Svetlana Reznikova

A journey of passion, resilience, and classical pilates.

Photographs: Studio 41 Pilates

Text: Ophelia Wu

Starting a business, raising a family, and adjusting to life as an expat can be overwhelming. Yet Svetlana Reznikova, the owner of Copenhagen’s first classical Pilates studio, manages to do all of this with remarkable grace. Opened just before the pandemic, Studio 41 Pilates has steadily built a loyal following of Danish and international clients. But this success hasn’t come without its challenges.

A day in the life: Multiple hats and an anchor in pilates

For many women, balancing multiple roles is the norm, and Svetlana is no exception. She wears the hats of Pilates instructor, studio owner, manager, mother, and wife. No two days are the same: from handling morning meltdowns from her young children, school runs, back-to-back meetings with clients and staff, and tending to business needs, life as both a hands-on parent and business owner is full of surprises. Yet, through it all, Pilates remains her anchor, a space where she can breathe and centre herself amidst the chaos. It’s not just a job for Svetlana; Pilates is deeply embedded in her, both mentally and physically. It’s an extension of her - it keeps her grounded, focused, and strong in every sense.

From Russia to London, and finally to Copenhagen

Born in St. Petersburg, due to her father’s work, Svetlana is no stranger to moving around. At 21, she moved to London to pursue her studies. After 12 years in Birmingham and London, Svetlana was ready for a new chapter. It was in London that she met her Danish husband, began her Classical Pilates training and education, and started building her family.

After their first child was born, the couple decided to move to Copenhagen, just six months before the pandemic. It wasn’t too daunting and felt like a natural step. It had always been a matter of time for Svetlana—her husband’s family is based in Denmark, and Copenhagen had long felt like a second home, as they visited regularly. Though Svetlana has always been adaptive and quick to find her footing in new environments, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t faced challenges.

“It’s hard for everyone to start a business in Denmark,” she admits. “But I’m lucky I have support.” Despite the obstacles, Svetlana remains thoughtful and realistic in her approach to entrepreneurship, appreciating both the hurdles and the support systems available in Denmark. Running a business is a lot, and there are still things she’s figuring out. “If I were on my own, I probably wouldn’t do it,” she says candidly.

Studio 41 Pilates: From dream to reality

Svetlana’s dream of opening a Pilates studio was sparked years before she moved to Copenhagen. Trained in Classical Pilates over thousands of hours, she envisioned creating a space where the practice was taught authentically. However, when she visited and arrived in Copenhagen, she struggled to find a studio that offered what she was looking for, let alone one that catered to non-Danish speakers like herself.

“There weren’t many options for Classical Pilates in Copenhagen when I moved here,” she says. “And even when I visited before, I found it difficult to take classes because most teachers only spoke Danish.” This led Svetlana to a firm decision: her studio would cater to international clients, offering classes in English as long as there was at least one English speaker in the room.

Svetlana opened the studio as soon as Covid restrictions were lifted, also just two weeks after giving birth to her second child. “It was all overlapping,” she laughs. Despite the challenges, her vision for the studio quickly began to take shape. Her clients now include both Danish and non-Danish speakers, as well as international visitors to Copenhagen who already knew about Classical Pilates and sought out her studio. “I wanted something different, to bring the authentic Classical Pilates method to Copenhagen.”

As the first studio in the city to offer Classical Pilates, Svetlana holds herself to incredibly high standards. Her instructors are all highly trained, having completed at least 600 hours of teacher training within a year, and they continuously pursue further education through workshops and additional training. The studio is fully equipped with all classical Pilates equipment designed by Joseph Pilates, including Reformers, Cadillacs, and Chairs. With a focus on small, exclusive classes (no more than five to seven people), Svetlana ensures that each client receives individual attention, safety, and expert guidance.

A personal touch: Bringing London to Copenhagen

Although her studio is undeniably niche, it doesn’t look or feel particularly Danish, and that was unintentional. Svetlana’s vision for the space was shaped by her years in London. Simple details, like having changing and shower facilities, essential in London, where clients often slot Pilates classes into a busy schedule, are now part of the Studio 41 experience. It all came from the thought of: “If I were doing Pilates, what would I want?” she explains.

Classical Pilates is Svetlana’s passion—her eyes light up whenever she talks about it. She first discovered it while working in marketing in London. Over time, it became clear her true calling wasn’t at a desk, but in helping others experience the same physical and mental transformation. After undergoing rigorous training, Svetlana transitioned fully from marketing to become a Classical Pilates instructor. Her training took place in a London studio with notable clients, including Bianca Jagger, whose poise and elegance left a lasting impression. In honour of both her studio’s address on Vesterbrogade 41 and the inspiration she drew from the iconic Studio 54 era and the image of Jagger being on a white horse, Svetlana named it Studio 41 Pilates.

Classical Pilates: A journey, not a trend

In a world filled with fitness fads and trendy workouts, Svetlana’s mission remains clear: to offer Classical Pilates in its purest form. “Many people still wonder if Pilates is just the exercise on that machine, or if it’s the same as Reformer Pilates,” she says. “There are a lot of misconceptions—it’s important to educate people on what Classical Pilates really is.”

Classical Pilates is a structured system of exercises that focuses on breathing, strength, posture, and flexibility. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, the method begins with 34 mat exercises and then progresses to include apparatus work that supports and enhances the foundational movements. The six principles: Control, Flow, Precision, Concentration, Breath, and Centring, form the core of the practice.

While variations such as Hot Pilates, Yogalates, and HIIT Pilates have emerged, Svetlana remains devoted to the original method. “These adaptations may blend in other fitness elements, but they don’t necessarily follow the essence of the Classical Pilates method,” she explains. “Pilates is about control, awareness, and intention - it’s not just random movement. It’s all about improving flexibility, strength, and the flow of the body and spine. There’s a reason behind everything. There’s a framework you follow. The goal is to get the client to a level where they know the sequence and exercises, and eventually, have the independence to practise on their own.”

Balancing family and business

While running a business as a hands-on mother of two can be overwhelming, Svetlana places her family at the centre. She cherishes the flexibility that comes with being a small business owner. “It’s so rewarding to build personal relationships with my clients. The dynamics of a boutique studio means I get to interact with everyone and truly see their progress.” Word of mouth has brought more and more people to the studio, and she’s pleased to see a growing number of Danish clients alongside the international community.

When asked how to tell if someone is progressing in Pilates, Svetlana says: “It’s about consistency. Pilates is a journey. It’s not about how flexible or strong you are on the Reformer - it’s how you feel in everyday life. Can you sit up straight, stand tall, and move with ease? Do those daily movements feel more comfortable? If you practise Pilates, always return to the mat: when it’s just you and gravity, your body will tell you everything.”

Home: A family affair

As an international woman raising children in Denmark, Svetlana is deeply aware of the cultural contrasts. Though she has lived in various countries, Copenhagen feels like home, especially with her family by her side. After 14 years with her husband, she’s become accustomed to Danish culture.

One of her goals as a mother is for her children to maintain their Russian language skills. “They’re more Danish than Russian, but I hope they’ll speak more Russian as they grow,” she says with a smile. “I’m still losing that battle at the moment, it’s really hard to compete with the environment when Danish is the daily language they’re most comfortable in.” Her trilingual children are her greatest joy and motivation. “For the longest time, I was ‘Mor’, but I’ve finally got my eldest to call me ‘Mama’,” she laughs, celebrating this little victory.

Maintaining cultural traditions can be tricky, too. “Russians are Orthodox, we celebrate Christmas on 7th January, and New Year’s Eve is when the presents come. But in Denmark, Christmas is a huge deal just days before.” She cooks Russian food she enjoyed as a child, and attends local Russian community events when possible for her children. Still, she admits, “It’s a mixed family, and the kids are growing up in Denmark, some things will inevitably be lost.” When she reads Russian stories from her own childhood, her children can’t always relate or understand. Her motivation is to help them see how “cool” it is that they might one day be the only one in their class who can speak and read Russian, but she takes it one day at a time.

Whenever she can, Svetlana takes her children back to Russia to spend time with their grandparents, ensuring they stay connected to her roots. “Luckily, they like it now that they understand everything, and of course, being spoiled by the grandparents helps,” she smiles.

Adaptable by nature, she finds life in Denmark generally smooth and well-organised. “Some things may seem strange, but every international feels that way.” One cultural quirk that still surprises her? “Leaving babies outside to nap! I know it works here, but I definitely wouldn’t do that outside Denmark.”

Svetlana’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and adaptability. From her roots in Russia to building a thriving Pilates studio in the heart of Copenhagen, she has gracefully navigated cultural transitions, the realities of entrepreneurship, and the everyday joys and challenges of raising a family. Throughout it all, Pilates has remained her anchor, a grounding practice that fuels both her personal growth and professional mission.

At Studio 41 Pilates, Svetlana offers more than a workout. She’s created a space where people can reconnect with their bodies, experience the depth of Classical Pilates, and move with purpose and empowerment. For her, the studio is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets persistence, and a reminder that true strength lies in flexibility, both on and off the mat.