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By Sally Dulson
When Lani opened her first Pilates studio during COVID from her family’s home in Blaxlands Ridge, she had big dreams of bringing the teachings of Joseph Pilates to the people of the region. Now, just a few years later, she is welcoming clients into a two-storey, light-filled space in Richmond.
The move marks a major step forward for her business, Pilates Jeanie — a play on her middle name, Jean — and a bold investment in both her vision and the Hawkesbury community.
“I always knew I wanted to expand,” Lani says. “I wanted natural light, greenery, and a space where people felt safe and inspired. This studio is exactly that. It’s been a leap of faith, but I knew the community would back me.”
A Studio Built on Community Support
The Hawkesbury has been quick to embrace Pilates Jeanie’s new home. From welcoming words when she signed the lease to locals stopping her in the street after spotting her posters, Lani says the support has been overwhelming.
“It really shows that Hawkesbury is behind women in business,” she says. “I’ve felt nothing but encouragement, and that means everything when you’re taking on something this big.”
Pilates as Rehabilitation
For Lani, Pilates isn’t just about fitness — it’s about rehabilitation, empowerment, and education. She sees her role as helping people take control of their bodies, strengthen safely, and recover from injuries.
That became clear when, in the middle of our interview, James walked in. He explained he was living with a spinal fusion. After trying both chiropractic care and exercise physiology with little success, he turned to Lani — having researched Pilates extensively and learned it could be the best way to rehabilitate. He wanted to get back to living and moving in a way he could trust.
“That’s what Pilates is about — helping people understand their bodies and rebuild confidence,” Lani told me after he had left.
So what exactly is Pilates?
“If we want to understand what Pilates is, in essence, Pilates is a form of rehabilitation and strength training. It’s an intelligent form of exercise — it makes you think about and connect your mind to your body. It works to stabilise your joints and creates a deep understanding of the inner workings of your body. And when it’s taught correctly, it allows you to take control. That’s how we regain our personal power, which I think a lot of people have lost because we’re so used to handing our bodies over and saying, ‘fix me.’ But the truth is, the only person who can fix you is yourself.”
She adds that Pilates is about fine-tuning movement patterns. “If you focus on the small things, eventually it becomes a whole. As instructors, our job is to look at how a body moves, identify imbalances, and work to correct them.”
Qualified and Committed
Lani brings both academic and practical expertise to her work. She is a Pilates Master Trainer, qualified to teach and educate other instructors, and she also studied Exercise Science at university.
That combination, she says, is what sets her studio apart. “Real Pilates requires deep knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics. That’s what ensures people can move safely and actually improve.”
Navigating Bureaucracy
Despite Pilates’ proven benefits, it is not yet universally recognised as an Allied Health profession. This means that whether clients can access funding through claims often depends on the discretion of their case manager — which is exactly what James is dealing with.
“It’s frustrating, because we know how effective Pilates can be,” Lani says. “But change is coming. From December, a member of our studio will be formally recognised as an Allied Health professional, which will make it easier for people like James to access the care they need.”
Something for Everyone
Pilates Jeanie offers reformer classes, private sessions, and semi-private sessions, meaning there’s something for every stage of life, fitness level, or rehabilitation need.
And while the new studio is busy, Lani stresses there is still space. “We have room for more locals to join us,” she says. “This is a safe space where people are seen and supported. It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from — there’s a place for you here.”
Backing Herself, Backing the Hawkesbury
From her beginnings as a 15-year-old moving with her family to Blaxlands Ridge, to launching a home studio during COVID, to now operating a flagship Richmond space, Lani’s story is one of backing herself — and being backed in turn by her community.
“This is what Pilates Jeanie is about,” she says. “Helping people move, feel stronger, and be supported. And the Hawkesbury has made it possible.”
The Pilates Jeanie studio is located across the road from the RAAF base at 1/40 Bowman St, Richmond NSW 2753. Drop by and see what Pilates Jeanie can do for your body.
Eliran Naim
