A Pilates class for women 40+ runs at Welwyn Scout Hut at 9am on Thursdays to 26 November, at £60 for the four-week block. Updated November 2026.

A new Pilates class for women going through perimenopause and menopause is running at Welwyn Scout Hut on four Thursdays this month, at 9am from 5 to 26 November. The four-week block costs £60. It is in Welwyn village, not Welwyn Garden City.

The class is run by Joanna Michaelides, a menopause coach and women’s health Pilates specialist who founded Joanna M Wellness in 2018. “I have a new class starting this week in Welwyn village,” she told Welwyn Online.

Her flyer describes the class as “designed for women 40+” and sets out three aims:

  • “Build strength with confidence.”
  • “Improve balance and stability.”
  • “Pelvic floor-friendly movement.”

It adds: “No experience needed - beginners welcome.” The flyer calls it a “small, friendly class” with limited spaces.

Flyer for Pilates for peri/menopause under the Positive Change Pilates name, listing Thursdays at 9:00 at Welwyn Scout Hut from 5 to 26 November, £60 for the four-week block, designed for women 40+, beginners welcome.
The flyer for the Pilates for peri/menopause class. Image: supplied by Joanna M Wellness

What the classes involve

The sessions run under the name Positive Change Pilates. On the classes page of her website, Joanna says: “My classes combine Pilates with strength, mobility, balance, core and pelvic floor work.” She says they are “designed specifically with women 40+ in mind”.

Her website gives the reason in plainer terms: “Strength is about so much more than exercise. It’s about what strength lets you do.”

Joanna Michaelides smiling, wearing a yellow sleeveless top and glasses, in front of a weathered pink door.
Joanna Michaelides, founder of Joanna M Wellness. Photo: Aldcroft Photography, supplied by Joanna M Wellness

Why she started the business

Joanna M Wellness supports women through perimenopause and midlife with coaching, education and movement. In September it was named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026 by the Small Business Saturday campaign. The campaign is showcasing the businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday on 5 December.

Joanna explained at the time why she set the business up.

“For too long, women have reached perimenopause completely unprepared for the changes happening in their bodies,” she said. “I started Joanna M Wellness because I wanted women to have the education and support I wish I’d had myself, and to show women that getting older doesn’t mean giving up the things they love.”

Joanna Michaelides smiling, wearing a yellow sleeveless top and glasses, in front of a colourful geometric mosaic wall.
Joanna Michaelides in front of a mosaic wall. Photo: Aldcroft Photography, supplied by Joanna M Wellness

How to book

  • When: Thursdays at 9am, on 5, 12, 19 and 26 November
  • Where: Welwyn Scout Hut, Welwyn village
  • Cost: £60 for the four-week block
  • Who for: women 40+, with beginners welcome
  • Joining late: you can join after the start date, with the price adjusted to the weeks left
  • Next block: 3 to 17 December
  • To reserve a space: email joanna@joannamwellness.com

Joanna told us she is happy for people to join after the start date and that the price is adjusted accordingly. The next block runs from 3 to 17 December.