Tess Swerdlow worked in marketing before pivoting to train as a Pilates instructor and is now opening a new wellness studio in south Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports
Entrepreneur Tess Swerdlow has opened the Noa Wellness Studios, a boutique Pilates studio in south Liverpool.
Based in Woolton Road, Noa will cater for all clients but also offers a particular focus on pre and postnatal support for women. Tess spent more than a decade in marketing before pivoting to retrain as a Pilates instructor.
She has been inspired to open Noa following her own experience of motherhood. She explained: “Pilates gave me a sense of myself back after becoming a mum, which is one of the reasons supporting women through pregnancy and motherhood is such an important part of Noa Wellness.”
“Opening the studio while preparing to welcome a second baby into our family has been a challenge, but it’s also reinforced exactly why I wanted to create this space.
“I know first-hand how important it is for women to have somewhere they feel supported, understood and encouraged to prioritise their own wellbeing.”
Tess added the facility has been intentionally created to provide “a more personal experience” than larger studios, allowing instructors to adapt sessions to individual needs.
It offers Infrared Mat Pilates and six Reformer beds for Reformer Pilates and one of Liverpool’s few dedicated Men’s Reformer Pilates classes
Its specialist pre and post-natal programme supports women from early pregnancy through to motherhood and beyond. Babies are welcome at mum and baby classes.
And the studio also runs a Return to Exercise programme designed specifically for new mums. The course is split into two parts, with one half focusing on core and pelvic floor rehabilitation for mothers, while the second half is dedicated to baby massage.
All classes are taught by local, fully qualified instructors. The studio itself has been designed with Scandinavian-inspired interiors. Post-class, visitors can refuel at the next door juice bar, Balance, which is owned by Tess’s partner, David Pyle, a “performance chef” currently away with England for the World Cup.
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Tess plans to expand the timetable in line with demand, host community events and collaborate with local brands and businesses to continue promoting Pilates, wellbeing and community connection.
“We have so many exciting ideas for the future,” she said. “Our goal is to create a community where people feel supported, empowered and inspired to invest in their wellbeing. This is just the beginning.”