A Modern Approach to Pilates

Listen to your body. Prioritize that which makes you feel good. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. These are the wellness philosophies of Kirsten King, founder of Fluidform Pilates, a hybrid, in-person and digital experience with a modern approach to pilates—so that each of us rē•aligns our movements to better our physical and mental wellbeing.

King has rē-imagined her approach to the beloved mind-body workout. She combines her technical knowledge with a supportive environment and personalized program to help those with unique needs on their journeys. By delving deeper into the ethos of pilates, we can whole-heartedly embrace the mind-body connection, unlocking a new level of consciousness.

King’s personal journey to create Fluidform pilates started after discovering her love for functional movement. The idea came to her following a relocation from Australia to the UK. She transformed this newfound love into a career as she transitioned from corporate marketing to pilates instructor. King strengthened her appreciation for functional, effective movement that was beneficial for her physical and mental health. Once she relocated to Australia, she opened her first studio in Sydney. Fluidform pilates was welcomed into the world.

Today, King operates three studios within Australia. They exist along with a global, online program to share Fluidform’s philosophy. This makes her practices accessible and broadens a treasured sense of community. Through Fluidform at Home, King wholly embraces the goal of strengthening and nourishing our bodies, encouraging connection with a community through shared experience.

Individuals have access to hundreds of on-demand workouts. These include movement challenges designed to create change within your body, recipes, and meal plans. Plus, there is a global community at the center of it to promote a transformative effect on your mind and body. The personalization of the in-person practices is not lost through Fluidform at Home. It creates widespread accessibility rather than localized reachings. Each member will have a 21-day personalized program to kick start their journey and follow the ethos King intended.

Fluidform takes a holistic approach to our health and wellness. It seeks the necessary balance we need within our lives. It combines intelligent workouts, nutritional guidance, and support tailored to the user’s specific needs. Our journeys are carved out for us as we pursue the path forward. In addition, we’re given the tools to help strengthen multiple aspects of our lives beyond our physical selves. We are aided in working toward bettering our mental and emotional health. 

It’s about strengthening our small, deep muscles, focusing on breathing, balance, and posture to activate our strengths and efficiently improve our stability and performance. That’s what gives us the power to change our bodies for the better, leading to a positive ripple effect throughout the rest of our being. King explains, “Our minds quickly start to feel the effects of being stronger, more energized, and capable. We start to stand taller and breathe more efficiently. We build healthy, daily rituals across all aspects of life.”

But where can we find our motivation? How can we connect the dots within our inner and outer selves to find harmony? As it turns out, there’s one feeling and state at the root of Fluidform’s methodology: confidence. Our physical appearance is not part of this confidence, but rather, our inner strength is derived from being in tune with our bodies. Feeling that deep connection helps us know what feels right.

“Our confidence plays a major role in our movement routine,” King explains. “It is the motivator to wake up in the morning and move our bodies. With confidence comes a commitment to the process, a passion for moving and feeling good, and dedication to becoming the best versions of ourselves. Without inner confidence, we can develop unhealthy relationships with exercise and health which will have long-term effects on our physical and mental health.”

“Everybody is different, and every person is on a different journey,” King tells rē•spin. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to our health and wellbeing. By creating unique programs for each individual, King takes the time to observe her clients. She listens and understands their needs and assesses their bodies before applying Fluidform’s fundamentals. King explains, “I want to impact every person who experiences Fluidform positively. I always say to my staff, ‘Teach the body in front of you.'”

Whether it’s an in-studio class or digital session, Fluidform pilates centers on repetition through its practices. King says that 20 minutes a day, five days a week, is all an individual needs to see physical and mental strength results. Therefore, it was essential to King that Fluidform pilates felt accessible. As a result, it now allows anyone the flexibility to practice anytime and anywhere.

As for some of King’s favorite moves, it wasn’t easy to narrow them down. She selected four of her favorite movements to share with the rē•spin community. These will help rē-introduce functional movement back into our lives, one practice at a time. They also showcase the deeper connection each has with our bodies.

“Pelvic curls mobilize the lumbar spine and engage the high hamstrings, inner thighs, and glutes. King says that practicing pelvic curls allows the nervous system to settle as we prepare our bodies to move,” King says. “Lunges are one of the most functional movements. They integrate the upper and lower body and are a great way to tone legs and glutes. Lunges are a must-exercise for all ages as they tone the muscles, improve balance and increase heart rate.”

King also likes to integrate and focus on ab workouts, explaining, “There are so many benefits to abdominal work, and it’s always a good idea to integrate them into your workouts. For example, working our abs benefits our digestive system.”

“Planks are a total body move perfect for strengthening the back chain of the body,” she adds. “Our back chain has become progressively weaker due to working from home, poor postural habits, and overuse of technology. The plank allows the body to be long, lengthened, and aligned. In addition, the plank strengthens the shoulders and the muscles around the shoulders, spine, and pelvis.”

For Kirsten King, whole-body health requires understanding and engaging the body in its entirety—for a stronger self in every sense of the word.