When Ladan Mofakham opened AVA Pilates Studio just off Bold Street in 2017, she couldn’t have predicted the Pilates obsession it would create.

Ahead of its time, the fully equipped STOTT PILATES studio allows its guests to take part in 1-2-1 sessions or classes to tone and sculpt the body using low impact but highly effective exercises.

Ladan came to Liverpool in 2008 to study MSc Human Resource Management at the University of Liverpool, where she received a Student of the Year Award, before going on to study for her Post Graduate Degree in Exercise and Nutrition at the University of Chester.

Ladan wants everyone to have the opportunity to try STOTT PILATES which helps to build core strength and stability, whilst helping to develop optimal strength, endurance, flexibility and posture without adding any bulk or stressing the joints.

Ladan, 38, explained: “I simply fell in love with Liverpool and have never looked back. In 2005, I started practising Pilates and it became a ritual three times a week. Since then it has been a real passion of mine and the Pilates method helped me enormously in terms of my mental and physical health and made me stronger, as well as feeling more confident in my own skin.”

After teaching Pilates in numerous gyms across the city, Laden found that at the time, none of them offered a dedicated Pilates studio. She went to London and trained to become fully certified Level 1 & 2 and qualified to teach across all Pilates equipment, mat-based, reformer, cardillac, chair and barrels.

STOTT PILATES is a contemporary approach to the original exercise method pioneered by Joseph Pilates. It’s perfect for everyone in terms of age and ability, and is fantastic for rehab patients, elite athletes and prenatal clients. 

Co-founders Lindsey and Moira teamed up with a group of physical therapists, those in sports medicine and fitness professionals and spent three decades refining the STOTT PILATES method; combining modern principles of exercise as well as science and spinal rehabilitation making it the safest and most effective method available.

Laden continued: “I decided to open the first fully equipped Pilates studio in the heart of Liverpool city centre that focuses on Pilates only where I can share my passion and help more people get fitter, stronger and become happier in their bodies.”

AVA Pilates Studio is so busy that it mostly operates on a waiting list basis, with 1-2-1 sessions and small group classes both proving to be incredibly popular.

Ladan added: “We train everyone here. Everyone with a positive attitude is welcome! From pre and post natal clients, to athletes, footballers, dancers, A List actresses, we’ve trained them all. But as a busy mum myself, I can completely relate to my clients who struggle to fit in some time for themselves. I created Pilates Lean for anyone who struggles to get to the studio and can practice at home in their own time.”

Ava Pilates Studio is located at Unit 7, Petticoat Lane, Bold Street, Liverpool.

1-2-1 sessions and a range of classes are available to book Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with morning and evening slots available via https://www.avapilatesstudio.co.uk or visit @ava_pilates_studio on Instagram.

From the archives: A love letter to Pilates.