Ruth Larkin

Ballet, Film & TV:

Ruth started ballet classes at the age of 3 and it quickly became a passion leading her to be accepted into Tring Park Arts Educational School at the age of 14. Here she received 4 years of professional training in all forms of dance and music. It was at this stage she was introduced to the benefits of sports massage after suffering a minor back injury during ballet class and finding how well it helped recovery.

After graduating, and spending a summer dancing in some music videos which will remain happily in the archives, Ruth worked in the entertainment industry for 10 years as an acting agent and casting assistant. There was never a dull moment working in London with some of the UK’s most famous actors, writers and comedians but long hours behind a desk ultimately was not for her.

Sports Massage:

In 2006, following an inspirational treatment, she went to train at the North London School of Sports Massage graduating with credit in spite of still working full time throughout, then moved to work full time in therapy shortly afterwards. Word spread quickly and Ruth’s client base grew across London. She practiced from various physiotherapy clinics as well as providing mobile treatments and was also invited to work with the English National Ballet during one Christmas season. Her work with the dancers proved to popular she was immediately asked to return with some lead principal dancers becoming very regular clients.

Pilates:

In the midst of all the massaging is was clear that many clients would benefit from rehabilitative exercise, so it was time to upskill and Ruth qualified as a Pilates teacher in 2013. She has helped countless people get fitter and stronger as well as dealing with post-surgical rehabilitation and long-term joint issues or injuries. Her philosophy is to give people back control over their bodies, remove any fears around exercise and dispel the mysteries around back pain!

During the lockdown of 2020, Ruth turned her hand to teaching online which often featured her 2 cats, Heisenberg & Chester. Animals are fantastic therapy and even some massage clients would request they join in the treatment room! At that time, she was also asked to join the international team of teachers though the Ekhart Yoga platform with her content now available in over 100 countries.

Pregnancy work:

Ruth’s initial massage course was so in-depth that prenatal techniques were already within her skillset. But living in north London she noticed many “mother and baby” classes either excluded fathers or focused on the babies only, so she set up her Parent Pilates classes to help people rehabilitate and recharge after giving birth and baby massage classes to facilitate bonding and confidence for all the family. These became firm favourites locally and she now regularly lectures on a Postnatal Yoga teacher training course.

Personal injury & AS:

All this physical training became a lifeline in 2018 when, after 9 years of increasing back pain, Ruth was hospitalised with severe, painful symptoms after a nerve injection procedure. After 2 weeks of tests and trauma she discharged herself still none the wiser as to what was happening, but with severely eroded joints in the lower back. After 3 more rheumatology appointments she was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a form of inflammatory arthritis, and the journey towards finding the right treatment started. It took 2 months of self-rehab to get back to work and a further 2 years of experimentation to come up with her management strategy. After experiencing such chronic pain, she has a deep understanding of what having a long-term condition means and how pain can affect your life. Having worked with NASS in the UK which supports those with this disease and works to improve patient outcomes, Ruth’s focus is now to help others who may be suffering in any way and bring a positive message that help is available.