“Pilates is not just a workout; it combines mental and physical effort. You are told it’s a slow-paced workout, but at the same time, you have to be in control. You have to maintain a point of focus, keep your body stable, and make sure you are not shaking too much," she says.
After some time, Melody discovered Reforma Pilates, a variation of Pilates that incorporates a specialised machine to intensify workouts.
“I attended a class, and I realised I enjoyed it. Initially, I would go to the gym and then leave halfway through my workout. But when I went to this type of Pilates, I enjoyed it a lot and did a full session."
Her transformation is not only skin-deep but also mental clarity. “I have chronic migraines, and that is why I did yoga and eventually went into Pilates. There’s just a way it calms you down. Once you’ve gotten that breath under control, it’s easier to stay calm, even in situations where you want to blow up; it’s easier to stay focused," she tells BDLife.
However, the Pilates enthusiast warns that the first few classes might feel overwhelming; she compares it to torture, but those who have embraced it know better.
“Pilates looks easy, but it’s not easy. Especially if you’ve passed that beginner stage, then you’re just going into crazy movements that require you to give a lot of yourself while maintaining balance. It’s torture, but you’re going to enjoy it. I like to call it ‘sweet pain’.”
Melody Ondisa, a Pilates instructor, poses for a photo at Nation Centre in Nairobi on March 4, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
More than just a workout
When Evelyne Ng’endo first set foot in a gym, she wanted to be healthy, feel better and get fit.
“I used to work out my chest, shoulders, arms, biceps, and triceps. I put in the work,” she says.
But her body was not changing in the way she wanted. The woman in the mirror did not match the soft, feminine silhouette she craved.
As she was doing her nutrition research, she stumbled upon Pilates.
“The low-impact interval training has worked for me. It does work on the body but at a very slow pace. You don’t get that manly frame that I didn’t like,” she says.
Like Melody, Evelyne has found the exercise to be wholesome, refreshing her body and soul.
“Physically, I have learned how to engage my core during workouts. My breathing during the exercises has improved too.”
She finds Pilates therapeutic, offering a sense of relief after a session.
Evelyne admits it was a bit tough starting, especially following the instructions.
“I went to a class, and everyone was like, ‘I have been doing Pilates for a minute’. For me, everything was new including the terminologies.”
Her tip to those considering Pilates? “Pick a place where the trainer is understanding. That will determine if you’re going to go back or not. Because if they are not gentle with you, that’s it, it will be a terrible experience, and you will never do it again,” she says.
Ideal for everyone
According to Varees Marko Aura Lukyamuzzi, a Ugandan who relocated to Kenya to be a Pilates coach, it doesn’t take long to start seeing results.
"In 10 sessions, you will feel a difference. In 20 sessions, you will start seeing a difference. By 30 sessions, you won’t just see it, you will be different," he says.
As he walks around the Core Balance Studio adjusting reformer machines and demonstrating precise movements, he explains why Pilates is different from traditional workouts.
"What sets it apart is the six principles we focus on: concentration, centering, breath work, flow, precision and control. Each movement is deliberate and starts from the core—the area from your pubic bone towards your abs—and then extends upwards through the body, reaching the neck, chest, and even the pelvic area. Every motion is intentional, and every breath matters," he explains.
Unlike conventional gym workouts that rely on weights and resistance machines, Pilates incorporates specialised equipment, the most famous being the reformer. It resembles a sliding bed and helps individuals achieve length, flexibility, and control.
"There are different reformers in the world, but the one we use here is the Allegro by Body Balance. It has a tower, a carriage, and various components like foot bars and springs. These springs act as 'weights.' The stronger you get, the fewer springs you use because the goal is to develop body control, balance, and core strength. Eventually, you can hold your body up with minimal external support," Marko says.
Marko Aura Lukyamuzzi stretches during a Pilates session at Spring Valley on April 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
The rise of Pilates in Kenya can also be attributed to social media influence among young people seeking alternative fitness options beyond gym workouts. Online learning has made it easier for instructors like Marko to train and bring Pilates closer to Africa.
“Seeing is believing. When people see it in practice, they become curious and want to try it themselves," Marko says.
However, one of the biggest misconceptions about Pilates, the coach explains, is that it is only for slim, flexible people. Social media has popularised the idea of the "Pilates body"—long, lean, and toned, which can be intimidating.
"The idea of a ‘Pilates body’ is just a social media aesthetic. In reality, Pilates works for every body type. I have trained people who weigh over 110kg and they have seen incredible transformations. Your body morphs into it over time. You don’t need to look a certain way to start; you just need to be consistent."
He also highlights that beyond Pilates being a fitness practice, it is widely used in clinical settings to help people recover from injuries or surgeries.
"One of the things I specialise in is clinical Pilates. If someone has undergone surgery, let’s say on a limb, Pilates helps them regain strength and range of motion. It works well alongside physiotherapy because of its low impact. Many physiotherapists now recommend Pilates as part of rehabilitation," he says.
