The Story Behind She Moves Pilates for Women 40+
Every community project begins with a simple question.
For Me, that question was:
“How can I prepare my body for future Hips replacement? ”
In February 2026, Reach for a Star C.I.C. launched FRE She Moves Pilates for Women 40+, thanks to funding from Sport England. The vision was never simply to deliver just another exercise classes.
Our aim was always to build a community where women could rebuild their strength, improve their wellbeing and realise it is easier to do it together in a motivated and supportive environment!
Many of the women joining us had not exercised for a few years. A lot of women told us, they used to be active before Covid’19, and they were struggling to get back to the same level of fitness…
Some of us were living with back pain, stiff joints or reduced mobility. Others lacked confidence, felt isolated or simply didn’t know where to start. Traditional gyms and fitness classes often felt intimidating, expensive or unsuitable.
She Moves was designed to change that.
It is a WOMEN ONLY environment.
From the very first class, our focus is on encouragement rather than perfection. Every woman is welcomed exactly as she is. There is no pressure to “keep up” or compare your-self with anyone else. Instead, we celebrate every small step forward—whether that’s touching your toes for the first time, standing taller, sleeping better or simply feeling proud for attending class consistently.
Building Something That Lasts
From the beginning, Reach for a Star wanted She Moves to become more than a short-term funded project.
To ensure the programme could continue long after the initial funding ended, our Director, Sylwia Juranek, made the decision to train as a Pilates teacher herself. While the community benefits from free classes, Sylwia is gaining valuable teaching experience under professional supervision and building the practical skills needed to deliver the programme independently.
Her Pilates Instructor Level 3 Practical Assessment takes place on 12 September 2026, and she is on track to achieve her full Pilates Teacher Level 4 Qualification by the end of 2026.
This means She Moves is not only improving women’s health—it is also building the long-term capacity of Reach for a Star to continue delivering affordable, high-quality Pilates within the community for many years to come.
What Women Are Telling Us
The most powerful evidence of success comes from the women themselves.
Week after week, participants tell us they are noticing real changes in their everyday lives.
They report:
- Sleeping better at night.
- Reduced back pain and stiffness.
- Improved posture.
- Greater flexibility and mobility.
- Feeling physically stronger.
- Increased confidence in moving their bodies.
- More energy throughout the day.
- Better mental wellbeing.
And perhaps one of our favorite outcomes to observe are the newly formed connections between Women who attend the Class on Regular Basis.
Community is what keeps us coming back and makes Showing Up for Our-Self so much Easier.
Looking Ahead
She Moves is proving that investing in women’s health is about far more than exercise.
It is about helping women remain Independent, Confident and Active as we age.
We believe Pilates should be a FREE NHS Prescription to every person 40+!
We believe a min of 60 minutes Pilates should be Mandatory in every school!
We advocate the Benefits of Pilates everywhere we go!
We want to Create a Network of She Moves Champions!
NOTE to Our Community: If You Would Like to Become a Pilates Instructor/ Teacher- please get in touch with your Community Leader and we will Inform You about ‘My Reach for a STAR’ Opportunity
Life is not about being perfect. It’s about continuous movement.
To JOIN our She Moves Community in Darlaston and Wednesbury, click here:
https://forms.gle/BiyYTsAhAdqePZBF6
To START a NEW She Moves Community in a New Location, email us on contact@myreachforastar.co.uk