Reni

Trainer – St James’s City 

• QUALIFICATIONS

  • Stott and Classic Mat/Reformer Pilates
  • Yoga Vinyasa

• BIO

  Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Reni Jacob Kwembo now lives and works in the United Kingdom with his wife and two children. With a lifelong passion for movement and wellbeing, he brings a wealth of international teaching experience and a calm, holistic approach to every class.

  Reni is qualified in both STOTT Pilates and Classical Pilates for Mat and Reformer, alongside a range of complementary mind-body disciplines. He began his training at the Alison Caroline Institute (ACI) in Kenya, where he completed his Classical Pilates Mat, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and ITEC qualifications. He then advanced his Reformer training through intensive courses at Boston Pilates in Massachusetts, USA, before completing his STOTT Mat and Reformer qualifications at YMCA KX in London. Most recently, he further refined his Reformer teaching through Ten Health & Fitness.

  Throughout his career, Reni has taught corporate and studio classes internationally across Kenya, Tanzania, France and the United Kingdom. He is recognised as one of the early advocates of Pilates in East Africa, playing an important role in introducing the discipline to the region while mentoring and developing Pilates teachers both locally and internationally.

  Reni’s journey into movement began at the age of three, when he was raised in a Buddhist centre. The disciplined environment and emphasis on physical and mental wellbeing introduced him to a variety of movement practices, including Pilates. Inspired by the positive impact these practices had on both body and mind, he dedicated himself to mastering and sharing them with others.

  Specialising in Reformer Pilates, Reni also teaches Pilates Matwork, yoga, meditation and a variety of martial arts. His teaching style is calm, supportive and mindful, creating a welcoming environment where clients feel both challenged and at ease. With a touch of humour woven into every class, he aims to help clients move with confidence, improve their wellbeing and leave each session feeling stronger, more balanced and eager to return.

  Outside the studio, Reni enjoys spending time in nature, reading, travelling and exploring new cultures. His favourite Reformer exercise is the Dumb Waiter, as he loves seeing the immediate improvements it brings to posture, shoulder alignment, mobility and comfort. As he often says, “Once we’ve finished the Dumb Waiter, it has truly served its purpose shoulders are more aligned, more stable, more mobile and pain-free.”