A North East Pilates and wellness coach is using her own experiences as a parent of a child with complex additional needs to help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of people who are often overlooked by mainstream fitness programmes.
Emma Amos from Gosforth has transformed a difficult period in her own life into a growing business dedicated to making Pilates and mental health accessible to everyone, regardless of age, disability or diagnosis.
Following the birth of her third daughter, Emma found herself struggling with PTSD in grief after losing her mother, a Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder and perimenopause diagnosis while also coping with the pressures of raising her young family of two toddlers and a son with highly complex needs.
Following an intense period with almost three years of pregnancy and a miscarriage, the mental and physical strain on Emma became almost unbearable.
“Reformer Pilates became the one place where my mind could switch off. It helped me physically, but more importantly it helped me mentally.”
Inspired by the difference it made, Emma retrained as a Pilates instructor, qualifying in mat, reformer and chair, pre and post-natal and children and teen Pilates. But it was her son Mason who has a diagnosis of autism, anxiety, dyspraxia, sensory processing difficulties and the rare genetic condition 1p36 Deletion Syndrome that helped her to pivot her career.
“He was enjoying watching me plan my sessions and he started to connect with the equipment I was using in a positive, enlightening way.”
Having previously worked in the corporate world with Audi before retraining to work in specialist education, Emma realised she could combine her teaching experience with her passion for movement to create inclusive sessions for children and adults with additional needs and disabilities.
Today with Wellness by Emma, she works with individuals, schools, carers and community organisations across the North East, adapting every session to suit each person’s individual abilities.
“I believe everyone deserves to feel good about themselves,” she said. “Exercise shouldn’t be intimidating. Whether someone has autism, dementia, a disability or simply wants somewhere they feel accepted, everyone deserves that opportunity to move without judgement”.
Emma is also a Governor at two special schools in Newcastle and being a carer herself, she delivers regular Pilates sessions for Newcastle Carers, supporting people who spend much of their lives caring for others.
Alongside her coaching, she has co-founded The SEND Club, a growing support network for children, adults and families living with additional needs. Working with her co-founder Leah Evans-Dodsworth, the organisation hosts inclusive events, parent support sessions and community activities designed to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.
Among its initiatives are sensory-friendly soft play sessions, a partnership with Costa Coffee meetups across the North East, exclusive parent and carer evenings at KULT in Gosforth, Zoom toolkits (for those who cannot access in person meet ups) and a major wellbeing and networking event at the Newcastle United Foundation in November, bringing together families, professionals and support organisations with guest speakers, vendors, entertainment and wellbeing experts.
Emma currently teaches reformer Pilates at studios in Forest Hall Pilates Studios, The Pilates Place in Blakelaw and Onya in Hexham, while also offering one-to-one sessions, home visits, school, college and community classes.
Her long-term ambition is simple.
“If I can help someone leave a class feeling calmer, happier or more confident than when they arrived, then that’s success. Movement has changed my life, and I want everyone to know they deserve to experience those benefits too regardless of their physical or mental ability.”
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Photo: Emma in the studio with one of her clients (Steve Brock Photography)
PR and media keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951