London's Top Fitness Instructor on Movement, Midlife & Why Pilates Is So Much More Than You Think

takeaways

1. Tara Reilly shared how movement became the foundation of managing her rheumatoid arthritis after being diagnosed at 28, choosing initially to explore movement rather than medication.

2. The Tara Reilly Method combines Pilates, barre, strength training and dance cardio, based on the idea that no single discipline gives the body everything it needs.

3. Reformer, mat, Cadillac, chair and tower are all part of the original Pilates system — reformer isn't a more 'premium' or advanced form, despite its recent cultural moment.

4. Modifications and 'meeting yourself where you're at' were emphasised as ways to start moving with autoimmune conditions, chronic pain or hypermobility.

5. On cortisol and strength training, Tara argued high cortisol can't be blamed on strength training alone — sleep, stress, fuelling and recovery all play a part.

6. Fuelling before exercise and listening to your body over tracking devices were discussed, along with starting back into movement via short online or at-home sessions.

chapters