Somatic Pilates - A different approach & evolution to Pilates.
One piece of us: but how do you experience it in movement and in your Pilates practice?
The rise of Pilates & Somatics. Navigating depth in the era of the influencers.
(Why I’ve updated this blog post from 2024!)
As I write today, May 2026, my world has enlarged, my credentials and expertise has changed, my felt sense has deepened further. I stand looking at my field and realise how much more I have to learn. My industries of Pilates and Somatic Movement and Somatic Movement Therapy have evolved and the worlds of fitness and wellness and the influencers have been sprinkling words all over Canva posts. I’m seeing a lot of explanations of Somatic Pilates, but it seems hollow and empty, it’s catching the current vibe but not the depth. When Somatic Pilates is taught from two genuine somatic lineages and a Pilates lineage going back to Pilates himself, something special and very powerful happens within minds and bodies.
So now, as a Master Somatic Movement Educator, Master Somatic Movement Therapist and Comprehensive & Specialist Remedial Pilates teacher here is my updated perspective that offers a lot more precision about Somatic Pilates. It is not nervous system regulation as a trend, not mindful Pilates rebranded, but deep Somatic work that forms my body of practice and my body of work for over a decade.
I hope you find it useful,
Sarah x
What is Somatic Pilates?
Somatic Pilates is a specialist form of Pilates that combines Somatic principles with the principles of Pilates. It works primarily with very deep presence and felt sense - it is about integrating and becoming at one with your body, developing something called embodiment and deeply listening to and respecting your body. It is holistic in approach and keeps the unique individual the centre. Somatic Pilates has a much deeper anatomical component for the client and teacher / practitioner and may harness different systems of the body deliberately to produce different effects. Its purpose is to produce full mind body integration. It does not intend to work with body as a separate 'thing’, but works with the body as an integrated whole, we both have a body and we are a body. When we work with our bodies and listen to them carefully we become much calmer and at peace with ourselves, and in that respect Somatic Pilates can be for some people a real tonic to everyday life, stresses and strains in every respect. So much can move us away from our bodies, and Somatic Pilates is a practice to put people back within themselves once more. We can move with greater freedom, we put less strain on our body, we develop greater felt sense and more confidence in our body because we have a different relationship with it. Truly moving in somatic Pilates is so much more than fitness Pilates with some relaxation or mindfulness bolted on - but it integrated, codified and requires specialist professional training.
The Polyvagal Approach
A Polyvagal approach to Somatic Pilates involves paying respect to our Vagus Nerve which is our key nerve that regulates functions of our body and is our nerve of wellbeing. In that sense a somatic polyvagal approach to Pilates is truly mindful, maintaining the principles of Pilates but merging with somatic principles. The vagus nerve is sometimes called the "wandering nerve" because of the many different parts of the body it interacts with. Stimulating the vagus nerve can have a calming effect on the body. That means that all aspects of the session are designed with keeping the wellbeing of you in mind to allow your body to access its optimum state which is known as the Ventral Vagal state in which we feel more aligned with us as people, more aligned, comfortable and supported in our bodies and have a much clearer mind. The Polyvagal approach of Porges taught to me by Daniel Leven through Deb Dana’s work that sits inside my Somatic Pilates is something that is a tonic for modern lifestyles that can be over wired and tired, stressed out in mind and body and often with a degree of disregulation. Somatic Pilates helps you gain a true mind body connection which aids self regulation skills, and helps the body settle. Where lots of Pilates gets it so very wrong is that over pushing the body beyond what it is capable of, and building a culture of strength and more strength, leads to those who already are feeling stressed out working their body into more and more tension, rather than bringing their body back into alignment in the truest sense.
How can you experience Somatic Pilates - Mat, Studio or both?
Somatic Pilates can be taught inside the Pilates Studio using the apparatus or on the mat as what is important is the process that you are involved in. It is the skill and embodiment of the teacher that is the difference guiding you safely into your body and as well as felt sense that definitely makes the difference.
Somatic Pilates is especially powerful when taught in a remedial studio context for several reasons: when there is injury or illness what can often accompany it is a sense of disconnection and disembodiment. The injury itself may have been the result of disembodiment at the level of the mind body in movement alone, however, usually there is also a much more profound level of disembodiment which comes from deeper and more emotional places. Working remedially with clients allows Somatic Pilates to become a powerful way to integrate mind body and the whole person back together. Time and time again, it is in my experience that when I am working remedially connecting the person back into themselves, and with their body - it not only aids movement, but confidence, self esteem and a desire to adhere to the work that needs to be done. This work takes place 1:1 because within it I build their clients very own set of cues that have felt meaning to them, using their own self generated imagery. This specialist use of imagery can be used prior to movement or with movement both with the same aim - to improve movement.
For injury learning how to use a joint or part of our body correctly is so important. Somatic Pilates in a 1:1 environment allows for something called somatic repatterning to happen. This under the care of a Somatic Specialist is really important because it is not just about the movement pattern but also about the level of tone within the body which indicates the somatic state the client is in. Within Somatic Pilates all of that can be managed. It’s so important for everyone, but some very sensitive systems in conditions such as hypermobility, or peri menopause and post menopause where those hormonal shifts can play havoc with the body, or for working with issues of non specific pain (when cleared by a medical professional to move) it moves to the foreground. As I update this section in 2026 now as a somatic therapist, working in Somatic Pilates remedially and with the general population gives me so many more answers to problems than just being a Pilates teacher ever could. My felt sense sharpened to a therapeutic level now gives me the ability to read the body with even more accuracy, hear the person, their story - the story in 1:1 work matters because the story can explain the body’s reactions or tension and holding patterns. Working somatically with my clients has for me the teacher improved my skillset but for my clients got to the heart of issues so much more quickly. We have been so used to just thinking remedial work was about physical balance but it is about so much more.
For dancers, and anyone who is involved in movement at a specialist level the use of Somatic Pilates is an incredible resource. Whilst many dancers are incredible movers they are not always the most embodied. Spending a lifetime using their body leads very quickly to imbalance and injury. Having that felt sense within Pilates of what you do not only aids movement and range of motion without pulling valuable joints and muscles but also helps you develop higher skills of proprioception and interoception - key for the wellbeing of anyone who uses their body repeatedly and wants to stay injury free and with reduced tension.
“After every class, I feel more balanced, stronger and aligned, both physically and mentally. Pilates with Sarah is always a worthwhile investment of time and energy, no matter how tired I am or how demanding my day has been. It has given me a much deeper connection with my body and consistently lifts my mind, helping me navigate the physical and emotional stresses of everyday life.” .”
How is Somatic Pilates different to a standard Mat Pilates class?
Somatic Pilates is different to your usual mat class because you are inside a process of working with yourself and your unique body. The way it is taught is different as well - your teacher is not instructing you to copy, but feel and embody your movement, always trying to guide you into that felt sense within the Studio apparatus or on the Mat. It’s definitely about working to the level that your body can manage, you will be required to discover where you are on any given day, and be welcomed into both a non competitive environment and a somatic community that has sharing and connection - this is all part of something called a somatic process. And within the process we have individually and in community we gain further insight into movement, our bodies and minds.
Can Pilates generally be considered ‘Somatic”?
Pilates is a mind body discipline and Pilates himself sought to integrate mind and body. The word ‘somatic’ is commonly referring to as ‘of the living body’ and in that sense there are many forms of Pilates that have a somatic nature within them, at the moment it is currently very fashionable and useful in terms of marketing to use the word somatic. I’d like to stress that my form of somatic Pilates is different to a wellness Pilates class which is about relaxation but has no studied depth on the felt sense and no built container for the whole person. My version comes from a depth of training and self embodiment and a lineage that roots back to the somatic pioneers, as well as Pilates himself. It builds from the teachings of Pilates and incorporates the teachings and processes of my somatic family and somatic pioneers that I have studied with. It involves acknowledging and working with the whole body mind and spirit in an integrated way, and also acknowledging, along Somatic lines that if we move one system in the body we can affect change across multiple areas. Somatic work and Somatic Pilates to me is a process, and in process we become more ourselves, more embodied in every aspect of our lives. The way Somatic Pilates is taught is different because its philosophy is different to Pilates. The nature of the teacher is very different as well as the teacher themselves is in an embodied state while they are working with you. Their focus will be on your process and how you are moving and they will keep working on moving you into a more integrated state with your body and mind.
What are the benefits of Somatic Pilates?
The benefits of Somatic Pilates are a much deeper and more intimate relationship with your body, and with you. You are able to move better, because you have learnt how to move your body with less tension, more efficiency, you have more freedom and space within the body. When our body senses it can move without using force we too become calmer and more integrated in our minds and bodies. It can be used with those who are looking for competitive advantage in their sport, those with an injury or issue to ensure they are using their body optimally or those looking for greater levels of comfort or to enhance their practice in Pilates or experience it in a different way. But primarily it is about felt sense, and feeling our bodies in motion - it is very much the opposite of some the Instagram culture you see where Pilates is taking on more extreme forms and very often in a state of disembodiment. And very often I find my clients enter a very peaceful integrated state, and develop more confidence not only in their bodies but can then carry that forward to their lives as a whole. For those of us who struggle to inhabit our body, or are stressed out through life or hormones, especially in the mid life, this work is important in bringing us back into integration.
And if you are interested in joining group class, my Somatic Pilates Membership is live. Two live sessions a week. Founding membership now open.
Two live sessions per week (Tuesday 45 min + Friday 75 min with somatic discussion) and access to replay.
Founding Member Rate: £79/month
Limited to 15 dedicated movers.
Secure your spot
What tips do you have for those interested in trying Somatic Pilates?
If you are interested in Somatic Pilates please make sure you are working with a professional that is qualified in both areas of Pilates and Somatics. Ideally your teacher should have a deep study of anatomy and physiology beyond that of a standard Pilates training as Somatic work and Somatic Pilates really does move the whole body and so it is important that those who teach you do understand what they are doing and are working from a place of authenticity within themselves. It is also important to seek out at the very least a trauma informed practitioner - that means that the person has had some training in trauma and has done some of their own work. It also means they are able to offer a space for movement that is supportive but offers very clear guidelines for moving the body safely, in relationship with others - because quite often we are moving as a community! At the very least you are moving in community with your teacher! It also means that they will help create an environment where you and others can be comfortable, and not do anything that can alarm your body as you move. I’d like to stress that Somatic Pilates is not Somatic Therapy which is the space to work with individual trauma in the body deliberately to process emotions that are held inside the body. Somatic Pilates is movement and an evolution of this wonderful movement system and bridges the worlds of Somatic Movement and Pilates. There are many posts I see on social media that cause me deep concern where I observe claims of a movement being the thing to process a stored emotion out of your body - to release it - or a body and person /group being taken beyond a place they need to be taken that can hurt both the physical body or the psyche. Somatic Pilates is a different branch of the Pilates family that really develops your embodiment journey within Pilates, your journey of you! It is a process, and every day is different - so be prepared to be open minded, to explore and enjoy the journey.
Our body is such a deep and special place to experience, to take joy and pleasure in, and to integrate with our minds. So much is possible, when we are present. So much is possible when we stop fighting with our bodies and become more integrated. It’s good to be back home, with our bodies and ourselves!
“With her guidance and help she has really enabled me to identify/ explore particular issues through paying attention to my body and movement. The sessions with Sarah have been invaluable and made a huge difference to my emotional and physical well being. Most of all her classes are really enjoyable. She has sorted out my ongoing back and shoulder problems and given me the skills to develop my own practice at home.”
- J.W. Faversham, Retired Psychotherapist, In Person Studio and Virtual Studio Franklin Method® / Pilates 1:1 sessions”
Come and discover my Somatic Pilates Membership.
Two live sessions per week (Tuesday 45 min + Friday 75 min with somatic discussion) and replay.
Founding Member Rate: £79/month
Limited to 15 dedicated movers.
Secure your spot
Who am I?
I am a Registered Master Somatic Movement Educator and Master Somatic Movement Therapist with ISMETA. My principle practice is Franklin Method® which gives me the physical somatic framework using Dynamic Neurocognitive Imagery to improve movement, reduce tension and optimise performance. I am also a SomaSoul Somatic Therapist of the Leven Institute for Expressive Movement and I work with movement at the deepest level, inside our nervous system and emotional body. My Somatic training has taken place over a decade and still continues under the mentorship of Daniel Leven, because somatic work is deep and endless. I also have been a guest teacher within the Eric Franklin’s Virtual Studio and continue to study with this master within my profession. I am Faculty for Buff Bones® and specialise in the embodiment side of our work with new teachers and I am the Pilates and Wellbeing Tutor for Fabric Dance and Fabric Centre for Advanced Training for Contemporary Dance where I directly use Somatics within Pilates to help our young dancers of the future become more emboided in what they do. I am also a OneDanceUK Healthcare Practitioner. As a Third Generation Comprehensive Pilates teacher, trained by the world renowned Alan Herdman I have over a decades’ worth of experience teaching specialist remedial Pilates to diverse populations combined with my somatic work. I am a trauma informed practitioner which means that I have had training in and am sensitive to trauma related issues that can arise within movement. Trauma informed work means that you have undergone your own deep work which allows you to have the capacity to hold the emotions of others because you have deep self awareness. My practice is boundaried and regulated. If you are working through or dealing with current trauma you are advised to seek help from a trauma specialist who is qualified and can help you specifically and safely with your issues. Somatic Movement work is not the environment suitable for those dealing with acute trauma although in the future may be useful once your therapist has agreed it can be supportive to you.
© Sarah Pritchard, 2024, All rights reserved.
Revised edition © Sarah Pritchard, 2026, All rights reserved.
Content Disclaimer - With pain, acute injury and any pathology you should always seek professional medical guidance and diagnosis. Somatic work does not replace medical diagnosis or care. Please refer to my Terms of Website use for further information.
DISCLAIMER: as I do not know your individual circumstances, none of my blogs, my videos, my guidance in the Facebook group or any other materials available to you where I have not taken you on as a one to one client shall be construed as advice and I shall have no liability to you in any circumstances should you choose to rely on any of the materials I publish.