Laura Lewis Movement

Laura Lewis Movement We are all about movement, movement is a great therapy for the body. Aston for Pilates utilises the There is something for everyone. With you in mind.

Laura is an Aston for Pilates teacher, first aid trained, fully insured and CRB checked and is based in Axminster. Laura travelled to Nevada USA, to obtain a qualification in Aston for pilates, ergonomics, and movement coaching. She is currently one of five in the Uk who has this qualification. What ever the reasons are for taking up pilates, whether it be for, Sciatica, Hyper-mobility, back issues, MS, pregnancy, toning, or stretching. Laura helps people discover what they can achieve with in their body, and will help put in place the tools necessary for whatever life may through at us.

20/02/2026

Little bit of practice time.






With a background in massage therapy, I always reach for a Franklin ball ✨In this day and age, so many of us are holding...
14/02/2026

With a background in massage therapy, I always reach for a Franklin ball ✨

In this day and age, so many of us are holding onto patterns that no longer serve us — tension in the shoulders, tight hips, bracing in the jaw… holding, holding, holding.

Here’s something interesting:

When you use a hard object like a tennis ball or rolling pin, it can actually create more pain because of resistance. The body instinctively pushes back — equal and opposite reaction. More force, more guarding.

But when you use a softer tool, the body feels safe.
It allows.
It releases.
It lets go.

Gentle doesn’t mean ineffective.
It means intelligent. 💛

Relax and restore.

Movement is medicine.

When I teach movement, it’s very rare that I choose exercises where we lift the head, neck, and shoulders off the mat.An...
08/02/2026

When I teach movement, it’s very rare that I choose exercises where we lift the head, neck, and shoulders off the mat.

And here’s why 👇

Exercises like The Hundred shorten the abdominal muscles.

At the same time, most people already live in flexion—from desk work, phones, driving, and daily stress.

Neck pain.
Tight shoulders.
Collapsed posture.
They don’t need more flexion.

They need length through the body and width and depth through the chest.

That’s why I prioritize movements that restore balance.

Occasionally, I do teach a lift of the head, neck, and shoulders—but never as a simple “curl up.”

Instead, the focus is on sliding and gently pushing the palms along the mat as you rise.

This uses ground reaction force to: • Support alignment
• Create stability
• Reduce unnecessary neck tension
• Build strength with intention

It’s not about how high you lift.

It’s about how you organize the body to move well.
Movement should help you feel better in your body—not reinforce what’s already overloaded.

Save this if you teach or practice mindful movement 🤍

07/02/2026

A little about me & how Pilates became such a big part of my life ✨

I started Pilates at 14 after developing back pain from competitive ice skating — and I was instantly hooked. Pilates allowed me to continue skating, performing in shows around the world, including Holiday on Ice.
I went on to coach ice skating in Dubai, London (Queensway) and Bracknell.

In 2006 I qualified as a Pilates instructor, teaching alongside my skating career.

After becoming ill with labyrinthitis, my skating career came to an end — but it led me to become a full-time Pilates teacher. I’m now also a Pilates teacher trainer and assessor for two leading education boards (which definitely keeps me busy!).

Outside the studio, I’m married to a magician (yes, really ✨) who’s a member of The Magic Circle. We have two boys and a serious love for reptiles — a snake, a bearded dragon, and an Iranian eyelid gecko 🦎

Thanks for reading 🤍

04/02/2026

✨ The one-leg circle is intended to develop both stability and mobility; however, in practice it prioritises pelvic stabilisation over joint freedom. By anchoring the pelvis to prevent rotation or tilt, the exercise limits the natural contribution of the pelvis and lumbar spine to hip movement. This reduces the available range of motion at the hip joint and alters normal movement sequencing. As a result, the exercise functions less as a mobility drill and more as a core-driven stability exercise, emphasising neuromuscular control and anti-movement rather than joint exploration.

👉 Why it restrict movement (the science, plainly)

✨ Pelvic fixation reduces degrees of freedom: Normal hip motion involves subtle pelvic rotation and weight shift. Preventing this removes a key component of efficient movement.

✨ Increased stabiliser demand: Deep core and hip stabilisers (e.g., transverse abdominis, multifidus) must co-contract to hold the pelvis still, which dampens limb excursion.

✨ Altered motor strategy: The nervous system prioritises control over range, leading to smaller, more constrained circles.

✨ Joint isolation effect: By isolating the femur moving in the acetabulum without pelvic contribution, the exercise limits global mobility in favor of segmental control.

In order to mobilise we have to learn to release and let go, some issues that we face are that we are too tight, which is why it's important to learn the difference.




31/01/2026

Hot take 🔥
The Reformer came BEFORE mat work.
Yep. Pilates didn’t start on a mat with just bodyweight and good intentions.
Joseph Pilates originally created the Reformer to: ✨ support the body

✨ guide proper movement
✨ build strength with feedback
✨ help injured or deconditioned people move safely
Mat work came later — once the body had the strength,
control, and awareness to support itself without assistance.

Let’s bust a few myths ⬇️

❌ “Mat is easier than Reformer”
→ Nope. Mat is actually more advanced because you are the resistance.

❌ “Reformer is just fancy or trendy”
→ It was designed as a rehabilitation + strength tool.

❌ “You should always start on the mat first”
→ Not always. The Reformer teaches alignment, control, and connection that transfers beautifully to mat.
If you’re ready to learn the work the way it was intended 👇
Foundation & Modified Reformer Classes:
🖤 Wednesdays
• 9:30 AM — Foundation Flow
🖤 Thursdays
• 2:00 PM — Modified
• 6:00 PM — Foundation Flow
• 7:00 PM — Foundation Flow
🖤 Fridays
• 2:00 PM — Foundation Flow

The Reformer isn’t a shortcut — it’s a teacher.
And mat work? That’s the exam. 😉

Save this, share it, and come move with intention. 🖤
👇👇👇
Link in bio to book.




30/01/2026

Lovely classes, so lovely to see all the progress this month.





28/01/2026

This week has so far been a bit of an odd one, one that has thrown me out of routine. If anyone knows me they will know how I love routine. This week we had to deal with the floods, which disrupted people getting to their classes, to work and all sorts.
So yesterday, Tuesday night I did the whole class online instead, much better to play it safe. Then Taron hasn't been well for 3 days and no school for him. Although I can feel myself catching the snuffles I am going to try my hardest to warn off the germs.

My little things I go to is make myself a smoothie, with spinach, and bananas. And a few other ingredients. And make myself miso soup, which is good for the blood. Plus I keep trying to exercise.

What are your go to methods to warn off the winter bugs?
🤧😷🤒

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Axminster

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 8am - 3pm

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