- MEN'S PILATES · LONDON COLNEY, ST ALBANS -

Pilates built by a man, for men who need it to actually work.

Teejay Sogunro has been a competitive squash player for over 35 years. He represents England at international Masters level, ranked in the world's top 32. He also spent 10 years as a patient with chronic back injuries before building Applied Pilates specifically around what was missing from every other approach he tried. The Sogunro Practice in London Colney is the result. Ample free parking on site.  Free Parking & Directions →

England Over-60s squash representative

STOTT Pilates® certified

Watford FC rehab therapist 2015–18

25 years professional · 35 years' experience

Free parking · M25 J22

£85 Movement assessment Where every male client starts — 60 mins, no generic class plan

Top 32 World ranked at 60+  Teejay competes internationally himself — the same principles apply here

Max 7 Clients per session  - Not a class. A clinical programme with personal attention every session

"Isn't Pilates just for women?" Pilates was invented by a man and at The Sogunro Practice, it's led by one who competes at world level. The question is whether it gets results. It does.

  Teejay's Story

- WHY IT WORKS FOR MEN -

The things most men's training misses completely

Most men's training builds strength in the muscles they can see — chest, biceps, quads. As a result, the deep stabilising muscles of the core, hips and spine are routinely undertrained. However, these are exactly the muscles that protect against injury, support heavy compound lifts, and determine whether the body holds up over decades of sport, work and daily activity.

In particular, men who play sport regularly — golf, tennis, padel, badminton, squash, hockey, netball, CrossFit, HYROX — carry specific muscular imbalances driven by the repetitive demands of their sport. Because of this, the same pattern of facet joint bruising, sciatic nerve impingement, and glute and QL trigger point pain keeps returning, regardless of how much physio or rest they have.

"I spent 10 years seeing chiropractors, physiotherapists, osteopaths and orthopaedic specialists. None of them ever explained why it kept happening. That's why I built this."

Applied Pilates addresses both — strength and the underlying movement pattern causing the injury. Therefore, the results last rather than requiring repeated treatment cycles.

Sports injury rehabilitation →

Six reasons men come to The Sogunro Practice

Each injury requires a different rehabilitation sequence — which is why a thorough assessment matters before any treatment plan begins.

01
Chronic back pain that keeps returning - 
The most common reason. Usually driven by facet joint bruising, a pars defect, or sciatic impingement — all specifically treatable, not just manageable.

02
A sports injury that hasn't fully resolved  - 
Pain-free is not the same as match-ready. Returning to sport before strength, control and confidence are rebuilt is the most common cause of re-injury.

03
Performance plateau in the gym or on the court  - 
Deep core instability limits how heavy you can lift and how efficiently you move. Applied Pilates specifically addresses the stabilisers that compound training misses.

04
Post-surgery rehabilitation - 
After orthopaedic or spinal surgery, returning to strength requires precision — not a generic gym programme.

05
Desk-driven posture and neck pain - 
Hours at a screen gradually weaken postural muscles and tighten the chest and upper traps, creating a cycle that massage alone cannot break.

06
Staying active and strong as you get older - 
Muscle mass, bone density and balance all decline without deliberate training. Applied Pilates delivers all three, whatever age you start.

- SPORT-SPECIFIC INJURIES -

The four injuries that keep bringing sportsmen back

These are the specific injury patterns Teejay has treated across 25 years — particularly prevalent in golf, tennis, badminton, padel, squash, hockey, CrossFit and HYROX.

SPINAL
Facet joint capsule bruising
Impact or sudden rotation in sport — frequently sending the back into protective spasm. Often misdiagnosed as a disc problem. 
Facet Joint page →

SPINAL
Pars defect
A stress fracture from repeated hyperextension — common in fast bowlers, squash players and gymnasts. Requires specific, safe loading rather than rest alone.

NERVE
Sciatic nerve impingement
Often a direct sports injury rather than degenerative — the distinction matters significantly for how it's treated.
Sciatica page → 

SOFT TISSUE
Glute & QL trigger points
Extremely common in racket sports and running. Frequently drives back, hip and referred leg pain that mimics more serious conditions.

ℹ Golf, tennis, badminton, padel, squash, hockey, CrossFit and HYROX all involve repeated rotation, sudden directional change, or high spinal load - exactly the movement patterns that drive these four injury types. If you play any of these sports and have recurring back, hip or leg pain, it is worth getting it assessed specifically rather than managing symptoms.

- NOT THEORETICAL ADVICE -

Built by someone competing at the same level

Teejay doesn't prescribe exercise he hasn't tested on himself. At over 60, he is still competing internationally in squash — ranked in the world's top 32. The same principles that keep him on court are exactly what he builds into every client's programme.


PROFESSIONAL & PERFORMANCE BACKGROUND

England Over-60s International Squash  Representative, 2024

Between 2015 and 2018, Teejay worked as Rehab Pilates Sports Therapist for Watford Football Club's Premier League first team, junior players and match officials. The same Applied Pilates and rehabilitation methods used at the club continue to be used with every client at The Sogunro Practice in St Albans — regardless of level.

Top 32

World ranking Over-60s Masters Squash 2024

Watford FC 

Rehab Pilates Sports Therapist 2015-2018

England

Representative Over-60s Masters Squash Team

25+

Professional Clinical Practice - 35 years personal experience

- CLIENT RESULTS -

What male clients say

★★★★★ Google Reviews · London Colney, St Albans · 4.9 from 117 reviews

★★★★★

BACK PAIN · PRO GOLFER

"Back pain started for me about 4 years ago. I have played most of my career with injuries but my back stopped me completely. In the 4 years since, I visited all manner of healers, surgeons, physios and chiros with varying degrees of benefit. Nothing has made my back feel pain free and athletic again. It has only been a couple of weeks but it has changed my outlook completely."

ANDREW RAITT · PRO GOLFER

★★★★★ 

BACK PAIN · 8 MONTHS

"I was a very tired and desperate 51 year old whose long-term back problems had led to a cessation of my active sporting life. Physiotherapy, acupuncture and steroid injections had provided only temporary relief. Fast forward 8 months and I am swimming, cycling and managing to work unimpeded. My core strength has improved dramatically."

NIGEL WOODHEAD · CARPET CLEANER

★★★★★

SPORTS INJURY · ACL RUPTURE

"I came to Teejay a few months after I ruptured my ACL. From day one he was super positive while being conscious of my body's limits. He is super knowledgeable about sports injuries, has a fantastic array of equipment, and a brilliant attitude. Because of his help I skied twice with my ruptured ACL and am now playing golf and football again."

JON ISAACS · FINANCE DIRECTOR

★★★★★

10+ YEARS · SPORTS INJURY

"My wife and I have been clients of Teejay for well over a decade. I have no hesitation recommending him for diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention of sports injuries. Playing sport to international level, Teejay has helped me overcome issues and extended my playing career."

GREGORY TAYLOR · FINANCE DIRECTOR

Teejay - England squash masters O60s Team Member 2024
Teejay - England squash masters O60s Team Member 2024Planks.jpeg
Teejay - England squash masters O60s Team Member 2024
Teeja-Applied-Pilates-Long-Stretch-Planks.jpeg
MEN'S PILATES · LONDON COLNEY, ST ALBANS

- GETTING STARTED -

Three steps to lasting results

Every client begins the same way — an honest assessment of what's actually going on. No generic class. No assumptions based on age or fitness level.

01

Movement Assessment

£85

60 min 1-to-1 with Teejay. He assesses your strength, movement quality and any specific injuries — then gives you a clear, honest plan before any commitment.

Book Assessment→

02

Osteolates + 1-to-1

from £65 + £86/session

Personalised sessions on the full STOTT apparatus, built around your specific injury history, sport demands and goals. Not a class. A programme.

View Prices →

03

Small Group Membership 

from £129/month

Once foundation strength is built, small group membership maintains it long term. Maximum 7 clients. No lock-in. Still personal attention every session.

View timetable→

Call Teejay directly

- WHY TRUST TEEJAY SOGUNRO -

 England Over-60s Squash Representative World Ranking Top 32 · 2024  Rehab Pilates Sports Therapist — Watford FC, 2015–2018  STOTT PILATES® Full Comprehensive Certified ✓ Qualified Sports Therapist  Studied BSc (Hons) Osteopathy — Middlesex University ✓ 25 years professional · 35 years' experience

View full credentials and professional background→  Video about Back Pain & Pilates→

- RELATED PAGES AND INFORMATION -

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SPORTS INJURY
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Facet joint bruising, pars defect, sciatic impingement and trigger points — the four injuries most common in sportsmen.

Sports injury page →

⚙️
EXERCISE METHOD
Reformer & apparatus
Full STOTT Pilates apparatus studio - Reformer, Cadillac, Chair. Precisely adjustable load for clinical results.

Apparatus studio →

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BACK PAIN HUB
Back Pain St Albans
All MSK conditions and treatment approaches at The Sogunro Practice.


All conditions →

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PRICING
From £85 assessment
Assessment £85. Osteolates from £65. 1-to-1 from £95. Group membership from £129/mo.

All prices →

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POST-SURGERY
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
Returning to full strength after orthopaedic or spinal surgery — precision-loaded rehabilitation.


Post-surgery rehab →

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LOCATION
London Colney, St Albans
Free parking. Unit 5, Hertfordshire Business Centre, AL2 1JG. 2 min M25 J22

Directions & map →

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TREATMENT METHOD
Osteolates Therapy
Soft tissue treatment alongside Applied Pilates for the full recovery picture. From £65.


Osteolates Therapy →

- COMMON QUESTIONS -

Questions about Men's Applied Pilates

Is Pilates actually effective for men, or is it mainly a women's exercise? Pilates was invented by a man — Joseph Pilates — and originally used to rehabilitate male soldiers during World War I. The association with women is a marketing phenomenon, not a clinical one. Men's Health Australia, the Guardian, the BBC and BoxLife Magazine have all recently covered the shift toward men using Pilates specifically for joint health, injury rehabilitation and performance longevity. At The Sogunro Practice, the instructor is a male England international squash competitor ranked in the world's top 32 at over 60.

Will it make me weaker or less muscular? Applied Pilates builds the deep stabilising muscles that most gym training misses — the core, hip stabilisers and spinal stabilisers. In practice, most male clients find their gym performance improves because their foundation is stronger. It does not replace heavy resistance training for hypertrophy, but it makes everything else more effective and significantly reduces injury risk.

I play golf / tennis / squash / padel regularly. How does this help? These sports all involve repeated rotation and high spinal load, which is exactly what drives the four injury patterns treated here — facet joint capsule bruising, pars defect, sciatic nerve impingement, and glute and QL trigger points. Applied Pilates identifies the specific muscular imbalances your sport is creating and corrects them, rather than just treating the symptoms after each flare-up. Sports injury rehabilitation page →

What makes this different from a group reformer Pilates studio? The Guardian and BBC have both recently reported on the problems with large group reformer studios — poor regulation, under-qualified instructors, no individual assessment. At The Sogunro Practice, every client starts with a 60-minute 1-to-1 assessment before any exercise is prescribed. Sessions are capped at a maximum of 7 clients, and Teejay holds STOTT PILATES® Full Comprehensive and Rehabilitation certification. There is no such thing as a generic class plan here.

How much does Men's Applied Pilates cost in St Albans? All new clients start with the £85 movement assessment. After that, 1-to-1 sessions are from £95, Osteolates Therapy from £65, small group from £32 pay-as-you-go, and monthly membership from £129. Full prices and membership options →

Where is the studio | practice and is there parking? The Applied Pilates Centre. Unit 5, Hertfordshire Business Centre, Alexander Road, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1JG. Ample free parking on site. 2 minutes from M25 junction 22. 10 minutes from St Albans, Brick Wood, How Wood, Radlett, Chiswell Green, North London and Hatfield. Map and directions→

- READY TO FIND OUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY MISSING? -

Start with the £85 assessment.

60 minutes. 1-to-1 with Teejay. A clear, honest picture of what's driving your pain or limiting your performance — and a plan that actually addresses it. Ample free parking on site.  Free Parking & Directions

Call Teejay directly

 07734 578959

 info@thesogunropractice.co.uk

The Sogunro Practice · Applied Pilates & Osteolates Therapy, London Colney · St Albans · Hertfordshire · Free parking on site

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