Linda Rhodes and Sarah Liston - EQ Pilates - UK

Welcome back to Episode 20 of Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates!

I’m beyond thrilled to be sitting down with my first international guests—Sarah and Linda from EQ Pilates in Staffordshire, UK.

Sarah and Linda are a mother-daughter duo who opened their studio in 2001. Together with their team, they offer a blend of Contemporary, Clinical, and Classical Pilates, including group equipment classes, Joe’s Gym-style sessions, and private sessions—all in their absolutely stunning studio.

Linda originally came from a yoga background and discovered Pilates in 2000. Sarah joined her mum in the business in 2007, and incredibly, Linda still teaches some of the same clients she had 40 years ago when she was a yoga instructor!

EQ Pilates is not just a studio—it’s also a hub for Pilates teachers in the Midlands, offering mentoring and ongoing education to help instructors deepen their knowledge and skills.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How Sarah and Linda got started in Pilates
• How Linda’s first mat studio was in such high demand she could barely keep up
• How Sarah joined the business a few years later
• The teacher education programs they offer to certified instructors
• How they integrate Classical, Clinical, and Contemporary Pilates at their studio
• The current landscape for Pilates studios in the UK and how education standards have evolved over the years
• How they’ve grown their business, continued to invest, and adapted over time

 

In the podcast, they mention:

‘Caged Lion’ by John Howard Steel

https://www.amazon.com.au/Caged-Lion-Joseph-Pilates-Legacy/dp/1733430709

 

To get a hold of Sarah and Linda at EQ Pilates:

https://www.eq-pilates.co.uk/

@eq.pilates

 

More About Sarah and Linda: 

Linda:

Linda’s journey into movement and wellness began long before she became a Pilates instructor. With a successful career as a hairdresser, working long hours on her feet, she became increasingly aware of the importance of alignment and mindful movement to maintain a healthy body. It was through her dedicated yoga practice, particularly Lotus and Rose Pranayama Yoga, that she first discovered how movement could be a powerful tool for both strength and longevity.

Her passion for movement eventually led her to Pilates, and in 2000, she became a fully certified instructor. Recognizing a need for expert-led Pilates training in her community, Linda took a bold step and opened her own Pilates studio in Sutton Coldfield in 2001—the first and only dedicated Pilates studio in the area at the time. Her vision was to create a space where people of all backgrounds could experience the transformative benefits of Pilates, whether through matwork, Reformer training, or full studio apparatus sessions.

Over the years, Linda has continued to expand her expertise. Her commitment to movement education led her to become a YAMUNA Body Rolling Practitioner, a unique bodywork practice that enhances mobility, releases tension, and improves body alignment.

With over 30 years of experience in movement, her teaching blends the discipline of Pilates, the mindfulness of yoga, and the therapeutic benefits of body rolling, offering her clients a truly comprehensive approach to strength, mobility, and overall well-being.

 

Sarah:

Sarah Liston is Master Teacher & 3rd Generation Classical Pilates Instructor

Sarah is a dedicated and passionate Master Teacher, proudly carrying the lineage of classical Pilates as a 3rd Generation instructor. Trained by Lesley Logan who studied under Jay Grimes, Sarah is deeply rooted in the authentic practice of the Pilates method.

Her Pilates journey began in 2007, when she joined her mum’s studio, immersing herself in the method and developing a deep appreciation for its transformative power. Inspired by the way Pilates made her feel stronger, more balanced, and more connected to her body Sarah pursued formal training and became a certified instructor in 2011 with Body Control Pilates.

Over the years, Sarah and her mum evolved from teacher and student to business partners, co-owning and running their family studio together. Their shared passion for Pilates and commitment to excellence has made their studio a rare gem, a space where clients experience the highest standard of teaching in an environment that feels welcoming, supportive, and deeply personal.

Now, as a highly skilled instructor and studio co-owner, Sarah continues to share her expertise, helping clients build strength, confidence, and a deeper connection to their bodies through the power of Pilates.

 

Thanks Linda and Sarah!

Kim Paxton