A gym I was attending had just opened a reformer studio and was encouraging members to give it a try. So I did.
About 15 minutes into my first class, I was hooked.
I remember thinking almost immediately: everyone needs to do this.
I started attending classes religiously, completed my instructor training and began thinking seriously about opening a studio of my own.
But I also knew, through friends, patients and people in my local community, that there were many people who wanted to exercise but didn't quite know how to begin, or were too scared to start.
Some hadn't exercised in years. Some had injuries or aches and pains that made them nervous about starting again. Others were curious about reformer Pilates but found the big, busy studios intimidating.
I wanted to create somewhere for them.
And that became Spring Reform.
A small, welcoming studio where you don't need to be young, fit, flexible or experienced before you walk through the door.
A place where safety, confidence and good movement matter, influenced heavily by my background as a physiotherapist.
A studio big enough to enjoy the energy of exercising alongside others, but small enough that you are still seen, known and supported.
And, importantly, somewhere exercise can be fun. Because if its fun, you keep doing it, and small changes, consistently over time, give the biggest physical, emotional and mental improvements.
How Spring Reform Began
I never take for granted people's trust in me to better their health. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to help another human improve their quality of life.
Over time, I've also learnt that health is about much more than exercise, supplements, calories or getting your reps in.
It's about understanding what you need to feel well and balanced.
Sometimes that's movement. Sometimes it's meditation, breathwork, nature, music, solitude, friendship. It’s finding balance in your world, stopping for a moment when everything around you is moving so fast.
For me, Pilates is one of those things.
I love the practice itself and the way movement makes me feel, but what I hadn't expected when I opened Spring Reform was how much the people within it would give back to me too.
The conversations, friendships, laughter, energy and warmth from our members and beautiful staff have become just as much a part of Spring as the Pilates. I am forever grateful to have that in my life.
About Me, Paula
What Success Means To Me
I've never measured success purely by money, possessions or numbers.
For me, success is about positive impact. Changing a life for the better.
If someone becomes stronger and more confident in their body because they found Spring, that's success.
If two people meet in a class and become lifelong friends, that's success.
If someone discovers a love of Pilates here and eventually becomes an instructor themselves, that's success.
I hope that, in some small way, the things I create and the work I do make people's lives a little better.
What Keeps Us Focused
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What Keeps Us Focused 〰️
There are a lot of Pilates studios around, and that's okay.
I don't spend time worrying about what other studios are doing, what they're offering or how many followers they have.
My focus is here.
On our members.
Do they feel welcome?
Do they feel heard?
Do they feel supported?
Are we helping them become stronger, healthier and more confident?
And, most importantly:
Do they leave feeling better than when they arrived?
If the answer is yes, then Spring Reform is doing exactly what I dreamed it would do.
— Paula
Founder, Spring Reform