I discovered Pilates during my first pregnancy, but it was after the birth of my twins that I truly embraced it. My second pregnancy had left me physically weakened, with severe diastasis recti that doctors believed only surgery could fix. Having already undergone two C-sections, I was determined to avoid more surgery. This is where Pilates changed everything. Guided by a skilled instructor and physiotherapist, I began to rehab my body. The transformation was remarkable—months later, I no longer needed surgery and felt stronger and more empowered than ever.
This experience ignited my long-held desire to teach Pilates. It became an essential part of my life, and I wanted to share its power with others, helping them feel stronger, more flexible, and happier. I trained with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI), completing hundreds of hours of observation, study, and teaching to become a fully accredited Matwork Instructor. I then pursued my reformer certification, deepening my passion for this incredible method.
During this journey, I defined my own unique style, evolving traditional Pilates into something more powerful and effective - the SDP Method. It’s strong, bold, and uncompromising, yet deeply inspired by the principles of reformer Pilates, where form, precision, and meticulous attention to detail are paramount.
- Ex-physiotherpist and all round movement lover, Lorraine first discovered the power of Pilates whilst working as an NHS physiotherapist. From neck pain to foot pain, there was always a Pilates exercise to help! She started her APPI instructor training whilst still working in the NHS, then had a career break to have her 2 children.
- One ectopic pregnancy with emergency surgery and two c-sections later, it’s fair to say Lorraine’s body had been through the mill! Just like Sam, this is where Pilates came to her rescue. She felt weak and had lost her confidence with exercise. Since then, Pilates has been transformative on so many levels for Lorraine; it has given her strength, length and improved posture whilst also offering a form of meditation to release from the stress of the day with two small kids!
- And that’s why when Lorraine returned to work, she decided to become a Pilates instructor full time. Whilst she is no longer a practising physiotherapist, Lorraine has a phenomenal knowledge of body movement, function and injury that she funnels into her teaching everyday.
- Most of all, Lorraine loves to devise bespoke classes that are challenging and fun for her clients. Lorraine fell in love with Sam’s dynamic approach to Pilates and now finds it truly addictive and incredibly effective. Hard enough to feel the burn - feeling truly worked and satisfied, but in a way that is safe and balancing for the body. Lorraine has joined Sam on her mission to help others find their love of Pilates, so that they too can build a strength and confidence in their body that they never knew was possible.
- Tammie has practised Pilates for over ten years and upgraded from her previous career as an Executive Assistant to become a Pilates instructor with a special focus on the ante and postnatal periods.
- Just like Sam, training with APPI means that Tammie’s style of Pilates is a combination of classical Pilates and Physiotherapy which makes it a very safe, functional and effective way to move. For Tammie, keeping fit and active is a way of life. It gives her the physical and mental strength to feel truly empowered in mind and body. She has an amazing can-do attitude and she infuses her clients with strong positive energy.
- Tammie is a Mum herself and came back from pregnancy and a c-section stronger and more confident thanks to her Pilates practice. Away from the mat, Tammie is a massive Peloton nerd and loves to challenge herself lifting weights and comparing what she can chest press with Sam!
- Tammie teaches energising and empowering ante and postnatal mat Pilates on a Friday morning and is available to teach 1:1 classes for beginners to Pilates pros at a variety of times during the week. She is also available to teach clients in their own homes.
prev
next
