Whether it's getting a break from work, the kids, other life responsibilities, or your own brain – taking time for yourself is a must. At maeve, we like to combine moments of self-care with strengthening, sculpting and sweating it out through Pilates. So it's good for your mental, good for your body, good for your soul, all in one visit. Perfect!
Good news! You've just stumbled upon your new favourite escape.
hey friend, welcome to maeve
Our maeve was also named after our founder Ciara's daughter – another fierce Queen. Ciara first discovered mat Pilates while dealing with a difficult journey to get pregnant, loving that it made her feel strong and more like herself amidst the emotional rollercoaster she was on. Then, post emergency c-section, she discovered reformer Pilates – drawn to it because of the added support it provided – and fell in love with how it helped her heal. Fed up with studios that felt like either 'you-can't-sit-with-us' clubs or soulless corporate chains – and longing for somewhere that felt welcoming, inclusive, community orientated (but that also felt more spa than smelly gym), the idea for maeve was born. We opened our first location in 2023 in Bruntsfield, before expanding to Leith in 2024 and East Lothian in 2026.
In Irish mythology, Maeve was a fierce warrior Queen of great strength + resilience. If Pilates had been around then, she would have been a regular.
about us
We created maeve to be the kind of studio you feel instantly at home in – welcomed, wanted and comfortable. Our boutique ethos and focus on making sure your class experience is great (every.single.time) is what we pride ourselves on.
Our mission? Create spaces where Pilates feels like the best part of your day, not a chore you need to check off your list.
Founder and Instructor
ciara
the one who started it all
Ciara teaches Reformer Pilates (and soon Mat!) at our East Lothian studio. Her goal is to have you leave class feeling impressed with yourself – so her classes promise to be comfortably challenging and leave you feeling strong. Ciara specifically understands the challenge of recovering and rebuilding following pregnancy, child birth and major surgery so she is especially passionate about helping clients get back to feeling like themselves through Pilates. Alongside teaching, Ciara manages all things maeve; she is a passionate entrepreneur with a previous successful marketing business under her belt. When not working, Ciara enjoys spending time with her family, going for long walks, cooking + eating!
Alongside our founder we have an amazing team of instructors at our studios who all bring their own personality, style and experience to their classes.
meet the maeve instructors
Denise is a Pilates, Yoga and strength coach who loves making movement feel good, fun and a little bit spicy. Her style is supportive, uplifting and all about helping you feel strong and confident in your body, challenging you just enough so you leave feeling empowered and grounded. Denise is pre/post natal qualified.
denise
Focus: Mat + Reformer Pilates
Location: East Lothian
As a Strength Coach and Women's Health Specialist, Beth classes are about having fun, enjoying the moment and pushing yourself to find out just how strong you are. Expect great music, laughs, a motivational chat; leaving feeling empowered and ready to take on the day! Beth is pre- and post-natal qualified so her classes are suitable for pre/post-natal women.
Beth
Focus: Barre, Barre Sculpt
Location: Leith
Georgie teaches Pilates with a focus on control and precision. Her classes are quietly challenging, building deep strength and stability. Expect controlled movements that challenge you in the best way.
georgie
Focus: Reformer + Mat Pilates
Location: Leith
Lauren's classes are all about mindful movement, building strength, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome – no matter your experience level. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned pro, Lauren brings warmth, energy, and a deep appreciation for the body to every session.
Lauren
Focus: Reformer + Mat Pilates
Location: Leith
With a background in contemporary dance, Alex M teaches Mat and Reformer Pilates with a calm and kind approach. Her sessions are about a quiet awareness of your strength, gentle control and a deeper sense of being at home in your body.
alex m
Focus: Reformer + Mat Pilates
Location: Leith
Join Emma in class for feel-good flows in a welcoming environment that strengthen and sculpt, whilst also improving balance, mobility, and flexibility.
emma
Focus: Mat Pilates
Location: Leith
Alex is a former attorney from the USA who found movement as a way to manage an extremely stressful job. With over seven years experience as a fitness instructor, Alex believes that movement should be fun! After class find her exploring the city with her husband and two little boys.
alex s
Focus: Reformer Pilates
Location: Leith
Every person who skips through our doors adds something special to our community. Your energy, your goals, your stories about what you did at the weekend, it all makes maeve what it is.
We're not about dramatic transformations or "no pain, no gain". We're about finding sustainable ways to feel fantastic in your body (and mind) and enjoying ourselves along the way.
Ever been to those studios where you feel like you're just another number on a check in list? Yeah, we hated that too.
here at maeve you will always fit in
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Nestled within a former wine and whisky warehouse on The Shore in Leith, Edinburgh's coolest neighbourhood, our Leith studio features high ceilings, big windows and lots of natural light giving it a New York loft-style vibe we are obsessed with! Inside, you'll find our 6-bed reformer studio and our 10-capacity mat and barre studio. Classes in Leith stay true to our maeve boutique philosophy of being intentionally intimate to ensure you get personalised attention and support. Surrounded by other amazing independent businesses on The Shore, our favourite thing to do post-class is to grab a coffee + pastry or brunch.
the leith studio
02
Our newest location, situated amongst the glorious East Lothian countryside and just minutes from the coast, is our studio at Fenton Barns. Here, the vibe is a cosy coastal hideout, bringing our usual maeve aesthetic and style to a cleverly converted warehouse building. Inside, you'll find our 8-capacity mat studio and our separate 6-bed reformer studio. Classes in East Lothian stay true to our maeve boutique philosophy of being intentionally intimate to ensure you get personalised attention and support. Post-class, we are big fans of visiting nearby Archerfield Walled Garden for coffee + a wander or heading to Gullane, grabbing a coffee and heading for a beach walk – bliss!
the east lothian studio
