Core Strength – Interview with Gaby Noble, Founder of Exhale Pilates

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

Core Strength

Gaby Noble, Founder of Exhale Pilates London, on how staying true to classical Pilates is game changing

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? My morning routine constantly varies due to the nature of my work and whether I am in London or Dubai. The four-hour time difference is indeed a luxury for me when I’m in the UAE, as I’m able to move at a slower pace before London wakes up. I usually wake up around 6am, and drink a glass of warm water with lemon to hydrate me after my sleep. While having the water I begin journaling and have found this activity to be an absolute game-changer. It actively quiets my mind as I set out my intentions for the day and write down all the thoughts that I have before engaging with anyone else. I enjoy a cup of coffee with oat milk, while going through my emails and messages. If my classes don’t begin early, I either workout in the gym, go to the Pilates studio or for a long walk. At some point during the day, I do the classical mat workout as it keeps my mind, body and soul in alignment. What led you to launch Exhale Pilates and how has it grown to date? Exhale Pilates all started by chance. After being in the wellness and hospitality industry for over 20 years and having been involved in the creation and launch of several global brands, I always knew I wanted to create my own. As an adrenaline junkie, I’ve always enjoyed that after effect after a spin or HIIT class, however, my body never did as I would always get injured and so I tried Pilates. What is at the core of Exhale Pilates and the DNA of the brand? Exhale Pilates as a brand is authentic, empowering and it holds integrity, similar to the Pilates we teach. We have built a reputation around trust and high standards, so that new and existing clients always have confidence in the quality of service and teaching they receive at Exhale. By combining a very friendly, warm and welcoming studio

along with the most incredible team, we always ensure it remains a for the body as you work against gravity and your own body weight welcoming place. Many have conveyed how our studio environment while learning how to control your muscles in every exercise, whereas has such an infectious energy and it feels like home away from home. the apparatus supports you and gives feedback using the resistance Why did you choose to focus on classical Pilates? Initially because of the springs. The apparatus is also great to help correct alignment it healed me, and I experienced first-hand how powerful the system so if you have any niggles, injuries or limited range of motion, the was. In my very early years as a teacher, I had a client who came to apparatus is a better starting point as it will help re-align you in a me after having a severe stroke. Unable to walk or feel one side of her much more safe and effective way. Pilates apparatus is not just the entire body she had had nine months of physio without any positive reformer but a whole heap of other amazing things like the barrels, change evident. After working with me three times per week for two Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High Chair and more. There is definitely a months using the classical system as our guide she was able to walk craze around Pilates right now, particularly Reformer style work10 steps unaided and got sensation down her arm again. Why would outs. But as this is the Integrity issue, it is critical to highlight the I want to deviate from a system that importance of doing your research when works and is so powerful in transform- it comes to the best type of Pilates for you ing people’s lives like that? I also like to and your body. So many Reformer style know the source, the original, the undi- workouts look more like HIIT training on luted, unfiltered version of everything, an unstable surface rather than focusing although I put my spin on it sometimes on what Pilates is all about which is conbut Joseph Pilates who created this trol and teaching your body to move from system was a genius with the body and a strong and stable center. ahead of his time and I don’t want his How many sessions does it take for a legacy to die out. It has also been amaz- body overhaul? You can honestly feel the ing how many contemporary teachers difference after one session but with Pihave come to Exhale over the years to re- lates as a discipline the more you practrain and bridge to the classical method, tice the quicker you will see and feel rebelieving something was missing in their sults. We recommend at least doing two teaching and how feeling the classical to three sessions per week, as Pilates is method work in their own bodies using not a quick win, it is a lifestyle choice, classical apparatus was completely dif- and we have clients within the age brackferent to anything they felt. et six to 92 years old. Doing Pilates can You’ve been teaching Pilates for many completely transform the way you look, years, how has it transformed your life feel and move by creating balance in the over time? Not only has Pilates helped body and freeing yourself of tightness me personally in a physical sense but the and stress. The body doesn’t just have tools you learn to move your body, help to be mindful in everyday life too. As cliche “Integrity to me is a body overhaul, the mind does too. It’s amazing, and everyone should do it. as it sounds to connect your body and mind is an incredibly empowering tool about having values, You not only teach but train – tell us more? I absolutely love teaching as to have a to have, especially as a woman. There are many facets to the practice that in- being honest and skill to transform people’s lives whether that is by helping people get out of pain filtrate how you conduct yourself and respond to situations in life. Pilates is sticking to what you or making them feel better about themselves is addictive and incredibly rewardnot just an exercise method, it can truly help and prepare you for every aspect of your life. I’ve helped thousands of people transform their lives both physically and professionally through Pilates. From the Pilates novice, to professional athletes, people recovering from injuries, surgery and strokes to top models preparing for the catwalk, both my team and I help evbelieve in regardless of circumstances or expectations of other people.” ing. Currently the teacher training part of the business has accelerated, so I’m working more on that side of the business as I’m helping aspiring Pilates teachers fulfil their dreams and transform their journey in life, especially those who never thought it could be possible. I love giving people the confidence to believe in themselves no matter what their age. eryone to feel and be the best version of Do you have plans to bring this to Dubai themselves through Pilates. To empower people, especially women anytime soon? I currently train people one on one when I am here through movement, changing their careers and watching mindsets and would love to have an Exhale studio in Dubai. I think it would shift is an amazing journey to be part of and incredibly rewarding. be a huge success as Dubai attracts the best of the best from evI’ve been able to travel the world, meet some of the most wonderful erything around the world. I am definitely looking into bringing my people who have not only become clients but friends and mentors. Teacher courses here this year as I’ve had a lot of interest – we may I’ll be forever grateful for Pilates being such a huge part of my life. be doing this in Q2 this year! Can you expand on the differences you see in terms of mat or equip- This is The Integrity Issue – what does integrity mean to you? Inment as a workout? Both are incredible workouts designed to build tegrity to me is about having values, being honest and sticking to strength, muscle tone, whilst increasing flexibility and balance in what you believe in regardless of circumstances or expectations of the body. The original Pilates system was all about working the ap- other people. I have built Exhale based on leading with integrity and paratus and mat exercises together. Joseph Pilates created the mat sticking to what I believe in and am passionate about. Having integwork to do as home work for his clients when they were unable to get rity as a brand or as an individual is rare today, but it will hold onto into the studio. Mat work can be a lot harder by offering less support the right relationships and always stand the test of time.