Kirsten King, Founder of Fluidform
Tell us about you and your company.
I am the founder and owner of Fluidform—a functional movement and wellness method—and am passionate about transforming bodies and minds. What started as my first Pilates studio has evolved into six wellness studios across Sydney and Melbourne, an online fitness and wellness app, Fluidform at Home,* and instructor training program. My approach has always been hands-on, which is reflective of my detailed and personalized approach as a Pilates instructor.
I first found Pilates after a knee injury in my twenties. During the process of rehabilitating my injury with Pilates, I discovered the power of functional movement, and the impact it can have both physically and emotionally. I was working full-time in marketing when I studied for my Pilates qualification and began teaching at a local studio in East Melbourne, before evolving my weekend job into a full-time career when I relocated to the UK. Through my experience in the UK working with sporting teams and professional athletes, I developed an ability to “read” bodies, identify imbalances, and program functional exercises which bring the body back into alignment, building strength and tone and more importantly, confidence. My experience teaching thousands of different bodies has fine-tuned this method—catering to all bodies with proven results to all those who experience Fluidform.
How do you approach staying healthy and relaxed on the road?
Like most things, I keep my approach to health and wellness uncomplicated and balanced. Daily movement comes naturally to me and keeps me feeling grounded—my form of moving meditation when I am travelling for both work and pleasure! I will also walk everywhere I can. Having the extra time to walk while travelling is such a luxury.
Balanced nutrition is essential to feeling your best, and the same rule applies when travelling. I will opt for fresh, local and good quality ingredients where I can, and will eat an abundance of fruit and vegetables. I am not afraid to try anything and everything and enjoy all the deliciousness of travelling!
I’ve more recently discovered lymphatic drainage and the impact this has on reducing inflammation, fluid retention and just stimulating everything—my digestion, metabolism and circulation. When I can’t book a treatment while travelling, I will spend 5-10 minutes gently opening up the lymph nodes and performing a self-sculpting technique which works to drain and release fluids. You start by “pumping the nodes” behind your knees, in your armpits, around your neck and chest. Using a gentle oil, you start to lightly massage in circular motions around these areas, and your body starts to release fluid retention. You will notice physical results immediately!
Do you take any particular supplements prior to traveling or during?
Hydration is a big one for me—I always travel with electrolytes and vitamin C sachets.
Do you do anything special for your skin on a plane?
Hydration, of course, and I will usually pack a sheet mask for long-haul flights. The Estée Lauder is my favorite–it’s so refreshing and moisturizing to combat travel skin.
Do you tend to pack any healthy food or snacks for travel?
I will always bring a few snacks to keep on hand—airport snacks are often double the price with limited nutrient options. Loco Love chocolates are my go-to.
Any strategies for dealing with jet lag?
Gently push through and adapt to the local time. Avoid alcohol or any heavy meals within the first 48 hours and just allow my body to reset. When I can, I schedule my travel plans around this and avoid any major plans within the first two days of arriving somewhere. You cannot appreciate the beauty of travel or take anything in if you’re fighting jet lag!
Do you have any rituals you use while on a trip to reset or ground yourself in a new place?
Fluidform at Home was born out of a need from my studio clients who were travelling. I had built a loyal client base, which was generating a global reputation for rebuilding and transforming bodies. I wanted to be able to share my method with clients around the world, not limited to location. Just 20 minutes of movement keeps me feeling grounded–wherever I am!
What are a few things you always pack for your beauty/wellness routine?
Beauty again is kept simple—for makeup I love the Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation. The Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask is incredible in gently exfoliating the skin, particularly after long travel days or too much time in the sun.
How do you stay fit while traveling?
Like most things, I keep my approach to health and wellness uncomplicated and balanced. Daily movement comes naturally to me and keeps me feeling grounded—my form of moving meditation when I am travelling for both work and pleasure! I will also walk everywhere I can. Having the extra time to walk while travelling is such a luxury.
Do you pack any specific tools for exercise on the road?
My Fluidform Equipment Pack comes everywhere with me. It weighs nothing and has everything I need to activate and work my lower body, glutes, core and upper body. It’s also great for stretching after big walking days. A small ball, a pair of discs (small, circular gliders which add cardio to your workouts by increasing the pace and fluidity of your movements), and a few bands—it’s all I need!
Can you recommend a good hotel room workout?
I’m biased, but nothing beats 20 minutes of Fluidform at Home. I will Chromecast my app to my hotel room and just do a quick targeted workout. If I have time, I will layer an abs workout with a legs workout for more of a total body workout. Some of my favourite Fluidform fundamental movements to do while I am travelling include:
Layered chest lift series
– Chest lifts over the small ball to engage the deep abdominals
– Chest lifts with leg extension to increase the connection in your abdominals and release tightness in your hips
– Oblique chest lifts (shoulder to opposite knee) to engage the obliques and add rotation (rotation is particular important for your digestive system, which is often compromised while travelling)
Repeat each movement 12 times, and repeat the set a total of 3 times.
Standing lunge series
– Coming into a lunge position, start with lifting and lowering your chest from an upright position down towards your front knee. Maintain a neutral spine position with your tailbone slightly lifted, shoulders back and down with a long line from the top of your head to your back heel.
– Maintaining a strong and stable front bent leg, start to move your back leg in and out, tapping your toe in line with your front foot before extending back out. Maintain the long line position of your spine. Start to increase the pace.
– Add your arms to this movement, extending your arms above your head as your back leg extends, before pulling them down beside you as your back leg steps forward. Building pace as you find your balance.
Repeat each movement 12 times on each side, and repeat the set a total of 3 times.
What are a few of your favorite wellness destinations and why?
In Sydney, it’s Capella. We recently partnered with Capella Sydney to bring to life a Season Of Wellness campaign, integrating exclusive Fluidform at Home workouts into all 192 guestrooms and curating an in-room dining wellness menu. I also designed a bespoke Rebalance Spa Treatment. It’s a wellness oasis in the middle of the city—their attention to detail and level of luxury is unmatched in Australia.
We hosted a Pilates & Wellness Retreat at Six Senses in Fiji last year, and the wellness experience there takes you on a journey. They take a sustainable and Ayurvedic approach to health and wellness, integrating ancient remedies and ingredients into each treatment with age-defying properties. A transformative experience!
The Integrative Medicine Treatments at Soneva Jani in the Maldives was an all-encompassing sensory experience. Starting with an initial consultation, the treatments are tailored to you—combining Ayurvedic massage with medicated oils, lymphatic flows to stimulate and detox the immune system and traditional detoxifying methods to cleanse the body and mind using mild purgation with ayurvedic herbs.
Where are you dreaming of going next and why?
I am dreaming of taking my family to Japan! Otherwise, taking Fluidform at Home on the road to special locations (to bring these locations to our members in their living room). A few on the vision board are Satellite Island in Tasmania, Lord Howe Island, and New Zealand.
What is the best way for people to find you?
I’ve stepped away from teaching in recent years to focus and drive the growth of Fluidform at Home and Fluidform Training. But teaching is still both a creative and intellectual outlet for me—I love working with clients to identify imbalances in their body and helping them to rebalance and move with confidence. During the holidays, I become the “cover girl” for when people go away, so you will often find me at Fluidform Clovelly on a Saturday morning doing what I love most—teaching! It’s my own little sanctuary; clients often refer to it as their “second home.”
*YOLO Journal subscribers can use the FF-YOLO discount code for 20% off annual subscriptions. Enter code at checkout to redeem. (First time members also get a complimentary equipment pack—including a small ball, a set of resistance bands and a pair of discs—shipped worldwide.)
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