This Galentine's Day 2026, we wanted to do something a little special. In a world of endless scrolling, constant comparison and unrealistic expectations, it felt like the perfect opportunity to pause and celebrate not only the women around us, but ourselves too.
So, we brought together a few of our favourite things: Pilates on the beach, meaningful conversations and a reminder to give ourselves the same love and encouragement we so freely give to everyone else. I brought the writing prompts, self-care goodies, pens and a Pilates class with plenty of pulses, while everyone else brought the beautiful energy and good vibes.
Starting the Day with Pilates on the Beach
We began the morning with a feel-good mat Pilates class on Kite Beach, moving, stretching and soaking up the Dubai sunshine together. Breathing is a huge part of my classes - it's one of the Pilates foundations for a reason. Getting settled into the space, letting go of any stress and simply releasing tension genuinely sets the intention for the rest of the class.
This class was designed to help everyone slow down, reconnect with their bodies and enjoy moving without pressure. Like all of my Pilates classes, this was for all levels, meaning there were plenty of modifications for those who were new, while still adding progressions for the girlies who wanted something a little extra. Regardless of the level, I ALWAYS incorporate a little bit of burn (usually from the classical repertoire) because nothing brings people together quite like collectively discovering that the instructor has added "the hundreds."
Celebrating Self-Love and Female Friendship
After Beach Pilates, I asked everyone to write an affirmation down that they would like another woman to hear. On heart sticky notes, the girls wrote down a gorgeous, uplifting affirmation. Because female-friendships are worth pouring into. The morning wasn't about grand gestures or having everything figured out. It was about creating space to move, reflect and spend time with a supportive community of women.
A Little Love Letter to Ourselves
The main event - I brought along a writing prompt delivered in a pink envelope with a golden sticker, pink pen, and pink eye masks, because we don't play when it comes to the whimsy! And stuck on the front? Our affirmations to each other.
This was a real opportunity to pause and reflect on how far we've come, what we're proud of and what we want to remind ourselves of moving forward. We're often so quick to celebrate our friends but forget to speak to ourselves with the same kindness. This activity was our little reminder to change that and the girls loved it.
This class was more than getting together on the beach, it was about celebrating the ladies in our lives including the person we see when we look in the mirror. There was Pilates, sunshine, self-care and lots of lovely conversations: the kind of Galentine's day date we'd happily choose every year.
We're often so quick to celebrate our friends but forget to speak to ourselves with the same kindness.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the morning so special. We hope you left feeling stronger, supported and with a letter full of kind words from someone who knows you better than anyone: you.
Join Our Next Beach Pilates Event in Dubai
If you missed our Galentine's Day Pilates event, then don't worry, there will be plenty more opportunities to join us on the mat.
Take a look at our upcoming Beach Pilates Dubai events or follow us on Instagram at @beachpilatesdubai for new classes, community mornings and more reasons to move, connect and stay for coffee.
