“Sarah’s classes are something you won’t find anywhere else – welcoming, ostomy-specific, ostomy-safe, supportive, and always at just the right amount of challenge. And practicing remotely makes joining in from anywhere on the globe possible!”

“I wanted to get fit, lose some weight and do this safely with a stoma. When I finally had the courage to give a class a go, I wished I had not left it so long. Sarah’s classes have not only helped improve my fitness after surgery but also have given me so much confidence in myself. Sarah is an amazing teacher.”

“Sarah has put me at ease and was helpful when I needed it. She has 3 levels. I started with the easiest one. Now I moved on to the middle level. I find the exercises very helpful. They work on core muscles, mostly abdomen, but cover the whole body.”

“A couple of years ago (and to my great surprise), I found myself to be the owner of a shiny new ileostomy. When I saw an advert for The Ostomy Studio in the Ileostomy Association magazine, I thought I’d make contact, just to see what they had to say. I had a really reassuring video chat with Sarah Russell and went from there – beginners class, intermediate class, and I’m now hoping to progress to the advanced class soon.

Sarah ensures we protect our abdomen in each move we do. She always gives alternative moves to each exercise and she gives me the confidence to progress at my own speed. Some weeks back, Sarah had the class doing a ‘plank’ – I was thrilled! Not for a moment, did I think I’d ever be doing that again.”

“I’m so glad I discovered Sarah through the IA Journal magazine. Sarah is wonderful to work with. She exudes enthusiasm and inspires her clients. Don’t worry that you might be too old to exercise. Age is not an issue. There is always something you can do. It gets addictive!
Sarah can always find that odd tweak or adjustment to help you with an exercise.

She is a marvellous ambassador for exercise. It’s great that she has her own ileostomy experience to support those with stomas as well as those with other abdominal surgery.”

“Prior to having life changing surgery and getting my new permanent stoma due to bowel cancer I was keen into fitness with running and doing lots of high intensity beachbody workouts. I wondered if I would ever be able to do these again. Finding Sarah has been an absolute life line to getting my fitness back. Progressing from her online foundation classes, through to her more advanced weekly live classes has allowed me to gain my confidence back; almost a year later and I’m running as good as I was and I’m even progressing with the high intensity workouts. Sarah is very knowledgeable and approachable; If you want to learn the right way back to fitness with a stoma do not hesitate to contact Sarah or use her workouts to learn how to build your core strength for your fitness activity.”

Having gone from an extremely active individual to cancer treatment and a colostomy – my world fell apart. Stressed by worry about prolapses and hernias, Sarah’s on demand videos gave me the flexibility and accessibility to slowly build my core strength and confidence daily. The 30 min sessions were not so long as to be off putting and shepherded me step by step through new exercises and stretches to progress to her on line classes. The on line classes have really pushed me out of my comfort zone but I would have been anxious attempting these routines on my own.

I have just completed a strenuous 6 days mountain walking and biking in the Alps, 6 months after treatment finished. I would not have felt confident without Sarah’s help and support. Thank you Sarah

“I first came across Sarah whilst going through the most challenging time of my life, having unexpectedly undergone emergency life saving surgery and a prolonged stay in intensive care.  I’d gone from being an active, fit, healthy and upbeat woman to the total opposite of that, almost overnight.   I was depleted on every level and totally lacking in confidence when I first met Sarah; but I have to say that reaching out to her was probably the biggest turning point in my recovery.  I found Sarah to be hugely knowledgeable, professional, understanding, validating and most of all exceptionally kind and patient.  Her expertise is second to none, but more importantly, she gently and sensitively encouraged me to take small steps towards regaining my health, my life and my self esteem.  I’d encourage anyone adapting to life with a stoma, navigating/recovering from illness and looking to regain strength in a safe, supportive, encouraging and friendly way, to join Sarah’s wonderful classes which I found to be transformative, empowering and really enjoyable too!”

“I really thought that after the ileostomy operation I wouldn’t be able to do much exercise and would have to be extra careful not to lift anything. A few months after my operation, IA sent me an offer of 8 free Pilates classes with Sarah Russel from the Ostomy studio. These are carefully modified for people with a stoma. I was a bit scared at first but tried a taster session and liked it very much. It helped enormously knowing that Sarah has an ileostomy herself. It wasn’t too demanding and whenever I felt a bit apprehensive with the exercise I paused and just rested, which Sarah totally accepted. Little by little, I built up my confidence of getting back to exercising. It’s like a taming a terrified rabbit. 😊😅 Now I am more comfortable with my abilities and moved from foundation class to intermediate. I started swimming and generally being more active and less “overprotective” of myself. Sarah’s Pilates lessons are very carefully tailored for people with a stoma. I feel totally comfortable exercising under her guidance.”

“Sarah’s classes are simply unique… not only is she a clinical expert, but she also has the lived experience of having a stoma. She just ‘gets’ it! Her classes have changed my life, she has given me so much support, advice, and confidence to take part in exercise again. I cannot thank her enough.”

“Sarah is amazing and her range of Clinical Pilates classes are perfect to give anyone the confidence and strength to get back to normal life after stoma surgery.I have benefitted so much over the past few months since my operation. Give it a try!”

“I found out about pilates for ostomy patients by chance, and am so grateful I applied for classes through the Ileostomy Association.
Sarah’s thoughtful, encouraging classes have brought me from the unable to lift a kettle, to completing push-ups (something I had never been able to do) less than a year post-surgery and have been instrumental in rebuilding my strength and confidence.”

“Sarah and her classes are amazing. I was so nervous after my operation but Sarah helped me get back to running safely and with confidence.”

“I reached out to Sarah after months of radio and chemotherapy and then major abdominal surgery last summer. She really boosted my confidence to get back to exercise and an active life. Within 6 months I was skiing again for 11 days and also committed to a sea kayaking trip. Things I never imagined I would be doing with my stoma. I seldom miss one of her weekly on-line Pilates classes – they are part of my weekly fitness regime.”

“I found Sarah by accident and have never looked back. Nine months later I feel great and have much more confidence, better posture and core strength. She really knows how to help people like us safely.”