Personalised Pilates in South Oxfordshire
Bespoke sessions tailored to individual needs
Welcome to Uplift
Hi, I’m Tara — a fully certified and experienced Pilates Instructor and the owner/founder of Uplift, a bespoke Pilates studio offering one-to-one and duet programmes across the full range of Pilates equipment.
Fitness trends come and go but a thoughtful and caring approach to movement is timeless. Whatever your age, level of fitness and stage of life you are at, I am here to help. Every body is unique and different things work for different people, so naturally the most effective exercise programme is one tailored specifically to you and your needs.
I will work with you to navigate pain, build strength and stability, and improve mobility and body awareness, thereby equipping you with the knowledge and tools to move more effectively in daily life, now and for years to come.
Studio
Uplift is not your typical group reformer studio/gym. The reformer is simply one of several pieces of apparatus that make up the original Pilates method. A bespoke programme with Uplift involves work on the reformer, the tower, the stability chair, the cadillac, the ladder barrel, and the mat. Each piece of equipment has a purpose and, when used together, provide a complete system to facilitate movement in a unique way - as Joseph Pilates intended.
In conjunction with smaller Pilates equipment plus a selection of general fitness tools (such as TRX, jumpboard, BOSU), you will experience a full mind-body workout, with a huge variety of exercises and modifications to suit different needs.
The studio is quiet and peaceful, allowing a welcome escape from the busyness of a group setting. No timetable of classes, no comparison to others, and no complex booking systems: instead, the utmost level of attention and care as you work at your own pace and preferred timeslot. There is plenty of free parking directly outside and the studio is on the ground floor, accessed by two small steps from the exterior entrance.
Reformer with Tower
Stability Chair
Ladder Barrel
Cadillac
All photography © Merrithew International Inc
About
Meet Tara
Ex lawyer turned Pilates movement specialist, I am a certified STOTT PILATES® (Merrithew) Instructor with 20 years experience.
I began teaching in London and the Caribbean before returning to my native Singapore where I started Uplift to fill a gap in the market for a specialised and thoughtful Pilates experience outside a group setting. Over the years, I have been privileged to have worked with a variety of clients — youngest 18 and oldest 87 — from all walks of life ranging from national athletes to new mums to active agers.
Curious and passionate about learning, I am committed to continuing education to expand my technical knowledge and expertise. This keeps me up-to-date with developments in both the Pilates and the wider wellbeing industry, ensuring everything I teach and share with clients aligns with current medical and science-based protocols.
I can help with the following :
Rehab post injury (ACL/MCL sprains, meniscus issues, rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel) or surgery (knee and hip replacement, C-sections, masectomy, lobectomy)
Spinal issues (scoliosis, spinal stenosis, disc degeneration)
Women’s health ranging from pre/post natal (diastasis recti, pelvic girdle pain, prolapse) through to peri/menopause
Bone health (osteopenia, osteoporosis with or without fracture, fall management and prevention)
Chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Cancer
STOTT PILATES® Certified (Mat, Reformer, Cadillac Chairs, Barrels) with 20 years of teaching experience
Specialist in Scoliosis, Rehabilitation, Active Ageing, Women’s Health, and Athletic Conditioning
Fascial Movement
Client Reviews
“I have worked with Tara for the past 18 years. I have so benefited from her meticulous care and concern for my needs ranging from lower back issues, frozen shoulder and hip pain. Our bi-weekly sessions were often a great substitute for physiotherapy. Tara has been very caring and cognisant of my limitations and ailments through the years. She has contributed greatly to my mobility, flexibility, and balance, as I age. Whoever she now undertakes to train in the UK will benefit greatly under her care.”
— Mrs B
“I had broken my foot and ankle and was immobile for 12 weeks. Once mobile again, I had pain, stiffness, inflammation and tendonitis bursitis lumps. The medical system said I needed to accept my new norm and, that other than injections, I would have to live with it until it was time for surgery. I had had regular physiotherapy but again reached a plateau. As someone who loves to walk, dance and exercise, this was devastating and my mental health deteriorated Then I found Tara and from the very first session I felt more mobile, confident, and optimistic. I appreciated her total mind and body approach to Pilates and functional movement, especially her advice on transferring what we did in the studio to a home environment. My whole body, posture, mobility, and strength have improved and my mental health is back on track.I cannot thank Tara enough or highly recommend her to others”
— JB
“I decided to add Pilates to my existing strength and cardio training when I started preparing for the London Marathon. Working with Tara has been beneficial in helping me become more aware of my posture, alignment and general muscular imbalances. I really enjoy the deep stretches which the machines provide particularly for my hips, hamstrings and calves. Ever since incorporating Pilates into my main exercise regime, I have noticed a significant difference in my movement not just when I run but in daily activities including something simple like breathing properly! I enjoy the variety in our sessions and how Tara always comes up with something different each session. She has a very intuitive feel of how I am feeling the minute I walk into the studio and what my body needs that day.
— Mr H
Find Out More
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Uplift offers one-to-one and duet instruction across the full range of Pilates equipment. It is not just about a workout on the mat or on the reformer. A bespoke programme with Uplift involves exercises on the reformer, the tower, the stability chair, the cadillac, the ladder barrel, and the mat. Each piece of equipment has a purpose and, when used together, provide a complete system of movement.
My focus is you. With targeted programming, undivided attention and hands-on technical refinement, I will guide and support you as we work to meet your needs and achieve your goals safely and effectively.
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Many clients turn to personalised pilates if they are beginners, returning to exercise after injury or a hiatus from exercise or if they have not seen lasting changes from other forms of physical therapy.
Are you in pain from a spinal issue? Or perhaps you are experiencing shoulder and neck tension due to stress, poor movement patterns or posture?
Have you recently sustained a sports injury or recovering from surgery and needing to rebuild strength and restore range of motion?
Do you want to improve your golf or tennis swing? Or work on agility, endurance and flexibility to boost your rowing, running or gym workouts?
Are you invested in improving your bone health and in reducing falls and fracture risk?
Or do you simply want to feel mentally and physically energised, confident, and strong while having fun along the way!?
Pilates is for everyone. Combined with strength training and cardiovascular exercise, it’s all you need for a perfectly balanced workout for life.
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Trial/Intro Session £75
thereafter
One-to-One
Single £75
Block of 5 £355
Duet
Single £50 per person
Block of 5 £230 per person
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The studio is in a self contained building next to the Memorial Hall in Shiplake. Easily accessible from both Henley-on-Thames and Caversham, there is free parking outside (open air carpark next to the playing field and tennis club).
Old Billiards Room
Shiplake Memorial Hall
Henley-on-Thames
RG9 4DW
All sessions by appointment only.
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All new clients are advised to book an introductory trial session before committing to a regular regime.
A trial will include an individual postural analysis and - based off that - a customised taster session across all the various pieces of Pilates equipment.
Please message or email to book.
07541 753 968
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I was working as a solicitor in London when I decided to try a mat class to help with my persistent headaches. At that first session, the instructor asked if I knew I had scoliosis — I had no idea! I had always wondered why my t-shirts never sat properly on my shoulders or why my right shoulder blade protruded more than my left.
I had my “a-ha” moment: my neck and shoulder pain were not just stress or posture related, but more significantly, due to an underlying structural issue with my spine. And so began my interest in all things Pilates.
After extensive training and successful completion of exams with STOTT PILATES® (Merrithew), I felt it was time for a much needed career change so I left the corporate world to pursue my passion and to embark on extensive training and practice.
www.merrithew.com (STOTT Pilates)
www.osteopilates.com (Scolio-Pilates)
www.thecenterforwomensfitness.com
Pilates has had a transformative effect on both my physical and mental well-being. Most importantly, It has helped me to understand and manage my own scoliosis so I am able to reduce pain during “ flare-ups”. Pilates was beneficial in restoring my strength and stability after two c-sections and a diastasis, and was my main form of rehab after a MCL tear and meniscus surgery. Mentally and emotionally, the practice of Pilates helps with focus and mental clarity while navigating the stresses and fatigue of busy family life!