Nurturing a whole body and mind experience for your clients

You know it when you hear it; when you feel it in your body.  When you lay on a carriage and you’re invited to find your centre, to allow your shoulders to fall away, to float out and peel open each spring, to fully integrate your breath with every muscle in a beautiful harmony of movement.  This is a person’s experience when they are guided through Pilates repertoire with a STOTT PILATES® instructor, and Anna and I wanted nothing less for ourselves and our clients. 

In 2017, Anna was a studio manager and Pilates instructor with a national fitness franchise, and I met her as a student in her classes.  Within weeks, we knew we were soul mates.  Our shared passion soon ignited our need to study Pilates with the best education provider in the world, and to create a studio space that was both warm and nurturing, yet undeniable in its focus on exceptional instruction, education and class experience.

The training and certification process through STOTT PILATES® is rigorous, and for very good reason.  Pilates isn’t just about cueing an exercise; it starts with creating mind-body awareness which is critical when learning a new movement pattern.  Connecting breath to muscle activation, stabilisation of the pelvic and shoulder girdles throughout static and dynamic positions, as well as integrating biomechanical principles to move with support and without unnecessary tension.

Our teaching philosophy is based on compassion and relationship.  Our instructors all possess a beautiful combination of outstanding technical ability and empathy.  Our core focus is on building and nurturing the relationship between ourselves and our clients.  We are authentic:- with every cue, modification and invitation coming from a place of guidance and support. 

Anna and I are confident that our STOTT PILATES® training has equipped us with the highest level of anatomical knowledge and Pilates repertoire; and by blending this with biopsychosocial methodologies, we move and nurture both the body and the mind.  Our programming is fluid and influenced by lifestyle, cultural and social factors experienced by our clients.  We are constantly learning, constantly seeking to improve our understanding, and in turn, we are considerate, patient and gentle when explaining and educating those participating in our classes. 

At Inna Essence, we are setting our clients up to experience optimal movement and awaken awareness within their body.  We teach in a way where there is no separation between us and the physical and emotional class experience.  Pilates is our vehicle to promote optimal alignment and movement quality, and we continually reference and integrate the STOTT PILATES® principles in exercise initiation and execution:

Breathing

Pelvic Placement

Rib cage Placement

Scapular Movement & Stabilisation

Head & Cervical Placement

Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot Alignment

Anna and I are incredibly invested in the benefits of understanding the interdependence of each of these principles and sharing that with our clients.  Introductory Reformer classes provide a group environment for individuals new to Pilates, and particularly Reformer, to be honoured with the time and knowledge of our instructors to learn, understand, and integrate these principles from their very first experience with our studio.

Inna Essence is a beautiful, safe and inclusive sanctuary, a destination where our visitors and members can breathe, know they will receive a warm smile, a gentle touch, and a personal welcome that assures them that they have arrived home.  We are a Pilates and Yoga studio of belonging and peace, and we attract predominantly women who are in a season of their lives where their physical health and emotional wellbeing needs to be nurtured.

Our studio space was carefully designed, with a central reception area featuring gorgeous dried floral arrangements, comfortable chairs, warm tones and a signature oil blend we diffuse which our members instantly recognise.

Our clients love the blend of efficient and graceful movement, the combination of freedom and flow of some classes, to the control and stability of other sessions. 

The class experience at Inna Essence is one of shared responsibility; as instructors we see the importance of understanding our clients’ life-experience.  Our observational skills, active listening, deep connection and maintaining complete presence are non-negotiables. 

It is our deepest desire that our clients feel that our classes, instructors and studio create significant change and positivity within their life.  That every class is meaningful, thoughtful, challenging and lovingly delivered. What’s not to love about that sort of supportive and nurturing environment?

Anna and Andrea are co-owners of Inna Essence in Underwood, Queensland, Australia. Winners of the Australian Enterprise Awards Most Hospitable Wellness Studio Queensland 2023 and Australian Small Business Champion Awards Finalists for 2022 and 2023.

They are also a Merrithew® Host Training Centre for STOTT PILATES® courses. Join them for Intensive Matwork or Intensive Reformer courses in July/August 2023.