This year we’re shining a light on our neighbouring independent businesses in Chapel Allerton.
Just walk down the Harrogate Road and you’ll find a great selection of independent shops and businesses for all your gift, food and well-being needs.
This week we’re focusing on Chapel Allerton Pilates, a Pilates studio run by 2nd generation pilates teacher Claire Sparrow.
To get to know Chapel Allerton Pilates a little bit more, here’s a little interview I did with Claire …
Tell me a little bit about yourself & your business
I am honoured to lead an incredible team of the most qualified and experienced Pilates teachers in Leeds. Each teacher has been mentored by me in a traditional apprenticeship as it was done by Joseph Pilates on top of their six month training and six month minimum certification process. They each have extensive anatomy and physiology knowledge and have specialised in osteoporosis, scoliosis, pelvic organ prolapse, low back pain, sciatica, disc bulges, pregnancy and postnatal. I really am proud of them. Everyone teaches Pilates because they know there is so much potential to prevent, heal and thrive through expertly taught movement. They are inherently biased to help others and can see what is possible for everyone without exception.
Chapel Allerton Pilates is a traditional fully equipped Pilates studio where we use our expertise to select and teach the precise exercise on the best bit of apparatus for the individual. I love that everyday is an opportunity to be creative and problem solve based on what each client comes in and says they need or what injury they may be recovering from. We joke that we are like Pilates detectives, solving body’s one Pilates exercise at a time.
How did you get into doing what you’re doing?
I’m Claire Sparrow. I have been doing Pilates since I was a teenager and have been teaching for 25 years. I got into it very young as body conditioning for dancers and it wasn’t until I was 19 in my second year at university that I sustained knee injuries that prevented me from dancing so I had nowhere else to go but the Pilates studio. After 9 months of daily work in the studio mainly on the Reformer or as we called it at the time the plie machine, I was stronger than I thought was possible, more flexible and had more stamina, so much so that when I got back in the dance studio I was dancing better than ever and like I had no time off. I knew then there was something in it and vowed to become a teacher. I then trained extensively in London, Canada and hosted anatomy and science lead Polestar Pilates teacher training here in Leeds so I could learn from the best. In 2017 I took my love of Pilates to the next level when I was invited by Lolita San Miguel, one of only two people Joseph Pilates certified to teach his method, to go to Florida to train with her to become a Second Generation Teacher. This was a full circle moment going from injured dancer at 19 to the highest worldwide qualification in Pilates at 40.
What does a ‘normal’ day look like?
Before I even leave for the studio I have a rigorous morning routine that includes restorative Pilates and a cardio workout followed by a cold shower then I have my porridge or overnight oats. About 12 years ago we moved to Moortown corner so that we could create a walking world so everything we need from shops to school and work are all walkable. That means at 8am I head out the door on foot with my airpods in listening to a book or podcast. When I arrive at the studio I put all the many lights on & music to create an calm and ambient atmosphere ready for our clients. Then from 8.30am it’s revolving doors of clients 121 and Pilates gyms. I get to see so many amazing people throughout the day including my team who are also in teaching 121’s and classes alongside me. I usually have lunch about 12.30 which is often rice veg and salmon and some days I spend the afternoon teaching 121 clients or I am writing the many newsletters and blogs we produce. I finish around 5pm and will head over to the Chapel A Lawn Tennis club to the gym for my cardio and sauna before walking home. The evening can include online teaching teachers that I support internationally or client appreciation classes by zoom. By 9pm I’m 100% ready to start winding down so I tend do a meditation and some Whole Body Pelvic Health Pilates exercises
Favourite time in the business?
Celebrating wins. My most favourite times are when our clients achieve a big win or a goal whether it be that their arms look fabulous in the mother of the bride outfit or they give birth with ease and recover fast or they reduce their golf handicap or complete the triathlon they’ve been training for injury free. My team is with them every step of the way through all life events and we celebrate them all.
Is there another business in Chapel Allerton you’d like to run for a day?
I love this question and I think because I love peoples stories I would like to work at Chirpy to learn all about all the individual makers and contributors. I love learning people's why behind what they do. I think to be an independent business or self-employed you must have a really deep purpose or reason behind it because it’s not an easy road.
Plans for 2025 / the future?
It has been 9 years this year since we moved to Chapel A so we decided it would be an exciting time to refresh with some new branding and something exciting in our huge front window. Last year we replaced all our Reformers and expanded our Reformer studio so this year our SpringWall Studio is getting a refresh.
Why should people shop local and support their local indie businesses?
Nothing beats the experience of shopping locally, getting genuine help choosing the best item, supporting people with purpose and often it is better for the environment and you because you can just walk.
For me it’s also just taking the time to speak to people, have a human connection and build relationships. The world is built on people and life is built on people so we need these connections with people to thrive.
Something funny / unusual / different about yourself that perhaps different about yourself that perhaps your customers don’t know!
I’m an open book they know it all lol
One thing some might not know is I have played the same music on cd for the last 17 years. The composer emailed me and said his parents do Pilates and he thought his music would be good. It was and still is today.
Where can we find you?
90 Harrogate Road
Open 7 days a week
Mon - Thu 8-9.30pm / Friday 8.30 - 6pm / Sat - Sun 8am - 2pm
www.chapelallertonpilates.co.uk
@chapelallertonpilates
Chapel Allerton Pilates FB