Rise Pilates
Bristol

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The Rise Experience

At RISE Pilates, our mission is to empower every individual through mindful movement, personalised attention, and a transformative Pilates experience. In our intimate boutique studio, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring environment where clients can be their best version- building strength, balance, and confidence from the inside out. Through expert instruction and a holistic approach, we strive to foster both physical and mental well-being, helping each person achieve lasting results and a deeper connection to their body

new To Rise Offers

Rise Pilates (26)

Starter Offer - £89

Private 1:1 and 2x Group Reformer Classes

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Elevate Experience - £120

3 Private 1:1 sessions tailored to you

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What We Offer

Small Group Mat Pilates

Experience the perfect balance of personalised attention and community energy with our Small Group Mat Pilates classes. Limited to an intimate number of participants, these sessions ensure you receive focused guidance from our expert instructors while enjoying the motivation and camaraderie of a group setting. Each class is designed to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and enhance your mind-body connection, all within the serene ambiance of our boutique studio. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to deepen your practice, our small group classes offer the ideal environment to challenge yourself and achieve your fitness goals. Join us and discover the power of Pilates in a supportive and inspiring space.

Group Reformer Pilates: Personalised Approach

Elevate your practice with our Group Reformer class, designed for those who seek a dynamic and fluid Pilates experience. In this small, boutique setting, our expert instructors guide you through seamless transitions on the Reformer, focusing on precision, control, and breath. Perfect for all levels, this class combines strength, flexibility, and mindful movement, offering a full-body workout in a refined, intimate studio environment.

1:1 Personalised Pilates

Experience the pinnacle of personalised care and attention with our 1:1 Personalised Pilates sessions. Tailored to meet your individual needs, these one-on-one classes allow you to work closely with our expert instructors in a completely private setting. During your session, you’ll have the entire studio to yourself, enjoying exclusive access to our state-of-the-art equipment in a beautiful, peaceful space. Whether you’re seeking rehabilitation, managing pre or post-natal health, addressing long-term health issues, or striving for optimal fitness and performance, our dedicated instructors will design a program just for you. This bespoke approach fosters a deep connection between you and your instructor, maximizing the effectiveness of your time and effort. Achieve your wellness goals with precision and care, and experience the transformative power of truly personalised Pilates in an environment that is as supportive as it is serene.

 

2:1 Tailored Pilates for Couples or Pairs

Share the journey to health and well-being with a partner in our 2:1 Tailored Pilates sessions. Perfect for couples or friends, these sessions offer the unique opportunity to experience personalized instruction while enjoying the camaraderie and support of working out with a loved one. With just two participants, our instructors can still provide highly tailored guidance, ensuring that each of you receives the attention you need to progress towards your individual goals. Whether you’re focusing on rehabilitation, prenatal or postnatal health, long-term health management, or striving for peak fitness and vitality, our 2:1 sessions offer a deeply personalized experience that fosters connection and mutual support. Strengthen your bond while pursuing your wellness journey together.

 

Why Pilates

Pilates is a robust, evidence-based, health and performance system that features global body movement and holistic wellbeing strategies. Evolving from more traditional yoga poses and practices, Pilates incorporates scientific, strategic strength and conditioning for the whole body.

Meet Our Team

Stefani Carley-Smith

Founder | Advanced Mat and Comprehensive Instructor

Stefani directs our Pilates offering at RISE. A highly experienced instructor, she gained her skills working in a variety of clinics, studios and private settings, and has now realised her dream of leading her own studio as a Pilates Reformer and Equipment instructor.

Stefani has experience working with a diverse range of clientele including high level athletes focussed on performance, the general public looking for improvements in flexibility, poise, posture and body confidence, low back pain sufferers needing core conditioning and strength, and specialist groups such as pre-natal and post-natal pilates classes.

Stefani is an athlete herself; a former international gymnast, skier, surfer and endurance runner. She has used Pilates to help support her own return to fitness from injuries and bounce back to form. As a mum of three she has used Pilates for her own practice to get back to optimum health and keep an active lifestyle. Her Pilates teaching emphasises quality movement, posture and flow, with a focus on building strength and fitness no matter what level you start from. 

Jemima Thomson

Advanced Mat and Comprehensive Instructor

While training as a professional dancer at London Studio Centre, Jemima was introduced to pilates and was amazed to discover the effect it had on her training and injury recovery. She followed her passion of pilates and went straight into the fitness industry after graduating; building up 5 years of experience teaching various classes at one of London’s leading studios, including pilates, barre and rebounding.

Jemima is motivated by sharing the gift of movement and the impact it can have not only on professional training but in everyday functional mobility, stability and movement patterns. She loves to help her students build confidence within their own sustainable strength and strives to provide an inclusive experience in both group and individual settings. She has provided classes for a wide spectrum of needs from beginners to more challenging classes for building strength and fitness.

Qualifications

  • Pilates Reformer STOTT
  • Level 2 Fitness with Move Your Frame Academy
  • Level 2 Pre and Post natal Fitness with Move Your Frame Academy
  • First Class Honors Degree BA Hons Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre

Amanda Formisano

Advanced Mat and Reformer Instructor

Amanda first encountered Pilates in her mid-twenties while working as a pastry chef in Edinburgh. With a lifelong love for ballet and contemporary dance, she was captivated by the grace and somatic awareness Pilates offered. She trained with STOTT, focusing on a contemporary approach to the classical method, specializing in mat and reformer Pilates.

Her teaching style blends classical Pilates with modern biomechanics, while emphasizing inclusivity and diversity. Amanda's classes center on the core principles of Pilates—breath, concentration, control, precision, center, and flow—with particular focus on breath and fluid movement.

A passionate yogi and climber, Amanda is certified in Vinyasa, Rocket, Mandala, Yin, and Pregnancy Yoga. When not teaching, she enjoys outdoor sport climbing. Her Pilates and yoga classes offer a strong, steady flow, designed to balance the body and calm the mind.

Hannah Robbins

Advanced Mat and Comprehensive Trainee Instructor

Hannah first discovered Pilates while seeking a wellness practice to complement her corporate lifestyle. It quickly became a time-efficient, reliable method for self-healing and strengthening, with long-lasting positive effects on her overall health. Inspired by its transformative impact, she pursued an in-depth study of Pilates, earning her Level 3 teacher training qualification with the internationally recognized Body Control Pilates in 2016, with additional training in pre- and postnatal Pilates.

Currently advancing her expertise with a fully comprehensive apparatus certification through BASI Pilates, Hannah is committed to offering personalized instruction that both challenges and honors each individual body. Her classes foster a sense of calm and flow, creating a peaceful environment for mind and body release.

Jo Higglet

Advanced Mat and Reformer Instructor

With over 15 years of Pilates experience, my journey began as I transitioned from professional dancing into teaching. Pilates struck the perfect balance between creativity, flow, and technical precision, leaving me feeling rejuvenated after every session. When the opportunity to teach came along, it opened doors I never imagined, guiding me into a rewarding career filled with continuous growth.

My favorite aspect of teaching is the endless variety and depth Pilates offers. It’s a practice that constantly evolves, allowing both me and my clients to keep learning and progressing.

In my classes you'll see that I’m passionate about bringing out the best in each individual, whether through a gentle guide or a motivating challenge. I design flows that not only feel good but also deliver tangible benefits, ensuring every session is purposeful and transformative.

Josie Bower

Reformer and Fully Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Trainee

Josie, a contemporary dance graduate and current comprehensive apprentice with Polestar Pilates, is deeply passionate about fostering an environment where clients can have transformative movement experiences. Drawing from her dance background, she understands the importance of fluidity, control, and body awareness, which she integrates into her Pilates teaching. Josie is dedicated to empowering her clients by helping them explore their physical potential through the use of Pilates equipment, guiding them to build strength, improve flexibility, and deepen their connection to their bodies in a positive and supportive space.

Lucy Maraschino

Reformer Pilates Instructor / Qualified Massage Therapist
Lucy is both a talented Reformer Pilates Instructor and a qualified massage therapist, bringing a unique blend of movement expertise and holistic care to her sessions. With a solid background in Pilates and a deep belief in the power of mindful movement, Lucy takes the time to create tailored Reformer programs that align with each person’s individual goals. Lucy's focus is always on providing a warm, seamless experience that supports long-term progress and lasting wellbeing.

Simon Carley-Smith

SPECIALIST CLIMBING AND SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST | EXTENDED SCOPE PRACTITIONER | BSC HONS MCSP HCPC PGDIP

Simon is a highly experienced specialist physiotherapist, practicing at the highest clinical levels in both sports and NHS Physiotherapy. He is a founder and Director of RISE and leads the clinical team. Having a special interest in finger, elbow and shoulder injuries, his passion and knowledge around diagnosis and treatment of all climbing related injuries is unrivalled in the South West of England or South Wales, and he regularly treats and advises climbers operating and competing at the very highest levels; IFSC competitors, GB Squad members and World Cup Gold Medalists.

He is also a keen Surfer and can be found regularly migrating to get in the water at his old home in North Cornwall, the Gower and when able, Hossegor for sunnier climes. More locally you'll bump into surfing him at The Wave. Simon also has a special interest in treating surfers for neck, spine, shoulder and knee issues related to surfing.

Simon is also a diehard skier, having lived a seasonal life in the Alps prior to settling in Bristol. He lends his passion and understanding of performance, backcountry and free-ride skiing to ski-specific rehabilitation.

Furthermore Simon is extremely proud to have worked with the English Institute of Sport, supporting Womens Artistic Gymnasts on the British Gymnastics team with weekly prehab, rehabilitation and performance focussed therapy in the run up to the 2021 Olympics.
He has a broad experience of top level sport, from working in Premiership Football to supporting athletes at the World Half Marathon Championships and Olympic training camps.
In the NHS he has worked as an Extended Scope Practitioner and FCP, providing advanced diagnosis and second opinions on complex cases, delivering injection therapy and making decisions on appropriateness for surgical intervention.
With his diverse clinical background Simon has the assessment skills to get you an accurate diagnosis, and the hands on therapy and rehabilitation expertise to keep you in your chosen sport and return you to form in the minimum of time. His practice involves a combination of exercise therapy, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, acupuncture, joint mobilisation and manipulation.
For more complex or serious injuries his in depth knowledge of NHS and private healthcare processes ensure you get a thorough and honest opinion of your appropriateness for rehabilitation and other options open to you for management of your condition.

Chessy

REFORMER PILATES INSTRUCTOR
A qualified Reformer Pilates and Mat Pilates Instructor passionate about delivering a fabulous reformer pilates class. With 9+ years of training as a professional dancer, working to the best of her ability comes as second nature, alongside striving to embark on new challenges and experiences.

KIM

REFORMER PILATES INSTRUCTOR
Comes from a dance background, training in Ballet and Contemporary and further studied Dance & Performance at Falmouth University of Arts. Kim is currently completing a Level 3 Pilates course and Reformer training. Alongside teaching Pilates, Kim teaches dance and barre. Kim aims to bring flowing transitions throughout her classes and a warm and friendly space for everyone to enjoy moving!

Beccy

REFORMER PILATES INSTRUCTOR
Beccy (Rebecca) began her journey with Pilates as a working Mum juggling a career and 2 children. Pilates had such a positive impact she decided to train as an instructor. Working as a consultant in social care Beccy understands the importance of movement for physical and mental health. Pilates in particular harnesses the connection between mind and body allowing clients to spend time reconnecting with themselves. Beccy is APPI certified in mat and reformer Pilates. She also has a qualification in developing exercise for people with disabilities and exercise referral.

Hannah

REFORMER PILATES INSTRUCTOR
Hannah is a highly motivated Reformer Pilates Instructor who thrives when teaching reformer pilates classes. Hannah brings great energy to every session and loves building strong connections with her clients. Whether she’s guiding a group through a challenging class or sharing a laugh, Hannah creates a welcoming, upbeat reformer pilates atmosphere that keeps people coming back for more.

Booking

If you would like to book an appointment or have any questions, please get in touch! You can book online by clicking below, call us on 07383677347 or email on risepilatesbristol@gmail.com.

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Find US

RISE Physiotherapy and Pilates, 40 Winterstoke Rd, Bedminster Bristol BS3 2NW

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Mon – Sun, 7am – 10pm