The Story Behind Marpole Retreats
We’re often asked: “Why the name Marpole?”
Where did it come from? What does it mean? Well, there’s a whole story behind it, one that begins not in Edinburgh, but across the Atlantic in the breathtaking landscapes of Vancouver, Canada. And we’d love to share it with you!
The Origin Story
Marpole was founded by Marie Fryman—now Marie Ross—during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history: the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Marie was living in Vancouver. Like many, she found herself restless during lockdown. But rather than sit still, she began to dream.
Marie had always known she wanted to build a business. As a child, the dream took the shape of a glamorous international hotel chain (complete with attached casinos, no less). But life—and the awe-inspiring natural beauty of British Columbia—had other plans.
The mountains, forests, and coastlines of Canada sparked a shift in her priorities. The focus moved from glitz and glamour to something deeper: balance, health, and a sense of purpose. It was in this period of change and reflection that the seeds of Marpole were planted.
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A New Philosophy of Wellness
At the heart of Marpole is a belief that wellness isn’t just about what you do in the studio—it’s about how you live your whole life. That belief is beautifully captured in a concept Marie fell in love with during her health coach training: the Wheel of Life.
The Wheel of Life is a simple but powerful idea. It reminds us that true wellbeing comes from balance—not perfection—across all areas of life. Imagine a circle divided into segments: health, career, relationships, finances, creativity, home environment, personal growth, and more. If one part is out of alignment, the whole wheel can start to wobble. But when each part gets a little attention and care, life rolls more smoothly.
You don’t need to be ‘crushing it’ in every area to feel good—but recognising where you’re thriving and where you’re craving support is a key part of moving forward with intention.
This is the foundation of everything we do at Marpole. Yes, we offer classes in movement, breath, and strength—but we also hold space for rest, reflection, creativity, and connection. We’re here to support the whole of you.
And if you’ve visited us before, you’ve probably already seen our beautiful Wheel of Life mural in the reception area. It’s more than just decoration—it’s a daily reminder that wellness is multi-dimensional, and that every part of you matters! People often pause in front of it when they arrive, taking a quiet moment to reflect on where they are and what they need that day. It sets the tone for everything that follows.
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The Retreat Years
Before opening a physical studio, Marpole took shape through immersive wellness retreats held across Canada and even in Mexico. These weren’t your typical yoga weekends. They were full-spectrum experiences, designed to nourish every aspect of the Wheel of Life.
Guests explored workshops on personal growth, creativity, movement, mindfulness and more—all in stunning natural settings. The feedback was glowing. But there was one issue: while powerful, the retreat model wasn’t accessible to everyone. The time commitment and travel made it difficult for many to attend.
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The Shift: Wellness in the Everyday
That realisation—that not everyone could press pause on life for a week-long retreat—sparked an important shift. Marie knew that if wellness was going to be truly transformative, it needed to be accessible. It had to be something people could integrate into their everyday, not just something they did once a year when time and money allowed.
So she brought Marpole home and reimagined it as a permanent space—a wellness hub grounded in the same holistic philosophy, but available to people in a much more flexible, sustainable way. And when we say she built it, we mean it quite literally! Marie and her now husband rolled up their sleeves and renovated the entire studio themselves—from fresh paint to the finishing touches. Every corner of the space carries that personal care, thoughtfulness, and intention.
Whether you're popping in for a one-off class, booking a class pack to fit around your schedule, or becoming a full member with unlimited access, the heart of the experience is the same: thoughtful movement, mindful moments, and a space that gently supports you to feel more grounded, more energised, and more you!
The vision was never just to run a studio—it was to create a space people could return to again and again, building real habits and lasting change in their day-to-day lives.
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More Than a Studio: A True Community
Of course, what truly sets Marpole apart isn’t just the schedule or the space—it’s the feeling. As many of our customers have described in their reviews, from the moment you walk through the door, you’ll notice it: a sense of ease, warmth, and welcome that’s hard to describe but easy to feel.
Yes, we offer Reformer Pilates, yoga, and various events. But beyond that, we offer a space where people can simply be themselves—whether that means working up a sweat, sitting in stillness, having a laugh after class, or quietly reflecting in the corner with a cup of tea.
This is a community where the goal is presence, not perfection! A place where everyone is encouraged to show up exactly as they are, without pressure or pretense. Over time, real friendships have formed here. Stories are shared. People support one another through life’s ups and downs.
At Marpole, you're not just attending a class. You're stepping into a space designed to lift you up—physically, mentally, and emotionally. And no matter what’s going on outside, we want you to leave feeling just a little bit lighter, a little bit stronger, and a whole lot more connected!
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A Little Teaser: The Retreat That Caught Fire
Like any meaningful journey, Marpole’s beginnings weren’t without their unexpected twists. In fact, the very first Marpole retreat is the kind of story that’s become legend around here.
Ask Marie about it and she’ll probably laugh (now). Let’s just say… it didn’t exactly go to plan. The dream was big. The surprises were even bigger. And yes—there was an actual fire.
It was a lesson in resilience, creativity, and staying calm when the universe throws you something wildly off-script. But we’ll save the full story for another day…
Come Say Hi & See For Yourself!
You can find us on Leith Walk,
open every day from 6:30am - 8:30pm.