Pilates & The Nervous System: How Movement Calms the Mind
Pilates was the first form of movement I truly fell in love with. It was the practice that felt intuitive, strengthening and grounding — something I actually wanted to return to, day after day. That connection with movement sparked my journey to becoming a Pilates instructor.
But when I moved home to Broughton Astley, I fell out of a consistent practice. Life was shifting in big, foundational ways — new routines, new surroundings and the gradual letting go of habits that had once kept me steady. What I didn’t realise at the time was just how much I needed movement — not just for my body, but for my nervous system.
The Cost of Ignoring What Keeps You Grounded
At first, I brushed it off. But slowly, I started feeling the effects of being disconnected from my routine. The adjustments I was making in life were big, and I wasn’t balancing them with the things I needed to feel well.
By the end of last year, I found myself in two hospital admissions for IV fluids, feeling completely unfamiliar in my own body and mind. It wasn’t just the physical symptoms — it was the mental fog, the sense of disconnection and the realisation that I had ignored what kept me steady.
That journey has shaped everything about Sojourn.
Movement as a Reset for the Nervous System
The classes at Sojourn — Ignite, Flow and Pause — aren’t just workouts. They represent phases of life, ones I have personally moved through many times. There are moments to push, to soften, to find rhythm, to hold stillness. Each one plays a role in nervous system regulation.
Here’s how Pilates supports the nervous system and why it should be a cornerstone of any wellness routine:
Breath & Control – Pilates encourages deep, controlled breathing, activating the parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” state), reducing stress and cortisol levels.
Rhythmic, Intentional Movement – The repetitive, fluid nature of Pilates helps regulate the nervous system, creating a sense of flow that soothes the mind and body.
Strength & Stability – When the body feels strong and aligned, the mind follows. Pilates strengthens the core, improves posture and reduces physical stress on the body, which in turn calms the mind.
Mind-Body Connection – The focused, low-impact nature of Pilates helps to rewire stress responses, shifting the body out of fight-or-flight and into a space of balance.
Finding Balance in a Constantly Moving World
I am still on this journey. I imagine I always will be. There are things I am still putting in place to restore equilibrium to my nervous system, to make sure I am staying connected, balanced and well.
That’s why Sojourn exists — to be a space where you can pause and transform. A space to find balance between intensity and stillness, challenge and rest.
The word sojourn means a temporary stay, a pause in the journey. That’s what I hope this studio will be for you — whether you come in to ignite, to flow, or simply to pause.
Your Nervous System & Sojourn
Pilates isn’t just a workout — it’s a reset button for your nervous system. Whether you’re craving energy, rhythm, or restoration, there’s a class here designed to bring you back to balance.
Join us at Sojourn and experience it for yourself. Join the waitlist.
