Five minutes with Sophie-Rose Harper, the party girl turned Pilates maven

What do you get when you cross a former musician with a Pilates instructor? No, it’s not the setup for a joke — it’s Sophie-Rose Harper, who’s gone from belting out tunes on stage to guiding clients through the perfect form on a mat. The pivot from touring artist to Pilates studio owner wasn’t part of some grand plan. “When the first lockdown came around I couldn’t see how my band could make it work,” she explains. What started as online classes during the pandemic (“over fifty people would join, we were all so desperate to move!”) has evolved into her own private studio in West London. 

But don’t mistake Harper for just another wellness guru preaching green juices and 5am meditation. Her philosophy of “conscious hedonism” means balancing those perfect Pilates poses with weekend DJ sets alongside best friend Rosie Lowe. “I love a party but I also treasure sober days,” she admits, treating weekends “as selfishly as possible”. It’s this unexpected balance – reformer by day, records by night – that makes her approach so refreshing. And while she’s currently focusing on building what she offers in the Pilates world (designing activewear is amongst that) she insists her “album writing days are not over.” Here, we chat career pivots, anxiety antidotes, and finding euphoria in the most unexpected places.

How are you? How’s life treating you at the moment?

I’m pretty good, thank you. Life is busy with the opening of my studio, but I’m loving the pace. And I’m pining for spring and warmer days!

You’ve had this fascinating journey from being a singer to becoming a Pilates instructor. What was that pivot point where you thought, “This is what I’m going to do”?

I spent a lot of time writing, recording and touring in my teens and twenties. But when the first lockdown came around I couldn’t see how my band could make it work creatively and financially — when our bread and butter came mostly from playing shows. It was then that I decided to try something new, but not with the intention of quitting altogether. Just to give me a sense of control over my life and use my brain in other ways. As soon as I taught my first online class it gave a new lease of life. During lockdown, I would have over fifty people join the class — we were all so desperate to move! It was incredibly validating and I learnt so much in that time. From then on I just kept learning and growing my clientele whilst also writing music, Eventually I came to a crossroads and chose the path that made me happiest. 

You mentioned your anxiety was through the roof during your music career. How did Pilates become this unexpected therapy for you? 

I guess it felt like the first job I’d worked where I was in control, but also where I felt appreciated and exactly where I needed to be. The music Industry and all that it comes with is really hard on the soul — you’ll write your best song and sing your heart out but sometimes it touches people and sometimes it doesn’t. Record label meetings were tricky for me — so many men, very few women and above all next to no pay. It was inevitably unsustainable.

From performing on stage to teaching on a mat -— those worlds seem pretty different. What’s the common thread that connects those two parts of your life? 

I often try to understand how they align. I would say connection? I found that in the fans that listened to my music and the clients that take my classes week after week. When I played a good show I felt euphoric and when I teach a good class or my clients feel different or visibly stronger, it brings me the same joy. 

You’ve gone from teaching at Nobu Pilates to opening your own private studio in West London. What drove that decision to strike out on your own?

So many factors! I built a strong and supportive clientele who have been with me since the beginning. And I’d reached a ceiling I suppose. It just felt like the right progression for me. I had grown up in a household with both parents owning their own business at stages in their lives and that was inspiring to me — and not out of reach either. And I learnt so much working in various studios What I liked, what I didn’t like… Owning my own studio has been a dream of mine so it’s still pretty surreal to be here. 

There’s something interesting about how you describe Pilates — it’s not just physical, but almost like a mental reset. How does that transformation actually work? 

Joseph Pilates teaches us that Pilates is also to connect to mind and body — we have to tune in, from breathing, concentration and control. When you really tap in, it’s transformative both mentally and physically. 

You still dabble in DJing. Is that creative outlet serving something that Pilates can’t quite reach?

Absolutely. I listen to a lot of music and playing my favourite records and mixing them is still one of my greatest pleasures. I also DJ with my best friend Rosie Lowe. It’s really an excuse to play records, hang out and dance. 

Your approach to conscious hedonism is fascinating — this idea of being present in the moment. How does that philosophy show up in your day-to-day life?

I try to balance it all. I love a party but I also treasure sober days, where I get a lot done creatively. But I work pretty long hours so I treat the weekends as selfishly as possible. I’ll book an exhibition, supper in a spot I have yet to try, a facial with my girl Jo Ford, gym sessions at The Lighthouse… These are the things that keep me sane and happy. I’m not much of a meditator or journaling kind of person — more manifestations here and there. And energising conversations with friends. I guess I ask myself, how can I make the most out of life all of the time?

You’ve talked about always having room to grow in Pilates. What does progression look like for you right now?

When you’re working with the body, there is so much to learn. To stay inspired you have to keep learning which in turn also gives the person in front of me variety in their practice. I take a lot of workshops to further my learning. I read a lot. I research. I self-practice every week. If I can’t feel it, how can I teach it?

Loved seeing you pop up in the Alighieri campaign! How did that come about?  

I was so honoured to have my client and friend Rosh invite me to model for it. The Vanitas campaign is inspired by the confidence and curiosity of the cat, so I got to do a lot of movement — whilst shooting alongside a cat! Literally my dream day. Rosh designs, shoots and art directs with an incredible group of women — it was very cool to be a part of. 

What’s left? What are you still itching to explore either in Pilates or in your broader creative life?

I intend to build on the foundations of SR Pilates — an online portal and retreats are all things I’m planning for the future. I also have plans to collaborate on designing an activewear line. I wear so much activewear and I have so many ideas — not to mention the sustainability side of it. How can we progress further while making our mark negatively on the planet every time we buy a pair of leggings? And I would like to say that my album writing days are not over. I will make a record again someday…