Rise Pilates
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

Natasha Abercrombie

Advanced Mat and Comprehensive Instructor

Natasha has a diverse background in movement disciplines, including horse riding, track and field, netball, swimming, dance, yoga, snowboarding, and skiing. Her passion for Pilates was born after an injury during her dance studies, when Pilates became the only exercise that allowed her to move without pain or discomfort. This experience not only sparked her love for Pilates but also highlighted its ability to enhance strength and performance in all areas of life.

Natasha is highly trained with Body Control Pilates, specializing in matwork, reformer, and cadillac, and has worked with leading physiotherapy clinics in London. Currently pursuing her studies to become an osteopath, Natasha is deeply committed to a holistic approach to rehabilitation and movement therapy. Natasha is currently in her last year of Osteopathy training. 

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.

Beth Davies

Pilates Instructor

We live in a busy world, full of distractions. I like to create space for clients to get lost in the magic of Pilates, helping them to switch off and reconnect to their bodies.

For me, the magic of Pilates is in the detail. Through helping my clients focus on this detail, they not only get a more effective practice but remain present in the moment.

I love watching how Pilates makes my clients feel, as well as the visible progres they make with each session. No matter where they're at on their Pilates journey.

Lucy Maraschino

Pilates Studio Sales Manager

As a dedicated Pilates Sales Manager, I bring a passion for both fitness and client success. With a strong background in Pilates and a deep understanding of the transformative power of movement, I focus on connecting clients with tailored Pilates programs that meet their individual goals. My role is to ensure a seamless experience, from the first point of contact through to class enrollment, guiding clients towards a personalized path that enhances their strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. By fostering strong relationships and understanding client needs, I aim to create a welcoming and results-driven environment that supports long-term growth and satisfaction.

I am also an experienced masseuse as well as the RISE Pilates Sales manager, with over 11 years of expertise. With a diverse background spanning over 20 years, I have trained in a range of disciplines including kickboxing, surfing, running, swimming, yoga, and cycling. Previously a professional circus performer with a focus on static trapeze and a recent convert to Equipment Pilates which i absolutely love!

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.