There is something incredibly comforting about being given a ready made class plan:
Music chosen
Moves designed.
Choreography mapped out.
Timing perfect. All you have to do is show up, learn it, and deliver it.
For many teachers, Les Mills and similar franchises have offered exactly this for a long time and it felt like the perfect lifeline, they gave structure, credibility, and a sense of belonging to something global. For new instructors third parties were the gateway into teaching and this matters. However, there is a huge BUT coming, as after decades in our industry, I think we need to talk about something gently, honestly, and with enormous compassion, because there has also been a quiet cost.
When creativity Is outsourced someone else does the thinking, the designing, the creating and something subtle begins to happen over time. Not immediately and not even intentionally but slowly instructors begin to believe that creativity belongs somewhere else, that programming belongs to “the experts,” that choreography should arrive in a quarterly package, that innovation comes from a headquarters far away and before long, something very powerful starts to fade – The belief that you can create it yourself.
While instructors have been waiting for the next release, the fitness world has been shifting, subtly at first as boutique studios emerged, independent educators started building their own systems, online coaches created global communities. Creative instructors began designing formats that were uniquely theirs they didn’t wait for permission, they experimented, they refined and they built. Suddenly our industry became full of creators while many incredibly talented instructors were still waiting for the next choreography pack to arrive. Not because they are not capable, but because for years they had been taught gently but repeatedly that creation belonged somewhere else.
This hidden undermining of self belief is the part that deserves the most empathy. Most instructors did not choose this consciously, they entered programmes that promised support, structure, and opportunity and often those programmes delivered amazing communities and great teaching experiences. But when you spend years delivering someone else’s ideas, it can quietly reshape how you see yourself.
You may start to think:
I’m just a teacher not a creator.
I’m not qualified to design something myself.
Someone else probably knows better.
This is heartbreaking, because the truth is the complete opposite. Group exercise instructors are some of the most creative, adaptable, people-focused professionals in the entire fitness industry but creativity is like a muscle “if you don’t use it you lose it,” and worse you begin to believe you don’t have it.
The World Is Now Rewarding Creators as today the industry is changing again. The instructors who are thriving are not necessarily the ones with the most licences, they are the ones who are:
• Creating their own programmes • Designing their own training experiences • Building their own communities • Developing their own voice
They are thinking, experimenting and leading and the exciting thing is that every instructor can do this, not just the big brands, not just the master trainers – YOU.
Reclaim your creative powerand do it now. If you have spent years teaching pre-designed programmes, this is not criticism, it is an invitation because the skills you have built are extraordinary.
You already know how to:
• Read a room • Build energy • motivate people • structure a class • coach movement • hold attention
These are the hard parts of teaching groups. Designing your own class, format, or style is simply the next step and once instructors rediscover this ability, something magical happens, their teaching becomes more authentic, more alive and all rewards belong to the owner.
The future belongs to thinking instructors, the industry no longer needs more people delivering scripts, it needs thinkers, innovators, instructors brave enough to trust their own instincts. When instructors reclaim their creativity, the entire industry becomes richer as they stop waiting for opportunity to arrive in a box.
From Me To You if you have spent years inside a system where everything was done for you, please remember that today you are experienced, you are skilled and you already hold everything you need. The only thing left is to remember something the industry may have quietly taught you to forget – You are capable of creating something extraordinary all you have to do is change your lane.
Quoting self-appointed spiritual leaders without scrutiny is risky in a culture that too often mistakes charisma for character.
For years within yoga and wellness spaces, certain figures were elevated beyond question. Their words were framed, shared, memorised, and repeated as if insight automatically conferred integrity. Our industry has always had a tendency to anoint its own saints.
The recent scrutiny around public figures such as Deepak Chopra particularly regarding his past associations and the well documented misconduct allegations and legal cases involving Bikram Choudhury have forced many in yoga communities to pause. These situations are not identical, but they expose a common vulnerability, the danger of placing individuals on pedestals simply because they speak the language of consciousness, healing, or enlightenment.
Yoga teaches discernment yet in modern wellness culture, discernment is often replaced by branding. A best-selling book, a large following, a confident tone, or a celebrity endorsement can create an illusion of moral authority. Once someone is labelled “spiritual,” their words can circulate unquestioned, detached from accountability.
This is not about condemnation by association, nor about dismissing every idea a flawed person has ever expressed. It is about maturity. It is about recognising that charisma is not the same as ethics. That eloquence about consciousness does not equal conscious behaviour. That proximity to power being financial, social, or spiritual deserves scrutiny, not reverence.
The case of Bikram Choudhury was particularly sobering for yoga communities. For years, his system was celebrated globally while numerous allegations were minimised or ignored. It revealed how easily devotion, hierarchy, and commercial success can silence critical thinking.
In the current climate where information moves quickly and reputations can collapse overnight the lesson should be clear to us all; no teacher should be beyond question. No quote should replace critical thought. No following should substitute for due diligence.
Yoga at its core encourages self-inquiry, not hero-worship. The practice asks us to look inward, to cultivate ethical grounding, not to outsource our moral compass to whoever sounds most enlightened on a podcast.
Perhaps the most responsible stance now is this, appreciate ideas, but scrutinise leaders. Respect teachings, but verify character. And remember that true authority in yoga has never been about personality it has always been about practice.
This is so important as we move forward as intelligent articulate coaches.
Jayne Nicholls explores rethinking safety in group exercise sessions, and says that over-emphasising safety may ultimately risk injury
I was prompted to write this after an instructor came to one of my presentations and asked me “are you worried when you see so many people moving out of alignment?” It’s a long journey of re-education but here are the basics relating to the risk of injury in group X modalities.
In our industry, one of the longest-running debates revolves around the value of accredited qualifications versus pre-choreographed, licence-fee fitness programmes. At first glance, both appear to serve the same purpose, providing instructors with a pathway into group exercise. But dig deeper and the differences are huge. They may overlap audiences, but do they deliver the same long-term value?
One is about entertainment, simplicity, and a plug-and-play formula. The other is about true education, foundation, and creating skilled professionals with the freedom to build businesses.
And that’s why the Level 2 Exercise to Music (ETM) qualification will always stand head and shoulders above licence-based pre-choreographed models
Pre-Choreographed = Fun, Fast, But Limited
There’s no denying the attraction of pre-choreographed fitness models. They are fun, accessible, and easy to deliver. Instructors pay a licence fee, receive pre-packaged music and routines, and deliver them almost exactly as prescribed. It’s theatre meets exercise, great for those who want to entertain, to be part of the model without worrying about programming, and to join a community where the “hard work” has already been done for them.
For many participants, this is exactly what they want: something enjoyable, predictable, and instantly engaging. Pre-choreographed formats provide confidence and structure to new instructors who may not yet feel ready to design their own classes.
But the truth is, pre-choreographed models are not a career foundation, they are a product. And like all products, they tie you into a system, dictate your creativity, and ultimately limit your growth.
Level 2 Exercise to Music = The True Foundation
Now contrast this with Level 2 Exercise to Music, the original entry point for group exercise instructors in the UK and beyond. This qualification doesn’t just show you how to deliver choreography; it teaches you why movement works, how to structure a session, and how to apply music intelligently to exercise.
Instead of delivering someone else’s choreography, you’re learning to:
Design your own classes from scratch.
Understand anatomy and physiology so that you can programme safe and effective workouts.
Cue, coach, and motivate participants across a wide range of fitness levels.
Adapt to different audiences, whether you’re teaching beginners, older adults, or experienced fitness enthusiasts.
Use music creatively to craft experiences, rather than being locked into a single style.
This isn’t about short-term entertainment. It’s about developing the skillset and confidence to stand in front of any group, in any space, and deliver a class that works. That’s why ETM has launched thousands of careers, while licence-based programmes tend to keep instructors as deliverers of content rather than creators of it.
Two Models, Two Journeys
Here’s the critical point, pre-choreographed models and Level 2 ETM are not competing products they should serve serve two entirely different audiences.
The pre-choreographed audience wants fun, community, and entertainment. They want to switch off and follow along. For instructors, it’s often a side-hustle or hobby enjoyable, but not necessarily something that builds independence or a sustainable career.
The ETM audience is different. These are the people who want to invest in themselves, learn the craft, and lay the foundation for a serious future in fitness. For them, group exercise is not just a hobby it’s a business, a brand, and a profession.
Both are valid choices. But only one unlocks freedom and growth.
Why Level 2 ETM Wins Every Time
When you take the long view, Level 2 Exercise to Music is unbeatable. Here’s why:
Ownership of your work With ETM, you aren’t paying monthly licence fees for someone else’s choreography. You own your classes, your routines, your brand.
Transferable skills ETM equips you with knowledge and tools that apply across every style of group fitness, from aerobics to dance, conditioning to circuits, Pilates to Yoga.
Professional credibility As a regulated qualification, ETM demonstrates to employers, insurers, and clients that you have the knowledge to deliver safe, effective, and adaptable sessions.
Unlimited creativity You decide the music, the moves, the atmosphere. You’re not stuck to a script, you’re free to innovate and respond to trends.
A business foundation ETM graduates have the ability to run their own classes, brand their own programmes, and build independent businesses without the constraints of licence fees or corporate structures.
This is what makes ETM the true powerhouse. It doesn’t just teach you to deliver a workout. It gives you the blueprint for a career.
The Hard Truth
If your goal is simply to deliver a great night out, connect with people, and keep it light, then pre-choreographed programmes will always have their place. They do their job well, and for many instructors and participants, they’re a great fit. They make instructing easy.
But if you want to build a career, launch your own classes, and have complete creative control over your future, then there’s no comparison. Level 2 Exercise to Music is the foundation that everything else is built on.
Pre-choreographed models might feel like the fast track, but they’re really a loop that keeps you in place. Level 2 ETM is the launch pad that allows you to grow, evolve, and carve out your own success in the fitness industry.
For anyone serious about group exercise, the choice is clear Level 2 ETM isn’t just training. It’s the difference between being a performer and being a professional.
As the creator of Freestyle Yoga (FY), I have spent decades evolving this programme into what it is today, a seamless blend of yoga inspired movement, strength, and flexibility training, designed specifically for the fitness environment. One of the questions I am most often asked is: “Why don’t you use traditional yoga philosophy or Sanskrit in your classes?”
The answer is simple: because our participants come to us for fitness knowledge, not philosophy.
Use What You Know – Evidence Over Tradition
Every fitness instructor already has the most powerful toolkit at their disposal – evidence-based knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, this is the foundation of our industry and the reason we are trusted professionals. In Freestyle Yoga, it is not only appropriate but absolutely essential to use this knowledge when teaching.
Why rely on vague concepts like energy lines or prana when you can explain posture through muscle activation, joint alignment, and breath control? Why lean on tradition when you have clear, scientific language that participants understand instantly? Our industry has moved forward because it is rooted in research and evidence and that is what gives our classes credibility.
Speaking the Language of Fitness
When you cue a posture by explaining which muscles should fire, how to stabilise the joints, or how to breathe for efficiency, you are not just filling space with words you are teaching with authority. You are empowering participants with knowledge they can apply beyond the studio.
For example, instead of saying “open your heart centre,” you can say “lift the sternum, retract the shoulder blades, and engage the upper back.” This doesn’t just sound clearer it helps participants understand what their bodies are doing and why. It keeps them safe, helps them progress, and removes the intimidation that can sometimes come with traditional yoga language.
Fitness First, Always
Freestyle Yoga is not about dismissing yoga, it’s about adapting yoga inspired movement into a modern, results driven fitness programme. We respect yoga’s heritage, but our responsibility is to our clients. They trust us to use our fitness training to deliver safe, effective, and measurable results. This is why I urge every instructor to lean into what you know. You have studied, trained, and earned qualifications based on science and research, that knowledge is your strength. Use it. When you explain a pose through evidence based principles, you are not only teaching movement you are teaching understanding.
The FY Difference
Freestyle Yoga empowers instructors to strip away the barriers of philosophy and tradition and replace them with clarity, inclusivity, and results. By using the language of fitness, you ensure your classes are accessible to everyone, whether it’s their first time in a yoga-inspired class or their hundredth. When you teach from a place of knowledge, not mystique, you connect directly with your participants’ goals, you give them what they came for, better strength, mobility, flexibility, and peace of mind delivered in a way that makes sense to them.
In summary for you to use in your marketing: The absolute importance of using fitness knowledge in Freestyle Yoga cannot be overstated. Evidence trumps tradition. Science beats mystique. Results beat ritual. Your expertise is what sets you apart and when you use it, you elevate both yourself and your participants.
Jayne Nicholls Creator of Freestyle Yoga
Someone in class today pointed out that this is personal not presecriptive which really resonated with me so I wanted to elaborate on it.
As teachers, many of us move between the worlds of fitness and yoga. If you’ve ever taught or attended Body Balance, you’ll know how beautifully constructed it is, music-driven, tightly choreographed, and universally replicable. Everyone across the globe is doing the same class, at the same pace, to the same track. It’s slick, it’s consistent, and it works BUT it’s also a formula.
Freestyle Yoga is the opposite. There is no set choreography, no beat-to-beat script, no external structure telling us when to inhale, when to lunge, when to rise. Instead, we invite people into their own process. We hold the space, offer options, and allow them to explore what their bodies need in that moment. The flow emerges from within rather than being imposed from the outside.
This difference is subtle but profound. In Body Balance, the measure of success is uniformity, how well participants follow, how closely the class mirrors the choreography. In freestyle yoga, the measure of success is individuality, how deeply participants connect with themselves, how they merge breath, body, and awareness into a seamless flow.
For us as teachers, this changes everything. We move away from the role of instructor, the one who tells people what to do; into the role of facilitator. We observe, guide, and encourage. We create an environment where strength, mobility, balance, and mindfulness happen naturally without being prescribed.
And here’s the beauty, when we teach in this way, yoga’s philosophy merges with your individual message. We don’t need to add it in as a lecture or a script. It is lived through choice, breath, awareness, and freedom in movement.
So next time you step into the studio, notice where you sit as a teacher. Are you directing the external, or are you creating space for the internal? Both have value. But in a world where everything is increasingly prescribed, the opportunity to teach yoga freestyle is a gift, for our participants and for ourselves.
Why are we so scared of moving beyond the safety net of Level 2 guidelines? Ticking boxes and sticking to the “rules” keeps us safe, but it also keeps us small. Fitness was never meant to be about staying comfortable for us or for the people who walk into our classes. We are meant to wobble, struggle, fatigue in order to improve. this is the process.
Our clients don’t show up for mediocrity. They don’t come for “basic moves performed safely.” They come for transformation, challenge, and a sense of what they are truly capable of. Yet too often, we dilute the experience out of fear, fear of being wrong, fear of being judged, fear of stepping into the space where growth actually happens.
The average human being is capable of so much more than the watered-down versions we offer when we cling to guidelines as gospel. Guidelines should guide, not confine. They should open the door to exploration, not close it.
If we truly listen, we’ll hear what people are asking for: strength, resilience, energy, escape, empowerment. None of these live in “basic.” They live in the messy, sweaty, exhilarating space where change happens.
So maybe the question is not “what’s safe?” but “what’s possible?”
The Reformer is no longer just a Pilates machine—it’s a movement revolution.
At Freestyle Yoga, we believe the future of Reformer lies in integration, innovation, and inclusivity. As this powerful equipment continues to evolve, so does the way we move with it. For all fitness professionals, – what’s ahead is going to move you, literally and figuratively
From Classical to Cutting Edge
The Reformer’s journey began as a rehabilitative tool built from hospital bed springs. Today, it’s being reimagined through functional yoga, strength training, breathwork, and mindfulness. No longer limited to Pilates purists, Reformer movement now speaks to athletes, yogis, fit pros, and anyone who wants to move with purpose and precision.
What’s Next for the Reformer?
1. Fusion Practices Are Leading the Way
Freestyle Yoga is at the forefront of this shift—blending yoga, breath and resistance-based movement into a dynamic, accessible Reformer format.
Smart Reformers Are on the Rise
Think digital spring tracking, form feedback, and connected coaching. Reformer tech is evolving fast—offering immersive training experiences in both studios and homes.
Mind-Body Movement Is the New Standard
The future of fitness is nervous system informed. Expect Reformer classes that prioritise breath, regulation, and recovery alongside power and precision.
Compact, At-Home Innovation
Reformers are becoming smarter, sleeker, and space-saving—making this once-exclusive tool more available for home use, online sessions, and hybrid studio models. Just check out Aldis latest middle age sensation to see what I mean!
Designed for Everybody
The Reformer is expanding—literally and figuratively—to make movement more inclusive and empowering:
Accessible variations for larger bodies, mobility needs, and aging joints
Trauma-informed cueing and community classes
Diverse bodies leading the way in teacher training and client experience
A Global Movement
Online education is transforming how we teach and train with the Reformer. Our mission? To create a worldwide community of movement leaders who use the Reformer not just for fitness, but for freedom, connection, and transformation.
Ready to Move Forward?
Whether you’re joining us on the mat, on the machine, or in our teacher training, know this:
The future of Reformer isn’t just about stronger bodies—it’s about deeper presence, smarter movement, and a more empowered you.
Let’s move forward, together. – Freestyle Yoga = Reformer Y
Freestyle Fitness Yoga™, a pioneering brand that has been at the forefront of blending yoga with fitness for 25 years, is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in its journey. As part of a rebranding effort to mark this momentous milestone, the brand will now be known simply as Freestyle Yoga™. This evolution reflects its enduring commitment to redefining the face of modern yoga while embracing a broader, more inclusive identity.
Since its inception, Freestyle Fitness Yoga™ has been a trailblazer in offering innovative yoga practices that fuse traditional yoga with the principles of fitness. Over the past 25 years, the brand has empowered countless instructors and operators via its unique approach. The name change to Freestyle Yoga™ honours this rich legacy while embracing a streamlined and forward-thinking vision for the future.
Why the Change?
The decision to adopt the name Freestyle Yoga™ is rooted in the desire to simplify and modernise the brand’s identity while staying true to its core values. “The word ‘fitness’ has always been a key part of our philosophy, but as yoga evolves and our community grows, we want our name to reflect the inclusive and transformative nature of our practice,” said Jayne Nicholls Founder of Freestyle Yoga™. “Freestyle Yoga captures the essence of our brand—dynamic, adaptable, and deeply rooted in the principles of empowerment and self-discovery”
Looking Ahead
As Freestyle Yoga™ embarks on its next chapter, the brand remains committed to:
Innovative Practices: Continuing to push boundaries with cutting-edge programs that blend yoga, fitness, and holistic well-being.
Cost Effective Education: Strengthening its global community of practitioners through accessible, inclusive, and inspiring education.
Future Evolution: Expanding its reach while maintaining a focus on the evolution of both yoga and fitness.
“I want every Freestyle Yoga Instructor to be able to teach all types of yoga using their fitness knowledge and experience.”
A Celebration of Legacy
To celebrate this milestone, Freestyle Yoga™ will host a series of events and initiatives throughout the year, collaborating with industry leaders. These efforts aim to honour the past 25 years while inspiring the next generation of yogis.
About Freestyle Yoga™
Freestyle Yoga™ is a globally recognised brand that combines the transformative power of yoga with the principles of fitness. Founded in 2000 the brand has consistently led the way in modern yoga innovation, empowering instructors to use their knowledge and experience in the teaching of yoga. With a focus on adaptability and self-expression, Freestyle Yoga™ continues to inspire and transform.
For more information about Freestyle Yoga™ upcoming events, innovations and to make contact with Jayne please visit www.groupxtraining or follow us on social media at Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
I am a huge advocate of modern yoga as you all know and am still after 24 years constantly navigating what yoga brings into my life, life in general and what is typically touted as yoga in our society.
So I have started bringing group discussion/rants usually led by me into the beginning of class, and this week has really got me going. Led by the fact that my 10 o’clock appointment turned up at 8.50, ten minutes before class, leaving me such a short time to verbalise my massive complaint about the continued disservice that his company provides (trust me this is huge). So I entered class all fired up. We then discussed the topic of us being labelled ANGRY, even by ourselves. ANGRY defined by the fact that we speak our minds, stand up for ourselves and argue against bad treatment, injustice and poor service, often termed FEISTY in relation to women. Someone so rightly pointed out that if we were men, we would be titled ALPHA!
We discussed how our weekly sessions dissipated our anger and how much we need them. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that physical yoga is the medium we love and the same would happen if we met for an hour of Scottish dancing, so don’t think that I buy into the magic powers of a yoga practice. We work long and hard at tying up all aspects of yoga to improve ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually but this is actualised off the mat, not on it. Now back to the point of this blog. I have always been outspoken and hopefully stood up for myself and others in the process, it is true that if I were male I would be ALPHA and referred to as having “a huge pair of balls” all of the macho nonsense that serves our patriarchal society, but I am not I am female, not an ANGRY female an ALPHA female. The same applies to my classmates.
In conclusion we must keep reminding ourselves that being ALPHA can be tiring for us and inconvenient for our audience/victims, but we should never have to apologise for standing up and speaking out. Rarely will people listen, accept or react to a quiet request in todays society so if we have to raise our voice, be consistently firm, drop the F bomb when needed; in fact whatever it takes to express the courage necessary to be heard – then so be it.
