Sarah Pritchard BA (Hons), PGCE, FME, ISMETA RSME RSMT
Somatic Practitioner, Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist, Expert L4 Franklin Method® Educator, Comprehensive & Remedial Pilates Specialist Teacher, Buff Bones® Faculty & Dance UK Healthcare Practitioner.
“Let go of your assumptions and let your body teach you”.
Eric Franklin
If you would like to get to know me a little better, I’d love to share my story with you...
My name is Sarah, the creator of my Somatic Movement Studio, a designated specialist mind body somatic studio. I am an Internationally Regulated Somatic Practitioner, Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist (RSME / RSMT) with ISMETA. I am also a Comprehensive Pilates teacher and member of the Society of the Pilates Method and a Dance UK Healthcare Practitioner. All of the work I carry out is regulated, which means that you have an external assurance of my extensive qualifications, commitment to continuous training, teaching expertise and continued development with my own teachers.
My work takes place here within my own Somatic Movement Studio which is virtual and in person in Birmingham, as well as a guest teacher for dance companies and schools. I teach clients with little movement experience, often post injury or with chronic conditions, all the way through to specialist professional movers with exceptional talents and skills. My work focuses upon enhancing function through body mind integration, helping individuals make their own journey towards embodiment in movement and life as a whole!
My principal somatic practice is Franklin Method® and I am one of a few Expert L4 Franklin Method® Educators within the world. Having studied directly with Eric Franklin, founder of the Franklin Method® for over a decade, all of my work integrates the teachings and principles of his transformative work and I pass on directly to you what I learn directly from him. My second somatic practice is Somatic Therapy which I am currently studying at the Leven Institute for Expressive Movement, and I am currently in Clinical Training.
Within Pilates, I trained with the internationally renowned Alan Herdman at his London Studios. After graduating from his course I worked within Alan Herdman affiliated Pilates Studios in Central London and Hertfordshire, teaching clients of every age, skills level and ability. I have a particular interest in the health and wellbeing of dancers, having worked with them at every stage in their dancing career helping them optimise and preserve not only their talent but also their body for life. I am the Pilates and Dance Wellbeing Tutor at the Centre for Advanced training for Contemporary Dance (Fabric) in Birmingham and at the National Centre for Advanced training Yuva Gati, which specialises in South Asian Dance. I am also a member of the Dance Leaders Group within Birmingham.
I completed advanced studies with Rebekah Rotstein as an Advanced Buff Bones® Instructor and am a member of her International Buff Bones® faculty. I work within the UK for national in person /virtual trainings as well as the virtual international trainings, helping to train, examine and tutor the Buff Bones® Instructors. I have also studied female health with Carolyn Anthony (Pre and Post Natal Pilates Specialist), and dance health with Dr. Suzanne Martin (Performance Arts Enhancement and the Foot (inc. asymmetry, gait and hypermobility), as well as many shorter development courses. Within the differing and highly dynamic Pilates environments that exist today, my key interest is of the use of Franklin Method® Somatics, Poly-Vagal Theory and interoception, as a powerful tool for movement, especially within remedial work and chronic conditions.
My personal movement story travelled the pathway of beginner, to specialist, initially as a dancer and Classical Ballet teacher, only to re-learn everything as a result of complex surgeries and challenging rehabilitation. Having returned to dance, I discovered I loved being in the Pilates studio more than the dance studio! Realising that there was more to the use of imagery than I had initially used as a dancer, I embarked on a very different movement journey with Eric Franklin. From these experiences, I know the incredible power of truly integrating body and mind within movement and the total freedom and joy this brings. When I’m not teaching, I am exploring movement through a whole range of different modalities and deepening my own somatic practice, based on continued study of anatomy, physiology and the psyche in movement, exploring the profound beauty and wisdom held within our physical bodies.
As an educator, my approach is gentle and calm; always with kindness, patience and listening deeply to my clients and their bodies in movement. I am a trauma informed practitioner which means that I have undergone enough training to know how to work with sensitivity and a very clear framework and additionally I have completed the BAID (Black Artists in Dance) training, safeguarding training and have DBS Clearance. It is my objective to be as inclusive as I can be, within the scope of my practice because movement is never just movement, but a holistic practice about the unique individual. It is also a joy and is certainly the best place to be!
It is really important to me that everything we do in my studio is based on health, the science behind it, and my work enhances your wellbeing in mind and body. Over the years I feel dismayed about my industry, hearing from new clients about body shaming in movement classes, being made to feel unworthy, compared with others or be given false truths (about six packs, pelvic floors, weight loss, mindless repetitions or how the body works to name a few). All this does is make your body tense, uncomfortable, movement is not enjoyable and in some extreme cases causes distress and hurt. Lots of this is passed down training from teachers, lack of knowledge or, worse still, stamping authority over others. The damage it does to the person as well as their movement capacity can be huge. From my own corner, I want to play my part in putting an end to all of that.
I work with women and dancers who are focused and committed to improving their movement skills, and wellbeing, regardless whether they are new to movement or professional movers.
I look forward to helping you on your unique journey, to discover the endless potential of your body and mind; helping you learn how to integrate both in a powerful way, to help you reach your goals, either online or in person.
Sarah
xx
“Never stop exploring, never say never. Keep your focus in the present moment. Learn to feel your body and sense what is happening within. Our bodies are so amazing and responsive, and they hold such much wisdom and support for you.”
Sarah Pritchard
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Find out more about my studio and how my approach can help you
How my clients feel…
“I have been working with Sarah since being diagnosed with osteoporosis. Sarah has been able to ease my associated fear of movement, especially falling. Over time Sarah has been extremely helpful in increasing my overall strength and fitness in several areas where the impact of osteoporosis may be most severe in the future. This includes identifying the causes of my back pain and teaching me suitable exercise programmes based on Buff Bones to reduce it. Sarah is an excellent and kind teacher and her attention to detail continues to be of great benefit in my day to day life and gives me both motivation and hope for the future”.
J.W. Artist, Birmingham, Personal Training Virtual & In Person Buff Bones® / Remedial Pilates / Somatics
“I found Sarah’s Franklin Method® classes by accident and I have found the method simple in its methodology but rooted in cutting edge science.
But best of all she makes you feel more relaxed, calm, and with a clearer understanding of how the body should move and feel, when used in a healthier and more natural fashion..”
— J.S. General Practitioner, Franklin Method® in The Somatic Movement Studio
“Sarah is a beautiful teacher whose attention to detail and expertise have enabled me to deepen my understanding of my own movement patterns. Her use of language to connect with the body is exceptional and her sessions have been both uplifting and inspiring.
With thanks again for your wonderful sessions!”
S.T. Movement Professional, Somatic Repatterning using Franklin Method® and Buff Bones®
“I cannot recommend Sarah enough.
Having contacted her for a beginner’s Pilates session she quickly identified a knee issue that had been causing me problems for years. She worked through several movements with me over a number of sessions to try to correct that fault and I am pleased to say that I now have more movement in my leg than I have had for ages.
I have been looked at by several physios over the years (at substantial personal cost and temporary success) - but she has absolutely nailed it and I couldn’t be happier.”
— K.H. Film and Television Editor, The Somatic Pilates Studio
“After I injured my back, I was often in discomfort, and my body felt weaker and quite limited in its mobility. There was a time where I was unable to sit down for more than 30 minutes at a time without feeling uncomfortable. Working with Sarah has been life-changing as it has not only allowed me to properly and safely consolidate the advice provided by my physiotherapist in order to improve the condition of my back but, with attention to detail and a carefully curated Pilates programme—designed to suit me and my lifestyle—Sarah has helped me to build strength in all areas of my body, particularly my back, glutes and legs. As a person who was previously glued to my laptop, living a fairly sedentary life, Pilates with Sarah opened up the door to movement which has allowed me to become more active and improve my overall health”.
R.K. Executive, Personal Training with Comprehensive Remedial Studio Pilates and Somatic Repatterning.
“Sarah is a wonderful teacher. Endlessly knowledgeable but conveys complex ideas in a straightforward way. My mind is calm and my body can do things I never thought possible. The power of Sarah’s visualisation techniques are incredible. Get to these classes if you want to move beautifully but without the strain!”
— C.W. Company Director and Social Dancer, Franklin Method® for Dancers Programming
"Can you just go with it and stay in the moment? The question for myself as well as my clients. It is a practice, and the more you practice, the easier it becomes. The rewards for your movement and life as a whole are phenomenal."
Sarah Pritchard
Contact me
Everyone’s journey through movement is different and I understand how sometimes taking that first step can be challenging for different reasons, but you will find a welcoming, friendly and supportive reply.
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