In a new series, BAZAAR’s Multiplatform Beauty Director talks to wellness inspirers about the rituals and routines that work for them. Bridget March meets Bryony Deeley. She discovered Pilates as part of her rehabilitation after a serious car accident left her with chronic pain, and was so impressed with its healing powers that she decided to devote her career to Pilates. Renowned Pilates instructor and founder of the fast-growing health and fitness app, Pilates by Bryony.
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “out of adversity comes opportunity.” Thirteen years ago, Bryony Deely, who was suffering from chronic pain from a serious car accident, a situation made even worse by progressive rheumatoid arthritis, never thought she’d see it coming. But that trauma led her to discover her art. “My doctor introduced me to Pilates as a form of rehabilitation,” she told me, recalling how surprised she was by its therapeutic effects. “Pilates completely healed all my injuries. I never thought that could happen.” After years of enjoying the “physical and mental benefits” of Pilates whenever she needed it, she chose to train as an instructor. When the 2020 pandemic lockdown prompted her to digitize her services (realizing again that difficulties help hone one’s strengths), she launched her own app, Pilates By Bryony. Today, the app boasts a rich video library of over 400 workouts, as well as sound, breathing and mindfulness classes, recipes and health tips.
As someone driven by the desire to feel her best “inside and out,” Deeley takes her self-care seriously, and she shares her routines and rituals below.
On the best investment for her health…
“I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis shortly after being in a car accident. At one point my fingers doubled in size and the pain was so bad I couldn’t tie my hair back or hold a pull-down light switch. I was offered twice-monthly injections to control the symptoms but I didn’t want to do that so I decided to try and heal the natural way.
“Daily Pilates and hot and cold therapy have completely changed my life. I now have an infrared sauna and ice bath almost every morning, and of course I invested heavily in a gym membership which I can use every day, and my symptoms have disappeared. I don’t even notice any arthritis now.”
Her morning routine is…
“When I work in an office during the week, I wake up between 5:45 and 6am. It’s important for me to have at least an hour to myself before I do my live Pilates class or anything else. I know not everyone is a morning person, but I feel so much stronger and calmer in the mornings.
“First, I take my Symprove probiotics, then I make my Cloudcha matcha, which is an important ritual for me. I don’t use an electric whisk or anything like that. Then I sit down and write in my journal and meditate. In my head, it’s like a strategy session for the day ahead. I get all clear while no one tries to get close to me and everything is calm.
“Then I rub the popsicle on my face. I’m obsessed with Skinny Confidential popsicles and use them every day. I used to have terrible acne, but in the last nine months, my acne seems to have disappeared. I think it’s because of the popsicles. It also changes the shape of your face. It’s amazing.”
“I also check my Oura Ring Score, which has really helped me sleep better as it makes me more aware and accountable.”
“Then after I finish my morning classes, I go for a walk. I love getting some fresh air and sunlight in the morning. After my walk, I’ll have an infrared sauna and ice bath before getting ready for the office.”
About finding ways to be active…
“I love walking – I find it very meditative. I try to walk 10,000 steps a day, but sometimes life prevents me from doing so. The easiest way to manage this is to take a walk in-between work. If I split up my walks it’s not so hard, because 10,000 steps means around an hour and 40 minutes of walking, which seems like too much to do in one go.
“Padel [tennis] It’s my other passion alongside Pilates. It’s the fastest growing sport and I’m totally obsessed. For me, Pilates and yoga go hand in hand because Pilates requires a lot of balance and core strength and really works your obliques. Pilates really pairs well with everything.
“Me and my friends have built an accountability group together on WhatsApp where we post about our workouts and walks, which has really helped keep me on the right track. I’ve also found social ways to feel a bit more active and healthy than always thinking, ‘let’s go for a drink.'”
“It’s good to build habits. For example, I’ll call my assistant and brainstorm while I walk. Or when I’m in the sauna, I put my feet up the wall and really drain the water. I always try to spend my time as efficiently as possible.”
On fuelling your body with food…
“I’m not intentionally doing intermittent fasting, but I usually don’t get hungry until around 10:30 a.m., at which point I’ll make a smoothie bowl with spirulina or a protein shake using Form Nutrition protein powder. It’s so yummy!”
“I use coconut water instead of milk for a natural electrolyte boost and add half an avocado, frozen banana and psyllium husks for fibre. After researching the benefits of creatine I have also been adding it to my shakes for around 6 weeks and have definitely seen a difference. Creatine is great for brain function, energy levels, muscle mass gain and training performance. Some people associate it with bodybuilders and bloating but I have not experienced that at all.”
“My go-to lunch at the office is Atis – a salad of tofu, lettuce, broccoli, cucumber, edamame beans and miso dressing. My focus is to increase my protein and fibre intake.”
“For dinner, I might have fish and veggies, rice, sweet potato, quinoa or pasta. I love pasta, so I always have pasta for my last meal!”
“My favorite dark chocolate is from Hu Kitchen – it’s really tasty. I also love red wine and margaritas – I order them without salt or sugar. I don’t crave refined sugar, but sometimes I’ll make sweet potato brownies or protein balls for a snack. I’ve noticed that increasing my protein intake has really reduced my cravings – it definitely has an immediate effect.”
“Fundamentally, I want foods that nourish and energize my body. I think of it like a mechanical system: you have to take good in to get good out.”
Her nighttime routine is…
“I don’t have kids, so I know this is a super luxurious evening routine! I get home from work around 5 or 6pm and go for a walk while listening to a podcast.
“I love dry brushing and will use a Rains Wellbeing body brush before an Epsom salt bath – I think it’s amazing for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. I make the most of that time by sitting in the bath for at least 20 minutes and doing guided breathing or sound bath classes on an app. Having a sound bath whilst in the bath is honestly the best thing ever.
“Once I get out of the bath, I rub CBD oil all over my body, then dim the lights and light some candles to help me relax even more. For me, it’s key to turn off all technology as soon as possible. I usually go to sleep at 10pm, so if I can be in bed and reading my Kindle by 9.15pm, I feel like I’ve won. I keep my phone out of reach, so when my alarm goes off in the morning, I have to physically get out of bed to turn it off, stopping it from snoozing.”
About beauty treatments for self-care…
“The facials are amazing. I also love the lymphatic drainage massage, which I created with Ruby. Elaine is my favorite therapist. You start with a full body dry brushing, then a customized lymphatic drainage massage using my CBD oil, followed by a deep head, neck and shoulder massage. It’s amazing.”
“I feel great when my hair is fresh, but I hate styling it myself. I’ll go to Fox & Vamp in Chelsea or get an at-home blow dry from a hairstylist like Gabby (@GabrielleHair_), James or Katie via Ruuby. Taking a cold shower on wash day is good for my hair – it makes it super shiny.”
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