Reformer Pilates, Barre, Mat & Yoga Classes in Edinburgh

Getting Started

Your first steps.
Pilates Fundamentals

Never touched a Reformer before? This is exactly where you start, and you're in good company.

Fundamentals is designed for complete beginners. No prior Pilates experience needed, no fitness level required.

In your first few classes, you'll get to know the Reformer: how the carriage moves, what the springs do, and how to adjust everything to suit your body. Your instructor will guide you through the foundational movements at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to ask questions and get comfortable.

Think of it less as a workout and more as an introduction. By the end, you'll understand the basic principles of Pilates — breath, alignment, core connection — and you'll have a feel for what your body can do. That's more than enough for now.

Come as you are. Grip socks on, curiosity intact.

Lucia Poulter from Luma Pilates helping a client with a Reformer Pilates exercise

Develop

Building your foundation. Pilates 1

You know the equipment, you understand the basics, and you're ready to build something real. Pilates 1 is where your practice properly begins.

Classes move through the Reformer, tower and mat with a focus on the core Pilates principles in action: spinal articulation, breathing coordination, footwork sequences and developing a genuine awareness of your own body. The pace is measured so there's still time to understand why each movement matters, not just how to get through it.

Expect to leave feeling genuinely worked. Most clients spend two to four months in Pilates 1 before progressing, and that's completely normal. The goal here isn't to rush toward the next level — it's to move well, consistently, so that when you do progress, it feels earned.

Good for: those who've completed Fundamentals Progressing, or who come with some Reformer experience from another studio.

Four women participating in a reformer Pilates class at Luma Pilates in Edinburgh

Build

Deepening the work.
Pilates 2

If Pilates 1 is about learning the movements, Pilates 2 is about owning them.

You'll encounter longer, more connected sequences and exercises that demand real stability and control: long spine, short spine, stomach massage series, more dynamic footwork patterns and a wider range of spring configurations. Your instructor will spend less time explaining and more time refining: catching subtle compensations, pushing your range, and helping you understand how the Pilates repertoire fits together as a system.

The pace picks up and the complexity increases, but what changes most is the quality of attention. In Pilates 2, the details matter — and you'll start to notice them yourself.

Good for: consistent Pilates 1 practitioners, and those with a strong background in dance, yoga or athletics who are confident on the Reformer.

Women lying on Pilates reformer machines in a Luma Pilates class in Edinburgh

Elevate

Transform yourself.
Pilates 3

Pilates 3 is for those who have put in the time and are ready to be genuinely challenged.

Classes draw on the full classical and contemporary repertoire: advanced footwork, inversion work, complex coordination sequences and exercises that test strength, balance and body awareness simultaneously. Your instructor will push your limits thoughtfully, helping you reach further than you thought you could while keeping the quality of your movement at the centre of everything.

This isn't about performing impressive exercises. It's about the kind of deep physical intelligence that only comes from consistent, dedicated practice. And if you've reached Pilates 3, you already know what that feels like.

A word on readiness: if you're unsure whether you're ready for Pilates 3, have a chat with your instructor. They'll tell you honestly — and they'll be delighted if you are.

Lucia Poulter of Luma Pilates in Edinburgh taking a Reformer Pilates class

Empower

Back to basics, in the best possible way.
Mat Pilates

No springs, no carriage, no equipment. Just you, a mat, and the original form of Pilates, exactly as Joseph Pilates intended it.

Mat classes are a wonderful complement to reformer work, and a brilliant entry point if you've never tried Pilates before. Without the reformer's assistance, your body has to do more of the work itself, which makes mat deceptively challenging and deeply rewarding in equal measure. You'll build core strength, improve your posture, increase flexibility and develop the kind of quiet body awareness that carries into everything you do off the mat.

Classes move through a flowing sequence of exercises on the floor, working the whole body with an emphasis on control, breath and precision. Your instructor will offer modifications so you can work at your own level, and progressions when you're ready to go further.

One of the things our clients love most about Mat is how portable it is. The strength and body knowledge you build here goes everywhere with you — no Reformer required.

Suitable for all levels. If you're brand new to Pilates, Mat is a great place to start alongside our Fundamentals classes.

Three people participating in a yoga class at Luma Pilates in Edinburgh on mats in a bright, spacious room with a large window and wooden floor.

Enhance

Grace, strength, and people who really know their craft.
Luma Barre

Barre at Luma is something a little special. And that's largely down to who's teaching it.

Our Barre instructors bring backgrounds in professional dance and years of specialist training to every class. Serena's career in professional dance gives her an instinctive, deeply-trained understanding of form, alignment and how the body moves under load. Mylène brings a beautiful fluency across Barre, Mat and Yoga that makes her classes feel seamless and considered. And Liron has nearly two decades of teaching behind her and the kind of quiet authority in a room that only comes from that level of experience. Between them, they bring something you simply can't fake — a genuine, embodied knowledge of movement that you'll feel from your very first class.

The classes themselves blend the precision of Pilates with the elegance of ballet: small, controlled movements that target the muscles you didn't know you had, combined with sequences that build genuine strength and improve your posture in ways that stay with you long after you've left the studio. Expect to work at the barre, on the mat, and occasionally with light props. Expect also to be surprised by how much a tiny movement, done with perfect intention, can ask of your body.

No dance experience needed — not even close. Barre is for anyone who wants to move with more grace, build functional strength, and be taught by people who have dedicated their lives to understanding exactly how that's done.

Suitable for all levels.

A woman stretching her leg at a ballet barre at Luma Pilates in Edinburgh

Harmony

Find your way back to yourself.
Luma Yoga

Yoga at Luma is taught by instructors who bring real depth to their practice; not just technically, but personally. These are people who have lived with yoga for years, and that shows in the room.

Classes draw on a range of traditions and styles — from the dynamic, breath-led flow of Vinyasa to the long, surrendered holds of Yin — so there's something here whether you're looking to build strength, release tension, or simply carve out an hour that's entirely your own. Your instructor will let you know the style and pace of each class when you book, so you always know what you're walking into.

What stays consistent across all our Yoga classes is the quality of attention. Alignment matters here. Breath matters. And so does the way a class feels from beginning to end, not just a series of shapes to move through, but a genuine practice with intention behind it.

You don't need to be flexible to start, and you don't need any experience. You just need to show up.

Suitable for all levels. If you have any injuries or specific needs, let your instructor know before class and they'll help you find your way through.

A woman taking a yoga class at Luma Pilates in Edinburgh on a gray mat in front of a white wall with a potted plant in the background

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FAQ

Find answers to your questions about our classes and how to prepare for them.

  • Pilates is a low-impact exercise method designed to improve strength, flexibility, and posture while promoting mindful movement. It’s suitable for all fitness levels and can be customised to your specific goals or physical needs.

  • No prior experience is necessary to join our classes! If you are a novice (or are just a little unsure) we recommend that you book our Fundamentals Class. Our instructors are trained to accommodate all skill levels, ensuring a supportive environment. You’ll receive personalised attention to help you progress at your own pace.

  • It’s easy – we’re right in the heart of the New Town. Full details are on our contact page.

  • We encourage comfortable, form-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely. Avoid baggy clothes so instructors can see your alignment and please wear grip socks for safety and hygiene. Your clothing should be appropriate for a fitness environment.

  • We recommend bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated during your class. A towel is also useful for personal comfort. We also ask that mobile phones are switched off or set to silent.

  • We recommend arriving 10 minutes before your class. Any earlier and our front door might be locked for security.

  • We understand that life can be unpredictable. However, for safety reasons, latecomers will not be allowed to participate if they arrive after the class start time. Our cancellation policy will apply.

  • Short answer: maybe, and gently. Pilates can be a brilliant way to support recovery, build strength and improve mobility, but it really depends on the injury and where you’re at in your healing journey. We always recommend getting clearance from your physio or doctor first. Let our instructors know before class so we can offer modifications and help you move safely and confidently. When in doubt, go slow, listen to your body and choose rest when you need it.

  • Yes, absolutely. You’re welcome to book a class for a friend or family member, just be sure you’re not double booked into the same session yourself. Guest bookings are for non-members only, and spaces are limited, so we recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment.

  • Sorry, no. We are unable to take unpaid bookings. Payment has to be made online in order to secure your space in class.

  • We require a minimum of 12 hours' notice for cancellations of group classes and 24 hours for private classes to avoid being charged. This allows us to offer your spot to another client. Please refer to our service terms for more details on our policies.

  • If a class is full, you’re welcome to join the waitlist. If a space opens up, you’ll be automatically moved into the class and we’ll let you know by email, so make sure your notifications are switched on. And if your plans change, you can remove yourself from the waitlist at any time, just like cancelling a class. If you’re moved into a class within 12 hours and no longer want the spot, the usual late cancellation rules apply. Please make sure you have credit on your account when joining a waitlist.

Still unsure?

We’re here for you! If you have additional questions or need help deciding which class is right for you, just get in touch.