In our second installment of the work-life balance series in Dubai, we have a conversation with Rashmi Samararatne, a certified pilates instructor working at the Real Pilates Fitness Centre with 3 branches, that is, at JLT, in Jumeirah, and at Meydan.
Rashmi holds a STOTT PILATES® certification, equipping her with a strong foundation in precision-based movement, injury-aware training, and evidence-based Pilates principles that support both strength and long-term wellbeing.
Before switching to pilates, she worked in corporate marketing, where she was an executive with an undergraduate degree in International Business Management.
As a Pilates instructor supporting others in their wellness journeys, how do you personally maintain your own work–life balance?
It’s tough. People assume that because I’m in the fitness industry, it must mean that I’m working out a lot (which, for some people in this industry, it’s true), but I rarely carve time out for myself to move my body.
It’s something I’ve struggled with: the place people go for their workouts is my place of work, so I don’t want to be at my job longer than I need to.
So for me, work-life balance is a bit different. I prefer to switch off, go to a cafe or the beach, and sit with a matcha (I know, very stereotypical Pilates girl) and read.
I’m generally more introverted, but my job is very extroverted, so I love to do things that recharge me without social interaction.
I’ve found that fresh air and a good book are always key. Nutrition is also important to me. I love eating good food, and just going out to a favourite restaurant after a long week of teaching also hits the spot.
But there are days where work-life balance is watching 3 episodes of Gilmore Girls on the couch with some takeout after a long day, and I think that’s absolutely fine 😂
What daily rituals or movement practices help you stay centered and energized before or after teaching sessions?
I’m an early bird, so I think my biggest daily ritual that keeps me energised is going to bed early, which again doesn’t always work because I do teach late evening classes, but I try my best to be in bed before 10 pm.
Again, nutrition. Whole foods, prioritising fiber and protein in my meals, are essential. Staying hydrated, I love water. I know it sounds like wellness industry propaganda, but I’ve dealt with and am still healing from pre-diabetes and insulin resistance, and my diet changes are what have made the biggest difference in my feeling better, so I stand by nourishing my body.
That doesn’t mean I don’t love a good greasy pizza or a juicy burger; it just means I’m mindful of where I get them. I don’t have any restrictions on myself, but most of the time I’m very conscious of eating a well-rounded diet.
And finally, stretching. Super important. My job has me standing up, assisting people, demonstrating, and moving around a lot without actually working out, which takes a huge toll on my body. So stretching each morning and starting my day with 50 jumping jacks to get the blood pumping is essential.
How do you manage the physical demands of teaching multiple classes while still protecting your body and personal time?
Knowing not to overstuff my schedule, I learned how to say no very early in my career.
The no applies to anything from taking on extra cover classes when I’m already super busy to declining social invites to recharge my battery.
The latter, I feel, is very dependent on each person’s character. I recharge alone, so I need space, but I have colleagues who are more social, and they enjoy group activities to recharge, which is great too. It’s very ‘to each their own’.
While I rarely take myself to a class or the gym, I’m still very diligent about hitting my 10k steps a day, and I try to do a little mat workout at least twice (if not more) a week. It just helps keep my strength up.
Also, stretching. Very, very important. I also emphasise it during my classes.
I also go for a stretch class once every two weeks, just to really get in there. I have to shout out Dr. Stretch, which is one of my favourite places to go when I’m feeling particularly tired or tense.
Has working in Dubai’s dynamic fitness and wellness scene influenced your approach to balance or self-care?
Not really. I grew up playing sports so I was always juggling a lot. So I’ve always been a part of fitness and wellness in some capacity.
What boundaries do you set between your teaching schedule and your personal life to avoid burnout?
I try to do anything work-related at work.
So if I’ve got any class planning to do or any work-related admin, I choose to do it at the studio.
It’s a lot easier not take work home in this job than when I used to work corporate, so I’m very grateful for it.
I’m also very mindful of my monthly schedule again. If I know I’ve got a lot of group sessions, I cut back on my availability for 1-1s.
How do you mentally reset after a busy day of classes or one-on-one sessions?
Glass of wine, takeout from either Pitfire Pizza or Flavour Fields (my two favourites for delivery) and an episode or two of Gilmore Girls. And then I go to bed.
If I’m home after 8:30pm, then it’s usually a warm shower, electrolytes, and straight to bed.
I have bigger meals for breakfast and lunch, so dinner is light and one I’d skip if it meant I could get to bed sooner.
I really prioritise sleep, and I try to avoid eating just before bed.
What role does community – either at RealPilates or outside of work – play in helping you maintain balance?
A huge role. I’m extremely fortunate to work for a brand that has a kind and supportive community. From my colleagues to our clients, it’s a very caring community.
Most of my adult friendships have blossomed from within the community that RealPilates fosters and I’m very grateful for it.
If we discuss just from a team perspective, it’s tough for a fitness studio to build a team of collaborative individuals as the fitness industry has been built on freelance work.
Rarely do you find that a studio has full-time or exclusive employees. Trainers usually work at multiple studios. At RealPilates, we’re exclusive to the studio, so we’ve all got a sense of belonging. We get a ton of benefits that support our constant growth as instructors, and there is a lot of emphasis on working together as a team.
This has created a very collaborative environment, not only among instructors but also with our management.
A lot more studios are adopting the idea of making trainers exclusive, but I feel that RealPilates really does do it best.
I’m personally very fulfilled. This has made the environment very collaborative, not only between instructors but also with our management.
Related: Slowing Down in a Fast City: A 9D Breathwork Facilitator on Wellness and Balance in Dubai
Can you share a moment when you felt your work–life balance shift and what you did to recalibrate?
It was very, very early in switching to a full-time instructor, and I took on too many classes and didn’t have any days off.
That really sent me into a spiral because I was physically and mentally exhausted. I’m a lot more careful with my schedule.
I honestly just learned the hard way that doing 8 hours of classes a day, 6-7 days a week, is not the same as sitting at a desk and working the same amount of time. Your body will be just as exhausted as your mind, and you’ll break.
I think burnout in corporate is very mental; it starts there and trickles down, whereas in fitness, the mental and physical burnout come together. While my work now is much more fun than when I worked in marketing, it’s extremely physically demanding.
I’m now just mindful of how I distribute my weekly time and I take at least one day off a week, if not two.
How do you encourage clients to find balance beyond physical fitness – through habits, mindset, or lifestyle choices?
Honestly, sharing my own struggles with my mental and physical health. I try to listen to them when they need someone to just talk to, share whatever resources have helped me, and constantly approach every class with uplifting energy.
I feel that when someone walks into our studio, they want to spend their next 50 minutes just present without worrying about anything outside our studio doors, and so I do my best to leave whatever I might be going through out that door and give all my energy to my clients and try to have them leave the room uplifted and sweaty 😂
What advice would you give to professionals in Dubai who struggle to integrate movement and wellness into their busy lives?
You don’t have to do a workout class or go to the gym.
Play your favourite tune and dance around your apartment as you’re making dinner or cleaning up. Walk around the pitch while your kids are at football or rugby.
Get a walking pad if you work from home, and a standing desk, and get some steps in.
Get out of bed in the morning and just jump up and down fifty times; chances are you’ll start your day giggling because it’s fun and silly, but it also improves your blood and lymphatic circulation, and it literally will take you less than 2 minutes.
Eat some good food! Something well-made, even if it’s a burger, our relationship with food makes a huge difference to our mental health. Invest in figuring out what that looks like for you.
The fitness industry tries to make us all feel like we need to be an ideal shape & size, and that doesn’t exist. We’re human, and we’re all beautifully unique.
Little things go a long way, so don’t feel pressured to do crazy workouts, run marathons, or do a hyrox just because everyone else is.
Find something you enjoy that helps you raise your heart rate a little, and go do it.
