Specialist Comprehensive & Remedial Pilates & Somatic Movement Therapy in Birmingham
Movement for Longevity & Wellness in the Heart of the Jewellery Quarter Birmingham
Sarah Pritchard MSMT, MSME in the Pilates studio in Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham where she specialises in remedial Pilates & somatic movement for dance & women's health.
Sarah is a Third Generation Pilates Teacher Directly trained by Pilates pioneer Alan Herdman and is recognised by ISMETA as a Master Somatic Movement Therapist and Educator which is the highest designation that exists in the Professional field of somatic movement and therapy.
As an Expert Level 4 Franklin Method Educator, I provide Comprehensive Studio & Remedial Pilates and Somatic Movement Therapy for clients in Birmingham city centre. My approach is specifically designed for Dancer Wellness and Female Health and Wellness in the Midlife, managing Bone & Joint Health (Buff Bones®) and optimal Pilates for Osteoporosis Programming.
Experience a more intelligent approach to movement with me in the Pilates Studio in Birmingham in the heart of Jewellery Quarter.
Whether you are a women managing times of transition in the midlife peri menopause, menopause and looking for a way ot support your health wellbeing, a professional dancer, someone recovering from injury or preparing for surgery, or looking to support your bone health and needing an optimal programme of Pilates for Osteoporosis, my sessions combine the precision of Comprehensive & Remedial Pilates with the deep nervous-system regulation of Somatic Movement and Somatic Movement Therapy.
I am the Pilates tutor for Fabric Dance and the West Midlands Centre for Advanced Training (Fabric Contemporary CAT) & a member of the Dance Leaders Group (DLG) in Birmingham. I have also been a guest teacher for the Nicholson School of Dance Summer and Easter Schools. As a specialist in dance health and women's movement, I provide 1:1 bespoke sessions, and duet sessions with the heart of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham.
My work is a unique synthesis of a very rare combination of qualifications, and skills, but more importantly my own intuition and care about you, the whole person. Having been on my own journey in movement I know deeply how movement can change the way you feel in every way. My approach is person centered and works from the inside out. Experience how there is so much more to Pilates when you work with an integrated mind body approach for your health, strength, resilience, confidence and total wellbeing.
Below are some examples of my specialities:
1:1 Remedial Pilates: Tailored sessions focusing on injury rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and postural re-education. Pre and post rehabilitation following surgery a specialism.
Pilates for Dancers: Specialist training for students and professionals (CAT/Fabric), focusing on issues such as joint stability, turnout mechanics, and injury prevention.
Buff Bones® for Osteoporosis: A medically-endorsed system for bone health and safe, functional movement.
Somatic Movement Therapy: Release deep-seated tension and regulate your nervous system using Polyvagal-informed movement.
Group Reformer & Tower Pilates: Join my exclusive group class which uses not only Reformer Pilates but also the Pilates Tower for total body conditioning and wellness - 1 current space available.
Location: My Birmingham sessions are held in Cool Pilates studio set within the historic Jewellery Quarter, easily accessible from the City Centre, Digbeth, and New Street Station. If you are walking from Fabric Dance in the Birmingham Hippodrome complex I’m a 15-20 minute walk away. You can access the studio on foot in about 10 minutes from Birmingham New Street, or catch the Metro over to Jewellery Quarter.
The benefits of working in a bespoke way with me in the Pilates Studio in Birmingham, how my clients feel in their bodies & minds…
"A level of personalised guidance that has made a real difference."
“After a lot of research, I chose to work with Sarah because of her depth of experience, skills and holistic approach. Working with her has helped me understand the core principles of Pilates and how to get the most from each session. Over time and through a period of significant injury recovery, this has strengthened my body and built my confidence in ways I didn’t expect. Her guidance has been a huge part of my journey. She draws on her extensive knowledge to create thoughtful lesson plans, but she also listens closely to how I’m feeling, what I want to work on and what I hope to achieve, then adapts with care and intuition. Her balance of support and challenge is spot on. It’s a level of personalised guidance that has made a real difference to my progress. 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”.
Current client & CEO, Comprehensive & Remedial Somatic Pilates Studio, Birmingham
My client’s need: A safe plan for exercising with osteoporosis to help gain strength, address fear of falling and restore confidence.
Expert led Comprehensive & Remedial Studio Pilates and Buff Bones® for Women in the Midlife & Pilates for Osteoporosis
“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.”
Artist, Birmingham, Personal Training In Person Buff Bones® / Remedial Pilates / Somatics
My client’s need: A way to exercise and support her body needing an exercise programme to manage her lower back pain. Gaining confidence and autonomy in her body to progress back into other forms of movement.
Expert led bespoke programming for Comprehensive Remedial Studio Pilates & Somatic Movement Therapy to support lower back pain, working hand in hand with medical professionals.
“Working 1:1 with Sarah has provided a level of care and attention that I have not found in previous group settings. Every session, Sarah will first assess how I am feeling, ask about any issues that have cropped up with my health, physical or mental, and will then design our lesson based on first addressing any new issues causing discomfort, if needed, whilst also ensuring that we continue to work towards my long term goals that we have agreed upon together..”
Social Media Executive, Birmingham Comprehensive and Remedial Pilates with a Somatic Approach.
My client’s need: to learn Pilates as a beginner, to have time for herself as a very busy professional and to work with a female specialist in Pilates.
Specialist Mind Body Somatic Studio Pilates to support Women’s Health & Wellbeing & support busy professional women’s health & wellbeing.
“My body feels more centered, aligned, and strong, which in turn makes everyday activities feel easier and the improvement in posture makes me feel more confident. It has made me more conscious of my movement and how I carry myself in my daily activities; and how these can impact my alignment. Pilates has helped me manage my stress, improve my posture, and increase my energy levels, all while enhancing the awareness I have of my own body. The sessions I have with Sarah are my weekly reset, for both mind and body, the week feels incomplete without a session!”
NHS Consultant, Personal Training, Comprehensive Studio Pilates with a Somatic Polyvagal Based Approach to movement.
Meet Your Practitioner for Women’s Health & Rehabilitation Pilates in Birmingham
Rooted in Tradition, Focused on Your Movement. As a 3rd Generation Pilates teacher trained by Alan Herdman, I’ve spent over 20 years mastering the art of the "original" method in my own body as well as working with my clients. Whether we’re in the Pilates Studio or the mat, my goal is to bring that world-class expertise to your unique body.
Sarah Pritchard MSMT MSME
ISMETA Registered Master Somatic Movement Therapist & Educator, Comprehesive & Specialist Remedial Pilates Teacher, International & UK Faculty for Buff Bones®, One Dance UK Health, Franklin Method 4 & Somatic Therapist.
While many Pilates sessions focus purely on physical exercise, my practice holistic and is grounded in clinical somatic movement and neurological regulation. With over a decade of experience working in specialist Pilates studios within London and Birmingham , I bridge the gap between functional movement and the science of the nervous system.
Expert Credentials & Specialisms
ISMETA Registered Master Somatic Movement Therapist & Master Somatic Movement Educator (MSMT MSME): Regulated by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association, ensuring the highest global standards of practice.
Comprehensive and Specialist Remedial Pilates Teacher: Trained to the highest level by Alan Herdman and regualted by the Society for the Pilates Method and EMDUK. Specialising injury rehabilitation and chronic pain.
Buff Bones® International and UK Faculty: Specialist in medically-endorsed movement for Mid-Life Women, Osteoporosis and bone health.
Level 4 Franklin Method® Educator: Utilizing dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery (DNI™) to improve functional anatomy and movement efficiency.
One DanceUK Healthcare Practitioner: Regulated by One DanceUK ensuring the highest standards of practice for dancers, with verified references and subscribing to a health first approach for dancers.
SomaSoul® Somatic Therapist - specialist in working with the whole person and taking a person centered approach to movement.
My mission is to move beyond the 'repertoire' and with the whole person in front of me. Whether you are a professional dancer at Fabric or a client managing times of life transition such as pre / post natal, osteoporosis or osteopenia, pre or post surgery, illness, injury or conditions such as scoliosis, osteoporosis or hypermobility, we use the entire Pilates Studio and Somatic inquiry to find a path to pain-free, joyful movement that is empowering.
Frequently Asked Questions
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While a standard "fitness" Pilates class focuses on repetitive exercise and calorie burn, my Birmingham Somatic sessions focus on the "how" of movement. As a Master Somatic Movement Therapist, I use a bespoke approach to help you recognise and release deep-seated tension patterns and regulate your nervous system, rather than just "working out". This is essential for long-term recovery from chronic pain or injury as well as performance optimisation. If you are a female going through perimenopause or menopause having a well regulated nervous system is essential to gain optimal results from your PIlates practice and supports these transition points in life.
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Yes. I am an international faculty member and the UK Faculty for Buff Bones®, a medically-endorsed system specifically designed for bone health. In my bespoke Birmingham sessions, we prioritise bone-safe movements that build strength and balance without risking spinal flexion injuries common in generic fitness classes
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Absolutely. I have a long-standing relationship with the Birmingham dance community, including work with Fabric and the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) and am a member of the Dance Leaders’ Group (DLG). As a One Dance UK Healthcare Practitioner my sessions for dancers are not "general fitness"; they are clinical movement assessments focusing on kety issues that impact the dancer body such as hypermobility, foot health, scoliosis turnout mechanics, and injury prevention specifically for the professional and pre-vocational mover.
Bespoke 1:1 Somatic Pilates designed for the midlife body, the benefits…
"Everything feels open and aligned, I feel calmer and lighter in my body and mood."
“Working with Sarah means I can be confident I’m working with someone who really understands their subject at a deep level. Sarah has taken time to teach me the fundamentals, building my knowledge and understanding so that I can get the most from my practice. I prefer a 1:1 approach with Sarah as I know I am being guided to do the work I need to do each time. Sarah has taken time to get to know me and what my body needs, building exercises that help me grow stronger and more agile each session. She pays really close attention in sessions, adapting as we go to ensure I am stretching myself but always at the right level. I love the feeling I have at the end of the class; everything feels open and aligned, I feel calmer and lighter in my body and mood. Pilates has helped me build core strength and a greater awareness of my body day to day.”
Current client, Education Professional, Comprehensive & Remedial Somatic Pilates Studio, Birmingham
Come & Work with me in Birmingham
Sarah Pritchatd Pilates & Somatic Movement Therapy at Cool Pilates in Jewellery Quarter Birmingham.
Located within the historic Newhall Place. For the most precise navigation to our front door, use the what3words address: ///fully.found.exams
Jewellery Quarter (B1), near St Paul’s Square and a short walk from Snow Hill Station
Hours
Saturdays, Thursdays - by appointment only
Work with a Regulated Expert in Comprehensive & Remedial Pilates in Birmingham. My Professional Bodies
In the UK, the "wellness" industry is largely unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a movement coach, expert or health consultant. By choosing a practitioner who is externally regulated and third-party verified, you are ensuring that your physical and emotional health is in expert hands. Click on any of the logos above to verify my expertise.
As a Registered Master Somatic Movement Therapist and Educator (MSMT MSME) with ISMETA, Comprehensive Teacher of the Society of the Pilates Method and OneDance UK Healthcare Practitioner, I am bound by a strict international Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice.
The Benefit: You can trust that I know the limits of my practice. I am trained to recognise when a client needs a referral to a physiotherapist, consultant, or GP. This ensures you never receive "pseudo-medical" advice that could delay necessary clinical treatment.
Rigorous Quality Assurance (Not Just a "Weekend Course")
Unlike standard fitness certifications, my credentials represent 1000+ hours of live training and decades of professional practice as well as leadership within and development of the Profession of Somatic Movement and Therapy. For Pilates my initial training with Alan Herdman was over 800 hours of learning that was a year full time study and examinations within the studio environment. On top of that training is a commitment to continued professional development. As Faculty for Buff Bones® my work is to educate the teachers and uphold high standards for women in the midlife and especially with bone and joint health needs.
The Benefit: My form of Pilates is not just another workout; but you are paying for neuromuscular re-education. My work is about long term impact upon your health and wellbeing. I’m not part of the fitness trend and never have been, although Pilates can really help you improve your fitness level, that is not my primary goal. Pilates is a practice for life, longevity and wellness of the total person. It is something that can take some time but the end results are wonderful.
When you see the above logos, you are seeing a seal of approval that protects you. It means my training is verified, and my practice is dedicated to your safety. How much do you really know about who is teaching you?