The Luma Blog

A clear guide to Reformer Pilates with osteoporosis. What the evidence says, which movements need modifying, why spinal flexion is more nuanced than most people are told, and how Luma Pilates approaches new clients with a diagnosis.

Returning to movement after birth takes more care than most people expect. Here is what postnatal Pilates and Yoga actually looks like, and how Luma approaches it.

The transversus abdominis, multifidus, pelvic floor and diaphragm all contribute to trunk control. Here is what they do and where Pilates fits.

Luma is a boutique studio with small classes. The way it works well for everyone depends on a few straightforward things. Here's what they are and why they matter.

The evidence base for Pilates is real but uneven. Some benefits are fairly well supported. Others are plausible but much harder to prove. A few things the industry regularly claims don't hold up well on closer inspection. Here’s what the research actually shows.

Sciatica is something Lucia sees regularly at Luma. Here's what Pilates can and can't do for sciatic pain, how to approach it safely, and when to seek advice first.

Most people arrive at their first Pilates class knowing roughly what a Reformer looks like. The rest of the equipment is less familiar. Here's what you'll find at Luma and what each piece actually does.

Hypermobility is more common than people realise, and Pilates is one of the most consistently recommended forms of exercise for it. But the approach matters. Here's what you need to know.

Every Luma subscription comes with perks that class packs don't. Here's exactly what you get at each tier and why it matters.

Anyone can call themselves a Pilates instructor. Here's what separates a comprehensively trained instructor from a weekend course, and why it matters.

The women I see making the most consistent physical progress at Luma are often in their fifties and sixties. Not despite their age. Because of what they bring to the practice.

A practical, no-nonsense guide to what actually happens when you start Reformer Pilates while recovering from an injury, from what to tell us before you book through to how classes are adapted around you.

The progression through Luma's class levels is deliberate. Each one builds on the last, and moving through them in order produces better long-term results than jumping ahead. Here’s what to expect at each stage.

Reformer Pilates is one of the most effective forms of exercise available, but it can be hard to know where to start. This guide covers everything: what the Reformer does, who it's for, how it compares to other movement practices, and how to find your way into a consistent practice at Luma Pilates in Edinburgh's New Town.

Menopause changes the body in ways that most exercise programmes are not designed to address. Reformer Pilates and Yoga are two of the most effective tools available during this transition. Here’s why, from someone who knows firsthand.

Hip pain is one of the most common complaints we hear at Luma. Whether it's tightness from sitting too much, discomfort from an old injury, or the early signs of arthritis, Pilates can make a real difference.

Shoulder and neck pain affects almost everyone at some point. For most people, it's not a structural problem. It's a muscular one. And that's exactly what Pilates is designed to fix.

Long hours in the saddle compress the thoracic spine, shorten the hip flexors, and create the muscular imbalances that lead to injury. Reformer Pilates addresses all of it, directly and consistently.

Reformer and Mat Pilates share the same principles but offer different experiences and different results. Here is an honest account of what each does well and when to choose one over the other.

Class size, hands-on correction, instructor quality, community. Here's what to look for when choosing a Reformer Pilates studio in Edinburgh, and why the differences matter more than most people realise before they start.