MOVEMENT FOR LIFE
Rooted in Place.
Pilates, movement and wellbeing in the natural beauty of Castle Howard Arboretum.
Movement for Life — Rooted in Place is an Architecture of Movement programme created for Castle Howard Arboretum. It brings together Pilates, strength, mobility, balance, breath and walking in a setting that invites you to slow down, notice more and move differently.
Sessions may take place in the light-filled room overlooking the Arboretum, outdoors among the trees, or move between the two according to the weather and the day. With no more than twelve people, there is space for individual attention, thoughtful movement and a more personal experience.
Each session offers time to move, breathe and reset— helping you feel stronger, clearer and more grounded for the week ahead.
ROOTED IN PLACE AT A GLANCE
Movement, nature and time to reset.
ROOTED IN PLACE — AUTUMN 2026
The first Rooted in Place sessions will take place this autumn.
Join the priority list for first access to future dates.
Pilates, movement and wellbeing — rooted in the Arboretum at Castle Howard.
A small, personal group
No more than twelve people in each session.
£35 per session
£25 for Castle Howard members
A one-hour movement session, Arboretum entry and a hot drink afterwards.
Inside and outside
Sessions can use the light-filled room, the surrounding Arboretum or a combination of both, depending on the weather.
Mats and cushions provided
The equipment for your session will be ready when you arrive.
Before your first session
A short health and movement form will be completed in advance.
THE ROOTED IN PLACE EXPERIENCE
Created for this place, shaped by its setting.
Created specifically for Castle Howard Arboretum, this intimate small-group experience brings together expert Pilates and intelligent movement with the beauty, calm and changing character of the landscape.
ARRIVE SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT
The setting changes the way the session begins. There is space to arrive, settle and step out of the usual pace before we begin to move.
MOVE WITH PURPOSE
Pilates remains at the heart of the experience, but this is not a standard class transferred to a beautiful setting. Each hour is shaped around the small group in front of me, blending mobility, strength, balance, breath and walking with the freedom to use the Arboretum itself. With only twelve places, there is time for individual observation, thoughtful adaptation and a level of attention that makes the work feel both personal and purposeful.
THE ARBORETUM BECOMES PART OF THE EXPERIENCE
The setting is not simply something to look at while you move. The light-filled room, the view across the landscape and—when conditions allow—the Arboretum itself all shape the session. Moving between inside and outside creates an experience that changes with the season, the weather and the character of the place.
STAY A LITTLE LONGER
The movement session lasts for an hour, but your time at the Arboretum does not have to end there. Entry and a hot drink are included, giving you the freedom to explore the grounds, sit with the view or simply enjoy a little more space before returning to the rest of your day. It is the kind of place that can leave you feeling lighter, clearer and quietly restored.
WHO ROOTED IN PLACE IS FOR
For people who value movement, wellbeing and time well spent.
Rooted in Place is for people who value their health and want a more thoughtful way to support it. You may already practise Pilates, be returning to movement after a break, or simply feel ready to invest more consistently in your strength, mobility and balance.
It will suit you if large or fast-paced classes do not offer the attention you need, but you still enjoy moving alongside other people. With only twelve places, the experience remains personal while retaining the warmth and connection of a small group.
Exercises can be adapted, but the work will still be purposeful. The aim is to help each person progress from where they are—not to make everyone move in exactly the same way.
You do not need to be experienced, flexible or especially fit. You simply need to be interested in feeling stronger, moving more freely and looking after yourself for the years ahead.
HOW ROOTED IN PLACE BEGAN
A shared idea for an extraordinary place—built on trust.
Born from a shared belief that movement, nature and community could come together here in a way that feels meaningful, uplifting and entirely its own.
Vicky and Nick Howard have experienced my work personally over many years. They knew how closely I observe, how carefully I adapt movement and how important it is to me that people feel safe, supported and able to progress. In their own words, I had helped to get them moving again, and our weekly sessions had become “a real tonic for both mind and body.”
That long-standing movement relationship led Vicky to invite me to help shape something new for Castle Howard Arboretum. We shared a desire to use this extraordinary room and landscape to create an experience that could support the local community, bring people together and add more movement, wellbeing and joy to everyday life.
Rooted in Place has been created specifically for the Arboretum — bringing together my movement expertise, Vicky’s connection to the place and our shared belief that thoughtful experiences can help people feel better, more connected and more uplifted.
ROOTED IN PLACE
Begin your Movement for Life.
Join the priority list for Rooted in Place — a distinctive small-group movement and wellbeing experience at Castle Howard Arboretum.
Places will be limited to twelve. Joining the priority list gives you early access to the first dates and booking information before the programme is released more widely. There is no commitment to book.