LMP Member Spotlight: Kate Sylvester-Kilroy
We are so excited to be spotlighting the wonderful Kate to start off 2026. I actually filmed a LMP class with Kate whilst I was pregnant so she might look familiar to a few members! I’ve linked the practise here for you. But Kate is probably more familiar with you from her wonderful encouraging comments and for always bringing the LMP community to life with her enthusiasm and spirit.
We even sometimes both get asked if Kate works officially for LMP. I should probably hire you Kate hehe but just to say thank you for bringing your zest for life to LMP. Aside from Kate’s love for Pilates, I’ve got to know Kate over the years and Kate is one of those 1 in a million diamonds who is so so attentive and goes above and beyond for people in her life. Read Kate’s interview below.
Intermediate to Advanced Signature Pilates With Small Ball #223
“I’ve come to recognise and realise that gentle consistency makes me feel better. ”
Where are you based?
Happy New Year to everyone! I’m Kate and I’m based in Bedford, England which is 50 miles north of London.
How did you discover Pilates?
I discovered and immediately fell in love with the joy and power of Pilates back in 1997, relatively shortly after my daughter was born and I bought a VHS video entitled The Pilates Way by Lynne Robinson, the founder of Body Control Pilates. Lynne and her Pilates colleagues (which included LMP Amina’s mum!) brought Pilates to the general population of the UK via this video and subsequent ones, books and manuals, and I initially taught myself via them.
I remember very clearly being unbelievably excited when I attended my first in person Pilates course with Sarah Jones, a Body Control Pilates teacher, now based in Devon in 2000, as I couldn’t believe that Pilates had come to my home town (I had only seen classes held in London).
I’ve done Pilates ever since with teachers from a variety of Pilates training schools but mainly focusing on Body Control. I discovered Lottie during Covid when I was at home and needed my Pilates to get me through more than ever. Pilates with Lottie has been extremely positive and has enhanced and deepened my love, knowledge and technique of Pilates more than I could ever have imagined.
What’s your favourite class on the LMP platform?
This is such a difficult question as I try to balance my types of classes and the LMP studio is great for this. I am prioritising strength and bone health and I love the prop section and weight series.
However, my first love is classical Pilates and practicing the original Joseph Pilates mat exercises and I am so excited that Sophie Oti who is classically trained is now part of the LMP team. I am really looking forward to her classes. I love the Return to You Series, however, if I had to choose one class, it would be #340 Advanced Classical Flow, it is a beautiful class and I am always so full of gratitude to Lottie afterwards.
Do you have a daily non negotiable or self-care habit?
Both Jacob, my husband and Tabitha, my daughter said I have so many! I try and exercise everyday for both my mental and physical health. I’ve come to recognise and realise that gentle consistency makes me feel better. I also make sure I go out in the sunlight every day which can be quite hard in the UK and I also take a vitamin D supplement, but perhaps my most important daily habit is to make time to connect with friends and family as these connections are very important to me. Other habits which I should quickly mention are my semi-obsession with skincare and sleep but I am still unfortunately working on my sleep!
What is your favourite food or do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share with us?
I am a terrible cook, I am afraid, and cooking is definitely not a skill of mine! However, I love a celebration with family and friends and the warmth, closeness and connection that a table gathering brings. My favourite celebration meal is Dover Sole, creamed potato and spinach but I’m usually ordering a jacket potato with cheese and beans or soup and chips (fries) with too much ketchup at the local cafe! I enjoy a glass of rose champagne and a cocktail: negroni and cosmopolitan would be my go to.
Kate with some LMP teachers and members having lunch.
Are you working on anything personally or professionally at the moment?
I am a town planner and work in a family business which is a privilege. I’m a BDHRA Trustee, a Bedford based disabled riding centre charity, which is solely volunteer led and provides riding and pony therapy for children and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Working with our amazing volunteers is truly humbling, inspiring and rewarding and BDHRA provides a valuable service as SEND children find accessing sport and exercising very challenging. The ponies also help calm the children and it is very powerful and impactful to see the positive change to these children’s lives and the bond of trust between the participants, ponies and volunteers and to see how these beautiful animals can make such a positive impact to families lives.
Are you reading anything at the moment?
I enjoy classical literature with Jane Austen and Persuasion is probably being my most favourite of her books. I usually listen to the audio version of a book as we are a dyslexic family and accessing literature through the spoken word has been very empowering.
Personally I really enjoy listening to podcasts. These fall loosely into wellbeing and Pilates subject matter. I’m currently listening to: Age Better with Liz Earle, Zoe Science & Nutrition, Beyond the Bathroom and Therapy Works; Pilates Elephants, Meet Your Body and Modern Body.
If any members are interested in learning more about Bone Health this episode with Dr Vonda Wright is an insightful listen.
Do you have any advice that has impacted you and wish to share?
I had to really think about this question as everyone has their own path, but the most important consideration to me is kindness. This is why I was drawn to Lottie’s Pilates from the very first class I took during Covid as she was such a ray of kind, calm sunshine during dark times. Lottie and the community she has created is full of kindness, encouragement, empowerment and connection but particularly kindness and it is an outstanding quality of Lottie herself and I feel grateful and thankful to know her. Her kindness shines through as she so beautifully guides us during our LMP classes, newsletters, emails and her community. So in the words of Aesop, the Ancient Greek story teller:
‘No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted’.
Awww, Kate we love you! Thank you for being such a kind and committed member of our community.