 6 Months

• Manifest Your Dream Job (I used to listen to this one on repeat)

You can start with a free 14-day trial, and there’s a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Use code LUCEKATEE for over 50% off a yearly membership.

TRY RISK FREE

Slowly, the broke teacher who didn’t know what she was doing stopped being the person I saw. And once she’d gone, I started doing all the things that version of me never would have.

Try it yourself

So how do you actually start seeing yourself as an instructor before you feel like one?

You rehearse it. Maya explains that your brain struggles to tell the difference between something you’ve vividly and repeatedly imagined and something you’ve actually done. Which means if you’ve spent months picturing yourself freezing in your exam or forgetting your cues, you’ve been practising that. Time to practise something better.

Below is the visualisation I’d use if I were sitting my exam or teaching my first class tomorrow.

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Picture this.

You wake up without an alarm, because your schedule is yours now. You teach the classes you want, when you want, for the clients you actually love working with. No more counting down the clock in a job that was never really you.

You’ve got time freedom, real time, not the “I’ll relax when I retire” kind, but the kind where a Tuesday afternoon matcha with a friend is just... allowed. You’ve built a circle of people who get it, other instructors, movement-obsessed friends, people who understand why you talk about lymphatic drainage at brunch.

Brands you actually respect start reaching out to you, not the other way around, because you’ve built something real enough that they want to be part of it. I remember teaching an event for Canva and thinking, this is the version of this career nobody tells you is possible when you’re sat doing your theory exam.

This isn’t a fantasy. I’m not describing something I read about, I built this, piece by piece, and I know exactly how because I’ve lived it. But here’s the part almost nobody talks about honestly:

This is exactly how you’re going to do it...

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September is the perfect time to reset and get back on track with your goals. Summer’s ending, routines are restarting, and the year has just four months left. Psychologists call it the Fresh Start Effect, it gives us psychological permission to draw a line under the past and begin again, no matter what happened in the months before.

If you started your STOTT exam prep or instructor training this year fully locked in, colour-coded notes, a study schedule, maybe even a countdown on your phone and then life happened... you are not alone, and you are not behind in the way it feels like you are.

Let’s talk about why September is exactly the moment to lock back in.

Back-to-school energy isn’t just for kids, it’s wired into all of us. As a former teacher, I love this time of year. The last part of the year is where I make the most progress towards my goals as it’s the final push.

If you are ready to get back on track with your STOTT exam prep and lock in for the rest of the year, here are my top tips.

How to get back on track with your STOTT exam prep:

1. Start by taking a class with a STOTT certified instructor to get back into the groove with the repertoire. You can find my classes following the STOTT repertoire in my latest STOTT resource below.
   

   REFORMER REPERTOIRE

   MAT REPERTOIRE

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2. Create a study plan. Studying without one is how you end up going over the same few pages every week and feeling like you’re getting nowhere, a plan gives you a clear path so every session actually moves you forward. Decide on a set time to study. I used to study before work at 5am as I was so tired after work. You can find my study plan in my STOTT study bundles.

   REFORMER STUDY BUNDLE

MAT STUDY BUNDLE

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3. Audit the repertoire. If you feel confident teaching and practicing each exercise, mark them green, amber or red. Once you know which exercises you need more practice with, you can spend more time focusing on these.

4. Recap the exercises you decided you need more time on. I have a video breakdown of each exercise (in the STOTT repertoire resource) where I demo each exercise and talk about the exercise focus, start position, breath, movement pattern, muscles, common errors, corrections, and exact cues.

5. Meet with a course mate to practice teaching each other. I used to do this every week and I learnt so much! If you are struggling to find anyone to practice with, my community in the Aligned Method is a great place to connect with other instructors, this is part of the STOTT repertoire resource.

6. Audit your theory knowledge, not just the repertoire. Use my exam topics free download to go through each topic and get honest about what you actually know versus what you think you know. Then create study cards for anything you’re not confident with, this way you’re only spending time on the gaps instead of re-studying everything from scratch.

7. Go through your muscle flash cards daily. Little and often is what makes them actually stick, a few minutes each day beats one long cram session every time.

8. Set a check-in date, not just your exam date. Pick a date two or three weeks out to check your progress against your green, amber, red list. It keeps you honest before it’s too late to course-correct.

Here’s the truth no one says out loud.

Failing this exam doesn’t just mean booking a resit. It means staying stuck in the life you were trying to leave, the job you were counting down from, the identity you’d already started letting go of in your head. You’d already pictured yourself as an instructor. Falling short doesn’t just cost you time, it costs you that version of yourself, at least for a while longer.

That’s exactly why locking back in now matters so much. You don’t need to overhaul your life to get there. You need the right resources, used consistently, for the four months you have left.

That’s what I built these for:

• My STOTT repertoire resource to get your teaching back up to speed, includes a video breakdown of every STOTT essential and intermediate mat and reformer exercise, follow-along STOTT classes, and a community with direct support from me

REFORMER REPERTOIRE

MAT REPERTOIRE

BUNDLE

• My study bundles to give you a plan instead of guesswork, includes the STOTT principles example script, posture assessment script, cueing guide, and study timetable

REFORMER STUDY BUNDLE

MAT STUDY BUNDLE

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• My free exam topics download to show you exactly where your gaps are

• The Aligned Method community (in the STOTT repertoire resource) so you’re not doing this alone, connect with other instructors and get direct support from me

You’ve already done the hardest part, deciding you wanted this in the first place. Don’t let the next four months be the reason you talk yourself out of it.

Pick one thing from this list and start today.

You’ve got this.

Luce xo

PILATES INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

I am so overwhelmed with the response to the new resource, and that this launch has also brought in sales on our other resources too. If you have purchased a resource from me, THANK YOU. I am more grateful than you will ever know. I was going through my box of study resources and found this card I made when I was going through my revision cards. I honestly thought I was going to fail at this point, I just wanted to pass. I decided to write some affirmations and work on shifting my mindset towards my studies. I wrote on the card, “I am going to get over 85%.”

I have never been an academic person. I am your average student, I got mostly C’s in my GCSEs, along with two B’s in textiles and childcare. The first time I took my science exam I failed and had to take an equivalent GCSE where I just had to do coursework, no exam. Same with maths, I failed the first time.

My whole life I wanted to help people. I dreamt of being a teacher ever since I could remember. I knew that if I wanted to become a teacher I needed my maths and science GCSEs. I did everything I could to pass that GCSE, I created a study plan (this is where my study plans were born) and revised every day to pass that exam so I could get into university.

Then I was graced with the professional skills test, you used to have to take this to become a teacher, they’ve now got rid of it because they’re so desperate for teachers, lol. Anyway, with the maths test I failed the first time by 5 marks. I paid for myself to get a maths tutor so I could pass this exam. The second time I took it I got 1 mark off, you only get 3 chances. Thankfully I passed the final time. The mental maths part of that exam, with a timer going off in the corner, killed me. Thank f**k I never have to do that again, lol.

Anyway, I guess where I’m going with this is that everything I have done has led me to this point. I have always been determined, and I know I can do something if I put my mind to it. After writing that affirmation card about passing my STOTT exam with 85%, I decided I was capable and changed the affirmation on that card to “I am going to get over 95%.” Then I thought f**k it, let’s go all in, and changed it to 98%. I didn’t quite make 98%, but I’ll take 96%. Seeing that email come through was one of the proudest moments for me, not just because of the result, but because I knew my life was about to change.

Fast forward to this launch and we’ve hit our first 5-figure month across both businesses combined, and The Aligned Method (digital products) was close to hitting 5 figures alone. The fact that we saw growth of 1001% is mind-blowing. It honestly doesn’t feel real. Maybe it will when I get that first pay cheque. If you’ve seen my first pay cheque series, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I have set the goal of being able to pay myself after 1 year. At the moment, everything we make is invested back into the business to make it the best it can be for you guys. I am so grateful for your support and want to make sure the quality is always there.

PILATES INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

I know a lot of you are probably thinking, well, how do you survive if you don’t pay yourself? So I thought I’d explain my income streams.

1. Studio classes

I have cut these down a lot recently and now only teach 5 classes a week, along with the occasional cover. This is my lowest form of income, so it makes sense not to prioritise it.

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When I paused the Substack back in March, it was because we started working on our new app, which was a massive project that took a lot longer than expected. We officially launched in July, and I am so happy with how it has turned out and so grateful for all our new members over on The Aligned Studio!

We have 300+ mat, reformer, and strength classes. The app is built for the high-achieving woman who wants the studio experience at home, without compromise. Quality Pilates that meets your standard.

TRY 7 DAYS FOR £7

After launching the app, I got straight into creating another huge project that has been my most requested resource: STOTT Pilates repertoire classes.

I decided I wanted to make this resource 100x better than just STOTT classes, so I also filmed a video breakdown of every STOTT mat and reformer exercise, both essential and intermediate. That’s over 150 exercises! It was a challenge to say the least, not just physically but also mentally. Prior to creating this, I went back to work with my old mentor, Sophie Rand, who helped me achieve 96% in my STOTT Pilates exam and who is an excellent STOTT instructor trainer. Some of you may have been taught by her on your courses.

I wanted the resource to be as valuable as possible, so I included the exercise focus, start position, breath, movement pattern, muscles, common errors, corrections, and exact cues.

There is also a community where you can connect with other instructors and get direct support from me, like having a mentor in your corner, for a fraction of what 1:1 mentoring would normally cost.

Right now, the class library includes one essential mat follow-along class and one intermediate mat follow-along class, plus the same for reformer. This content is designed for you to use toward your STOTT observation and practice hours, and with lifetime access, you can come back to it time and time again.

The best part is that I will be updating this resource, and you get all updates included at no extra cost! I’m already planning the next classes. One-off payment. Lifetime access. Every future update, free, forever. The more content I add, the more the price will increase, so this is the lowest it will ever be.

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And to everyone who has already purchased, thank you. I'm so grateful for your trust, and I can't wait to keep adding value to this resource for you!

Things have been non-stop behind the scenes, and I just wanted to remind you (and myself) that you can do anything, but not everything - not all at once, anyway. This year has taught me that saying yes to one big thing often means saying no to something else, at least for a while. The app, the STOTT resource, social media, this Substack, they all mattered to me, but I couldn’t give my full energy to everything at the same time, and that’s okay. If you’re juggling a lot right now, be kind to yourself about what’s had to wait. This is your reminder that you can do anything that you put your mind to.

Thank you so much for your patience, and please leave a comment to let me know what you’d like to see here.

Luce xo

A little life update from me 🤍

I’m going to be pressing pause on paid subscriptions here for the next few weeks, with everything reopening again in May.

Right now, I’m deep in creation mode working on something new behind the scenes. It’s taking a lot of my time, energy, and focus (in the best way), and I really want to honour that fully, rather than trying to split myself too thin and not give you my best here.

For me, this space has always been about quality over quantity, and sharing from a place that feels genuine, grounded, and aligned… and I just know this is the right step for that.

You don’t need to do anything at all, your subscription will simply be paused during this time.

I’ll still be showing up and sharing in other ways, so we’ll stay connected. And when I’m back here, it’ll be with fresh energy, new ideas, and so much more to give.

Thank you for being here, always. Your support never goes unnoticed.

I’m really excited for what’s coming… and I can’t wait to bring you along for it soon.

Make sure you are following along over on socials - Instagram, TikTok.

With love,

Luce x

Here are 10 reminders I took away and honestly, they’re the kind that elevate not just your classes, but your confidence as an instructor too.

1. You don’t need to fill your classes with loads of exercises - slow down, less is more

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking a “good” class is one that’s packed with exercises. But the reality is, it’s not about how much you do, it’s about how well you do it.

When you slow things down, your clients actually feel the work. They connect to the movement, understand their bodies, and build strength with control. Rushing through exercises might feel productive, but it often sacrifices depth and quality.

Give your clients space to experience the movement, that’s where the magic happens.

Read more

I thought I’d start sharing a monthly recap, a small glimpse into what’s been happening in my world lately. What I’ve been building, enjoying, wearing, listening to and inspired by.

Why not subscribe before we get into it?

Subscribe now

February has felt full in the best way. A lot of it has been spent filming our new Reformer Challenge, which has taken up most of my time (and energy!). I’ve also been sharing my “Lunges with Lucy” series on socials, which has been so much fun and such a good reminder that simple movements done well are powerful.

I attended a workshop at Bondi Rise this month, which was honestly one of my favourite moments. Sometimes being an instructor can feel a little lonely, you’re constantly holding space for everyone else so it was really special to be in a room learning, moving, and connecting with the other instructors. That sense of community means so much.

Marcus and I went to see Tourist.

It was such a nostalgic night, we first saw him together 10 years ago when we were living in Bristol.

I honestly felt old when he mentioned one of the songs had come out a decade ago. My life couldn’t be more different from when we saw him for the first time. I was studying early childhood at university, completely broke, constantly partying, not looking after my health at all and I had just got together with Marcus.

If you’d told me back then that I’d be a Pilates instructor, running a business with him, engaged and that we’d have spent a year travelling the world, I wouldn’t have believed you.

It made me reflect on how much can change in ten years. The version of you right now doesn’t have to be the final version. You’re allowed to pivot. You’re allowed to outgrow old paths. You’re allowed to choose something completely different, even if it feels scary at the time.

Movement Favourites

A lot of my movement this month was reformer based as I was filming the challenge and I’m honestly feeling so strong because of it. There’s something about consistent, focused practice that really compounds.

That’s actually why I created this reformer challenge. It starts Monday 9th March and is 21 days of 21 brand new reformer workouts. I designed it for anyone who’s been struggling to stay consistent or get back into a routine because 21 days is often said to be the time it takes to build a habit. Sometimes you just need structure and something to follow, rather than relying on motivation.

TAKE PART IN THE CHALLENGE

Alongside that, I’ve been combining Pilates with walking, stretching and a little strength training. I didn’t manage as many strength sessions as I would have liked because filming took priority but that’s also a reminder that it’s okay to shift your focus. You don’t have to do everything at once. Sometimes one area takes centre stage, and that’s enough.

I also managed to attend three reformer studio classes this month, which felt like a massive win. As an instructor, it can actually be really hard to get to classes but it’s so important. Being a student keeps you inspired. It helps you learn from other instructors and see things through a different lens.

I’ve also been sharing my own reformer practice on socials as a little mini series, showing the reality of what it actually looks like to practise. I have a set of exercises I keep coming back to because I can’t quite do them yet… which usually means my body needs them the most. It’s so much easier to avoid the movements that feel hard, repetitive or frustrating but if I want to improve, practising them has to be a priority, even when progress feels slow.

And lastly, something completely random… I played badminton (lol). I hadn’t played since I was a child. We went on a double date with another couple and it was so much fun, even if the boys eventually decided they didn’t want to be on our team anymore 😂

This is your reminder that movement doesn’t always have to be structured or serious. Sometimes it’s just about having fun.

Mindset Favourites

I’ve been reading Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Julie Smith and I completely understand why it became so popular. It’s written by a clinical psychologist and is full of practical tools for navigating everyday struggles: anxiety, low mood, confidence dips, overthinking, self-criticism.

What I love about it is that it’s not fluffy. It’s simple, grounded and genuinely useful. The kind of book you can pick up, read a few pages, and immediately apply something to your own life. If you ever feel like your emotions run away with you or you struggle with negative thought patterns, this one is worth having on your shelf.

Marcus and I have also started a little ritual in the mornings where we read a page from The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest to each other. We take it in turns each day. It’s made up of short daily reflections all about change, growth and becoming the next version of yourself.

It’s such a small thing, but starting the day with something intentional, instead of immediately reaching for our phones has shifted the tone of our mornings. If you’re in a season of change or quietly thinking about pivoting, you’d probably really resonate with it.

Podcast-wise, I’ve been loving Ladies Who Launch , Women That Sell and Beyond the Reformer, all are great if you’re building something of your own or interested in the business side of wellness.

I also re-listened to You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero. I read it years ago, but it was such a good reminder around money mindset and not playing small. Sometimes you don’t need new information, you just need to hear it again at a different stage of your life.

And if you have Spotify Premium, they include a selection of audiobooks, which is such a win. I’ve been listening while driving or on walks - highly recommend!

Food Favourites

One meal I’ve been eating on repeat this month is the superfood salmon bowl from the Aligned Studio platform.

At the start of the month, I shared a video of my food shop where I also talked about making lasagna. I was really craving it, but it reminded me why I usually limit dairy and gluten, they can be inflammatory. Since then, I’ve stripped things back and focused on simple, protein-packed meals made from whole foods. If you’re struggling with inflammation, you can download my free Reset Guide below.

FREE RESET GUIDE

Another meal I’ve been loving is sardines on sourdough toast, topped with lemon juice, salad leaves, a boiled egg, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I never thought I’d actually enjoy this since I’m not usually a fan of fish, but I was pleasantly surprised, the lemon really brightens the flavour.

The benefits of this meal are huge: sardines are packed with omega-3s for brain and heart health, protein helps keep you full and energised, eggs provide essential vitamins and minerals, and the salad adds fibre for digestion. It’s a quick, nutrient-dense meal that keeps me fuelled for the day, and it’s easy to adapt if you’re short on time.

Wardrobe Favourites

I added a couple of new pieces to my activewear collection this month, including this Alo top and a Sefi set. I’m obsessed with this shade of blue! The black bolero I’m wearing with the Alo top is also Sefi. If you want to check out Sefi, you can use my code LUCY10 for 10% off.

I’ve also picked up a few new pieces for my everyday wardrobe outside of activewear. I feel like this part of my wardrobe often gets neglected since I spend so much time in gym clothes, so it was nice to refresh a few staples and add some pieces that make me feel intentional and put-together.

That’s my February roundup! I’d love to hear from you, what have you been loving this month? Whether it’s a workout, a book, a meal, or just a small moment that made you smile, drop me a reply and let me know.

And if you’re looking to get a little movement routine in for March, don’t forget the Reformer Challenge starts Monday 9th - 21 days, 21 brand new Reformer workouts, perfect for anyone struggling to stay consistent. It’s a great way to build a habit while moving your body and having fun!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Love Luce x

Pilates is more than teaching exercises, it’s about guiding people safely, effectively, and with confidence. To stand out as an instructor, you need more than technical knowledge; you need clarity, flow, purpose, business sense, and a commitment to growth. Here’s my breakdown of the five essential pillars that will elevate your teaching.

1. Cue With Clarity & Confidence

Clear, confident cues are the foundation of trust and trust builds loyal clients.

Why it matters: Clients follow instructions better when they feel safe and guided. Confusing or rushed cues can lead to frustration or injury.

How to master it:

• Keep it simple: Use short, precise sentences. Focus on one correction at a time.

• Layer your instructions: Name the exercise and intention → set up → breath and movement pattern → use imagery → muscles → tactile cues → correct and reinforce → add additional layers.

• Tone & pacing: Speak calmly and deliberately, it reassures clients and enhances focus.

• Practice: Film yourself teaching, listen to your cues, and refine them for clarity.

What I Took Away from the FŌMME Virtual Training (Cue Like You Mean It):

• Teaching is collaborative, not performative, your role is to facilitate learning, not be the centre of attention.

• Humans learn movement through doing, sensing, adjusting, and repeating, not by copying perfect shapes.

• Clarity beats complexity. More words don’t equal better teaching.

• Cue attention and intention, not just anatomy. Where focus goes, movement follows.

• Language matters. Positive, permission-based cues build confidence and safety.

• Empower autonomy - give options, invite exploration, and help clients trust their own bodies.

ACCESS THE TRAINING

2. Create Seamless, Intentional Flow

A great class isn’t just a list of exercises, it’s a journey. Thoughtful planning and smooth transitions keep clients engaged, safe, and motivated. Here’s what I learned from the FŌMME virtual training (Class Planning for Flow and Strength):

What Makes a Class Great

• Achievable, balanced, inspiring, intentional, confidence-building, challenging, and well-sequenced.

• The magic isn’t in one element, it’s in how everything comes together.

• Pilates is a system: train the body front, back, sides, rotation, flexion, and extension.

Planning with Purpose

• Think of your class like a map: strength = destination, flow = journey.

• Ask yourself: What’s the goal? How do sections connect? Is there a thread tying it together?

Creating Flow

• Warm up dynamically and target key areas.

• Balance movement across the whole body.

• Use tempo, positioning, and sequencing to increase intensity without overloading.

• Keep transitions smooth to maintain momentum.

Coaching with Confidence

• Guide, cue, and support clients while maintaining rhythm and energy.

Key Takeaways

• Always plan with intention.

• Maintain rhythm and momentum.

• Balance strength and endurance.

• Connect every movement to a clear purpose.

This workshop gave me practical tools to make my classes feel effortless, challenging, and engaging and there’s so much more to learn in the full FŌMME virtual training.

ACCESS THE TRAINING

3. Understand the Why Behind the Move

Teaching without understanding is memorisation; teaching with understanding is mastery.

Why it matters: Knowing the purpose of each movement allows you to adapt exercises safely, answer questions confidently, and teach diverse clients.

How to deepen your understanding:

• Learn which muscles are working and why they matter.

• Understand progressions & regressions for each exercise.

• Be able to explain the functional benefit of the movement.

• Observe clients, every body moves differently. When you know the intention, you can adjust for individual needs.

4. Master the Business of Movement

Talent fills a class. Strategy builds a career.

What you need to know:

• Marketing & branding: Build a strong online presence and a recognisable teaching style.

• Pricing & retention: Know your worth and keep clients coming back.

• Community: Nurture relationships and encourage referrals.

• Sustainability: Treat your teaching like a business - track finances, set goals, and invest in tools that save you time.

My Takeaways from the FŌMME Business Panel:

• Success evolves over time, early wins are practical, later wins are about freedom, vision, and sustainable growth.

• Build a clear niche and protect your brand; authenticity is more powerful than copying trends.

• Hire for alignment first, then train for skill, culture drives retention.

• Systems matter: smooth booking, clear processes, and weekly tracking keep the business running efficiently.

• Always plan with the long game in mind, consistency and careful decisions beat hype.

DISCOVER FŌMME

5. Never Stop Learning

The best instructors are lifelong students. The industry evolves, so should you.

Ways to grow:

• Attend workshops and continuing education.

• Invest in mentorship or peer feedback.

• Practice with other instructors to gain new perspectives.

• Stay curious about anatomy, movement science, and teaching techniques.

Learn from the Best, Anywhere

One of the most exciting ways to keep growing is through FŌMME Festival and FŌMME Virtual. These immersive workshops bring together leading Pilates and movement educators from Australia and beyond and with FŌMME Virtual, you can access the sessions from anywhere in the world for a month after the festival.

I wish I could have attended the FŌMME Festival in Melbourne, but for now, FŌMME Virtual brings the festival to me.

Why I love it:

• Learn from industry-leading educators without leaving home.

• Revisit sessions in your own time to really absorb the teaching.

• Access carefully curated, professionally produced sessions that make online learning feel seamless.

• Break geographic limits, connect with progressive, global education wherever you are.

Don’t wait: access to FŌMME Virtual closes 10th March, so secure your spot now to level up your teaching this year.

EXPLORE FŌMME VIRTUAL

Instead of relying on numbers, you can guide them to experience the movement fully, notice subtle adjustments, and maintain control and focus throughout the exercise. Here are six things you can cue instead to keep your students engaged, aligned, and connected to their practice.

1. Alignment & Posture

Instead of counting, check in on how your students are holding themselves. Are they rounding their spine when it should be long and straight? Remind them to open their collarbones, roll their shoulders back, or lengthen through their neck. Watch the details, are their knees stacking directly above their ankles in lunges? Are their hips stacked in side-lying exercises, or are they twisting? Small adjustments like these can make a huge difference in the quality of the movement.

PILATES INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

2. Principles

As a STOTT Pilates-certified instructor, I often return to the STOTT Pilates principles throughout class. Cueing these principles not only reminds students of proper technique but also directly supports alignment and posture.

The STOTT Pilates principles I reference include:

• Breathing

• Pelvic Placement

• Rib Cage Placement

• Scapular Movement & Stabilisation

• Head & Cervical Placement

• Lower Body Mobility & Stability

By gently reminding students of these principles, you’re not just guiding them through exercises, you’re helping them move safely, efficiently, and with proper posture from head to toe.

WATCH FREE MASTERCLASS

3. Speed

Some exercises benefit from slowing down, while others need a little more energy. Observing your class and adjusting the pace, encouraging students to slow down to feel the movement fully or to pick up the pace to create more flow can replace the need for counting entirely.

4. Embrace Silence

Silence can be powerful. Sometimes students just need space to feel the movement and focus on their body. Don’t be afraid to let a moment pass without speaking, it gives them time to connect deeply with the exercise.

5. Muscles

Now, this one is a bit controversial, some people say you shouldn’t cue the muscles. But personally, I want to know where I should be feeling it, and I think most students do too.

Guiding students to feel the right muscles working can be far more effective than counting reps. Instead of saying “three, two, one,” you can remind them to engage the deep core, squeeze the glutes, activate the back muscles, or press through the heels. This helps them connect to their body, ensures proper activation, and improves the quality of every movement.

PILATES INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

6. Eye Gaze

This is an often-overlooked cue, but it’s incredibly powerful. Guiding your students’ eye gaze can subtly improve alignment, balance, and focus. Whether it’s looking towards their toes, straight ahead, or slightly up, it can anchor their posture and enhance the mind-body connection.

For example, in a plank to pike, they should look at their feet when piking and in between their hands in plank to maintain proper spinal alignment. In four-point kneeling, cueing the eye gaze is particularly powerful, as many people naturally want to look up, which can strain the neck and disrupt alignment.

Final Thoughts

Counting is helpful, but it’s not the only way to guide your class. By focusing on alignment, principles, pace, allowing space for silence, cueing the eye gaze, and guiding muscle engagement, you can create a more mindful, connected, and effective Pilates experience for your students.

If you’re a Pilates instructor who wants to stand out, not just teach good classes, but become truly sought after, I’ve created a free masterclass that walks you through exactly how to do that.

WATCH FREE MASTERCLASS

We’re talking about the skills that will set you apart in 2026, the ones that help you grow your income, keep clients coming back, and build a personal brand that feels authentic to you.

Here’s a taste of what we’ll cover:

1. One skill to make you unforgettable as an instructor

It’s not just about knowing the exercises, it’s about how you make people feel.

From confident cueing to guided imagery, energy, and holding space, these skills make clients remember you, come back for your classes, and recommend you to everyone they know.

2. One skill to grow your income without more classes

You don’t need to teach endless back-to-back sessions to earn more.

Digital products, memberships, challenges, and freedom-based income are the ways smart instructors scale their business without burning out.

3. One skill to build a personal brand

A personal brand isn’t just for Instagram. It’s how you show up consistently, on camera, in your content, and in your messaging.

When you refine your brand voice, create strong content, and show up with confidence, you become memorable and opportunities naturally follow.

4. One skill that keeps clients coming back

Long-term success comes from relationships, not luck.

Skills like community building, helping clients achieve real results, nurturing relationships, and prioritising client experience are what turn one-off attendees into loyal members who stick with you for years.

5. One skill to avoid burnout long-term

Your business is only sustainable if you are, too.

Boundaries, scheduling that works for you, nervous system regulation, and knowing when to say no will protect your energy and keep your passion for teaching alive for the long run.

We’re just getting started.

In the paid section, I break down how to implement each of these skills, step by step, so you can actually see results in your classes, business, and life.

Read more

I was working as a teacher, burnt out, unhappy, and quietly craving more from my life. I knew something wasn’t right, but I stayed stuck in that cycle for years, telling myself it was “fine”, that I should be grateful, that this was just how life was.

Eventually, I reached a point where I knew something had to change. That’s when I decided to train as a Pilates instructor.

Since then, I’ve left my job, started my own business, The Aligned Studio, an online Pilates platform and spent a year travelling while filming classes around the world. My life now looks unrecognisable compared to the one I was living back then.

Today, I want to talk about how to fast-track your journey as a Pilates instructor.

And no, I don’t mean doing a weekend Pilates course. Becoming a Pilates instructor takes time, commitment and dedication. But there are certain things you can do that will move the needle faster, help you avoid common mistakes, and get you ahead in a way that still feels aligned and sustainable.

How to actually move the needle early on

1. Go to as many classes as possible

   Expose yourself to different styles, studios and teachers so you can understand what type of Pilates you genuinely enjoy and want to teach.

2. Study anatomy

   A solid understanding of the body will set you apart early and make you a more confident, informed instructor.

3. Choose a respected training provider

   Your qualification matters, not just for credibility, but for the depth of education and support you’ll receive.

4. Pick up your manuals before your course

   Familiarising yourself with the repertoire early gives you a huge head start once training begins.

5. Start your Pilates social media account

   Having a social presence allows people to follow your journey, build trust with you, and get to know your teaching style before you’re even qualified. By the time you’re ready to teach, you’re not introducing yourself from scratch, you already have a community that understands who you are and what you stand for.

6. Listen closely to how instructors cue

   Great cueing takes time to develop, and learning from others speeds that process up massively.

7. Teach as many different bodies as possible

   Experience with different abilities, ages and needs will grow your confidence faster than anything else.

8. Observe how instructors modify exercises

   Modifications are where real teaching skill shows up and where clients feel most supported.

9. Invest in mentorship

   Learning from someone who’s already walked the path can save you years of trial and error.

10. Learn basic business skills

    Being a great instructor is only half the picture; understanding how to run a business is what makes it sustainable.

11. Get comfortable being a beginner

    Progress comes faster when you stop waiting to feel ready and start learning as you go.

If you feel so inclined to really put these fast-tracking strategies into action, in the paid section you’ll find:

• A framework for prioritising your learning and experience, so you know what to focus on before, during, and after training

• Step-by-step guidance for building confidence by teaching different bodies, observing instructors, and learning modifications

• How to structure your study schedule and practice without burning out, including tips for memorising anatomy and repertoire efficiently

• Strategies for starting your social presence early, experimenting with content, and building visibility while you’re still training

• Practical ways to approach mentorship and business skills so you’re set up for long-term growth and success

This is designed to take all the overwhelm out of “where do I even start?” and give you a clear, actionable roadmap for moving forward with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

Read more

Let’s talk the ins and outs of being a Pilates instructor in 2026 - the things to take forward, the things to leave behind, and how to build a career that’s sustainable, joyful, and aligned with your life.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been teaching for years, these principles will help you protect your energy, grow your confidence, and thrive without burnout.

FREE MASTERCLASS

IN

1. Sustainable schedules - Teaching in a way that protects your energy, not drains it.

2. Quality over quantity - Fewer classes, more presence, better experiences.

3. Rest as part of the routine - Rest days, lighter weeks, and honouring your cycle/energy. This is a big one for me: as someone who likes to stay busy, I know how hard it can be to pause. But I’ve learned that rest actually makes me more creative, focused, and productive in the long run.

4. Clear boundaries - Only say yes to work that truly aligns with you. Don’t take on loads of cover or classes that drain your energy. Protect your time and your wellbeing so you can show up fully for the work that matters.

5. Intentional goal-setting - Goals that support your life, not consume it.

6. Personal practice first - Your movement practice is non-negotiable. So many instructors start teaching and their own practice goes out the window, but staying consistent with your own Pilates keeps your body strong and helps you develop as an instructor. It’s not just about showing up for others, it’s about showing up for yourself too.

7. Confidence in your teaching style - No more trying to sound like someone else.

8. Aligned income streams - Private clients, memberships, online platforms all chosen intentionally.

9. Community over comparison - Supporting other instructors instead of competing.

10. Ongoing education (without overload) - Learning because you’re curious, not because you feel behind.

11. Listening to your body - Changing plans when needed, without guilt.

12. Teaching Pilates as a career, not a burnout phase

FREE MASTERCLASS

OUT

1. Back to back teaching days - With no space to breathe or recover. This is a fast track to burnout and can leave you feeling exhausted, uninspired, and disconnected from your own practice. Building in gaps and time to recharge isn’t optional, it’s essential for longevity as an instructor.

2. Saying yes out of fear - Fear of missing out or losing clients.

3. Over-glorifying “busy” - Busy does not equal successful.

4. Comparing your journey to others online - Social media is a highlight reel, and comparison is the thief of joy. Just stop. Focus on your own path, your own progress, and the unique journey you’re on.

5. Teaching through pain or exhaustion - Pushing yourself when you’re depleted doesn’t help anyone. Your clients deserve your full energy, and you deserve to protect your body and wellbeing.

6. Undercharging and over-giving - Your work has value, and it deserves to be recognised. Don’t sell yourself short or give away more than you can sustainably offer. Setting fair prices and boundaries isn’t greedy, it’s necessary to build a career you can sustain long-term, stay motivated, and continue serving your clients with energy and confidence.

7. Perfectionism in cueing and programming - Connection > perfection.

8. Ignoring red flags in studios or clients - If it feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and don’t ignore warning signs, whether it’s a studio environment that doesn’t respect your boundaries or a client who disrespects your time and energy. Speaking up, saying no, or walking away isn’t failure, it’s protecting your wellbeing and ensuring you can teach safely, confidently, and sustainably.

9. All-or-nothing thinking - You don’t have to do everything at once.

10. Constantly rebranding or pivoting - Clarity comes from consistency.

11. Chasing trends that don’t align - Not everything new is necessary.

12. Feeling guilty for wanting a life outside Pilates

Want to take this a step further? Subscribers get access to a bonus Pilates Career Audit worksheet - a practical, step by step tool to reflect on your schedule, boundaries, income, personal practice, and growth. It’s designed to help you see clearly what to take forward, what to leave behind, and how to build a sustainable, energising Pilates career.

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If you’re thinking about becoming a Pilates instructor in 2026, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start. There’s a lot of information online, a lot of opinions, and not always a clear path laid out.

So I want to break it down step by step, based on how the industry actually works and what will set you up for long-term success, not just a qualification.

Step 1: Decide on classical or contemporary Pilates

Before you even look at courses, the first decision is style.

• Classical Pilates follows the original work of Joseph Pilates in a very structured way.

• Contemporary Pilates evolves the method using modern anatomy, biomechanics, and current research.

Neither is “better” but they lead you down different paths, studios, and teaching styles. Take time to explore both, try different classes, and notice what resonates with you.

This decision will heavily influence which training provider you choose.

Step 2: Research courses

Once you know which style you’re drawn to, it’s time to research courses.

This means looking beyond:

• Price

• Location

• How quickly you can qualify

Instead, ask:

• Is the qualification recognised?

• Will it allow me to get insured?

• Does it prepare me for teaching real bodies?

• Does it allow progression to Reformer or further training later?

I go much deeper into comparing different training routes, qualifications, and what to look out for inside my free masterclass.

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Step 3: Book onto your course

Once you’ve done your research, commit. It’s is so normal to feel nervous, you are stepping into something new. You won’t realise it at the time but this first step will unlock so many opportunities. Booking your course is often the moment you stop dreaming about a different life and start building it.

Step 4: Start learning as soon as you can

Don’t wait for your official course start date to begin learning.

You can start now by:

• Attending different Pilates classes

• Watching instructors you admire

• Noticing cueing, sequencing, and teaching styles

• Learning the Pilates repertoire

• Learning anatomy

The more familiar the language feels, the more confident you’ll be once training begins.

WATCH FREE MASTERCLASS

Step 5: Set up a social media account to share your journey

This step can feel extremely scary, especially if you don’t actively post on social media. But the sooner you start, the quicker you’ll learn and that will help you so much in the long run.

This isn’t about being perfect.

It’s about:

• Documenting your learning

• Posting even when you don’t feel like an expert yet (this is where you learn)

• Connecting with future clients and studios

Your journey is valuable and someone will resonate with it.

Step 6: Take your course

This is where the foundations are built. Expect a lot of information, moments of overwhelm, and even thinking why did I sign up to this?

Becoming a Pilates instructor isn’t easy and it requires a lot of knowledge, so don’t expect to know everything straight away. The more you learn and study, the more it will start to click.

I honestly wish I could go back to this stage. Take the time to enjoy the process before you step into the world of Pilates and business.

Ask questions. Take notes you’ll actually revisit. This phase isn’t about being the best, it’s about building a solid base.

Step 7: Practice, practice, practice

(Now the real learning starts)

This is where things truly begin to click.

Teach.

Observe.

Practice.

Study.

As much as you possibly can.

Watching other instructors, practising on friends and family, refining cueing, and revisiting theory will teach you more than any manual ever could.

Confidence comes from repetition.

WATCH FREE MASTERCLASS

Step 8: Start teaching before you’re ready

If your course allows it, start teaching as soon as possible. You will not feel ready. You will make mistakes. And that’s exactly how confidence is built.

Teaching early speeds up your learning, builds self-belief, and helps you trust yourself. Waiting to feel “ready” often means waiting forever. I started teaching just two weeks after my course, and it was honestly the best decision I could have ever made. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll realise just how capable you actually are.

Step 9: Start learning about business and marketing

This step is often overlooked, but it’s essential.

Being a Pilates instructor in 2026 usually means being self-employed, which comes with both freedom and responsibility. You’ll need to understand how to:

• Price your classes

• Market yourself

• Build consistency and visibility

• Create sustainable income

• Manage your finances and plan for taxes

The sooner you start learning about the business side, the smoother your transition will be from trainee to confident, independent instructor.

Step 10: Take your exam and certify

Your exam isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.

Passing means you’re qualified to keep learning, growing, and refining your skills. Every confident instructor you admire once stood exactly where you are now.

Remember, qualifying is just the start. Every class you teach from here is an opportunity to grow and develop your skills even further.

Becoming a Pilates instructor in 2026 is about more than just mastering exercises, it’s about discovering what you’re capable of, stepping into your confidence, and creating a life that feels aligned with who you are. Every step of the journey, from your first class to your final exam and beyond, is part of building something meaningful. Trust yourself, embrace the learning, and know that the path you’re on has the power to change not just your own life, but the lives of the people you teach.

You’ve got this! Good luck on your journey!

Love Luce x

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The year you finally said goodbye to self-doubt. The year you took risks, went all in, and actually created the life you’ve been dreaming about.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want 2026 to look like for me, and today I wanted to share some of the things I’m focusing on to make this my best year yet.

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I had just returned to work as a teacher after taking two months off due to stress. That time away gave me space, space to breathe, to reflect, and to really look at the life I was living.

I knew something had to change.

My days were predictable: leaving the house at 7am, working until 5:30pm, coming home exhausted… and repeating it all over again. I didn’t want a life that felt like it was on autopilot. I wanted freedom. I wanted to make a bigger impact. And more than anything, I just wanted to feel genuinely happy.

It was during that period that I started learning about manifestation and the power of vision boards. Looking back now, it’s honestly wild to see how many of the things I once stuck on a piece of paper have become my reality.

My vision board

My life

What started as a wish turned into something truly magical.

I certified as a Pilates instructor with STOTT Pilates. I got teaching jobs at studios I once dreamed of working in. I travelled for over a year, visiting places I’d wanted to go for so long including Australia and Thailand. I started my own business, became the healthiest version of myself, bought a Reformer… and so much more.

But here’s the thing I need you to know: you and I are no different.

If I could create my dream life, you can too. And that’s exactly why we’re talking about vision boards and how to actually make them work for you.

Subscribe now for only £7 to unlock this post showing exactly how I manifested my dream life from a vision board and get access to loads of other valuable posts packed with tips, inspiration, and expert guidance to help you turn your own goals into reality.

Read more

I wanted to share a little update with you, especially if you’ve been thinking about joining The Aligned Studio, or recommitting to your own movement practice this year.

I currently have a sale running on the platform, which doesn’t happen often. We only open sign-ups a few times a year, and after this one there will only be a summer sale and an end of year sale.

I wanted to be really transparent about that, because this is a genuine opportunity, not something that comes around every few months.

USE CODE 'TRANSFORM20' TO JOIN

What You’ll Find Inside The Aligned Studio

The Aligned Studio is designed to support consistency, longevity, and feeling good in your body, especially if you’re a Pilates instructor juggling teaching, life, and everything in between.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A library of over 250 mat, reformer, and strength classes

• A range of programmes and challenges to help you stay consistent without overwhelm

• A growing recipe library with simple, nourishing meals

• Class inspiration for Pilates instructors - ideas for sequencing, and programming

• A space to move without having to plan or think, particularly on teaching heavy weeks

• Classes that support strength, mobility, balance, and longevity

• Options for short sessions and longer classes, depending on your energy

USE CODE 'TRANSFORM20' TO JOIN

Many instructors use The Aligned Studio not only for their own practice, but also as a place to gather inspiration, new ways to approach familiar movements, fresh sequencing ideas, or simply to reconnect with movement without being “on.” It’s also a space where STOTT Pilates trainees can get their teaching hours, using my classes to support their journey and complete their requirements.

A Space That Supports You

If you’re teaching Pilates, you already give so much of your energy to others. This platform was created as a place where you can:

• Prioritise your own body alongside your teaching

• Move in a way that feels supportive, not draining

• Stay consistent even during busy or unpredictable weeks

• Be guided, without pressure or expectations

I’m also currently planning our next reformer programme, and I’m really excited about it. If you’re a member, I’d love your input to help shape this new programme and bring it to life, feel free to DM me on Instagram with your ideas!

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to join, this could be it. And if now isn’t the time, that’s okay too, there’s no pressure here, just an open invitation.

However you choose to move this year, I hope you continue choosing what supports your body, your energy, and your life 🤍

Use code ‘TRANSFORM20’ to get 20% off any membership. This offer ends Sunday 11th January.

JOIN THE ALIGNED STUDIO

I hope to see you in the studio!

Love Luce x

Welcome back 🤍

I hope you had a restful Christmas and New Year, in whatever way rest looked like for you.

I’ve always loved the start of a new year. There’s something about the blank slate, the fresh energy, the quiet permission to pause, reflect, and choose again. Goal setting is genuinely one of my favourite things ever. Sitting with a journal, a matcha, and dreaming about what’s possible lights me up.

But I also know that not everyone feels this way.

For many, January can feel heavy. The comedown after the festive season, the darker mornings, the pressure to fix everything overnight. If that’s you, please know you’re not doing anything wrong. And if you’re somewhere in between, excited but overwhelmed, hopeful but tired, you’re very welcome here too.

My hope with this piece is to gently support you as you move into this new year, in a way that feels grounded, intentional, and sustainable.

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Taking It Slow This Year

This year, I’m consciously taking things slower.

Instead of immediately rushing into goals, I’ve been giving myself space to reflect on the past year and set intentions at my own pace. There’s no deadline on clarity. No rule that says everything has to be mapped out immediately.

I’ve been asking myself what actually felt good last year, what felt draining, and what I want more of as I move into 2026, not just in my business, but in my life.

If you’re feeling called to do the same, here are some reflection questions you might like to sit with.

Reflection Questions: Looking Back on the Past Year

Take your time with these. Journal them, voice-note them, or simply think them through on a walk.

• What am I most proud of from last year?

• What challenged me the most, and what did it teach me?

• Which moments brought me the most joy or fulfilment?

• Where did I feel stretched too thin or close to burnout?

• What did I learn about myself as a Pilates instructor?

• What worked well in my teaching, and what didn’t feel aligned anymore?

Looking Ahead: Intentions for the Year to Come

Rather than jumping straight into rigid goals, try starting with intention.

• How do I want to feel this year as a Pilates instructor?

• What do I want my days to look and feel like?

• What kind of energy do I want to bring into my classes?

• What am I ready to let go of?

• What would “enough” look like for me this year?

• If I could prioritise just one thing, in my work or life what would it be?

You don’t need all the answers right now. Even one clear intention is enough to begin.

Finding Your Version of Success as a Pilates Instructor in 2026

Here’s the truth that often gets overlooked: being a “successful” Pilates instructor isn’t just about teaching more classes, earning more money, or growing faster.

It’s about sustainability. Joy. Alignment.

This year, becoming a successful Pilates instructor you can be might look like:

• Teaching fewer classes, but showing up more present and energised

• Creating clearer boundaries around your time

• Prioritising your own movement practice and rest

• Continuing your education in a way that excites you, not overwhelms you

• Teaching in a way that feels authentic to you, not copied from someone else

You don’t need to have it all figured out this year. You just need to keep listening to yourself, checking in, and choosing what feels aligned, again and again.

However you’re stepping into this new year, I hope you do it gently and with intention.

Wishing you an amazing year ahead!

Luce x