What will Pilates do for me?
- Significantly improve your posture, balance, flexibility and quality of movement.
- Work all the muscle groups of your body – strengthen, lengthen, tone – increase the flexibility of your spine – bring your body into balance.
- Give your body a full workout that simultaneously revitalises your mind and the way you feel.
- A heightened awareness of how you move and use your own body on an everyday basis.
- A fitter, stronger body, more supple spine – capable of performing everyday functional movements with ease.
- Enhance your sporting activities, improve fitness, enhance technique.
- Safely continue rehabilitation after injury or pre/post surgery – recommended by doctors, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals.
What is the Pilates Method?
- A unique method of physical and mental conditioning, devised by Joseph Pilates in the early1920s – a genius ahead of his time, it spearheaded a revolution in the philosophy and practice of fitness and exercise techniques.
- Structured sequences of exercises performed in progressive patterns of movement.
- Establishment of good postural alignment throughout the whole body.
- Controlled movement from a strong centre/core.
- Concentration and precision.
- Synchronisation of breath and movement.
- A seamless flow of one exercise into the next.
How can I learn Pilates?
- Mat classes
- Working with studio equipment
- Private tuition
What is the difference between matwork and studio work?
You will find group mat classes of varying abilities and levels where a range of exercises is performed on a mat. This will suit many people but:
- If you would like to improve your technique generally – or you are finding difficulty with a particular exercise – the specialised studio apparatus provides you with additional support and stability, enabling you to practise the same exercise more easily and improving your confidence when you perform matwork.
- If you are looking for something different – a new, exciting way of getting fit. the Reformer, Cadillac, Combo Chair, Arc Barrel, etc will challenge you as you progress through a fascinating repertoire of exercises.
- If you need post-rehabilitation work after injury or surgery, the studio equipment offers continuing, safe progress.
What are the advantages of 1-1 tuition?
- The ideal way to learn Pilates – it’s complex, subtle, specific
- Your teacher’s undivided attention with plenty of opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, stop and repeat a movement again.
- Time to understand what you are trying to achieve with each exercise and the reasons for doing it in that particular way – so that you develop good technique.
- If you haven’t exercised for a while, it safely enables you to progress at your own pace, from gentle familiarity to the next level.
- Sportspeople will find Pilates gives their body a more balanced workout and enhances their performance.
How do I find a good teacher?
Look for a highly qualified and experienced teacher (12 months intensive training), with a great reputation, who can communicate their passion for Pilates to you and provide skilled support and encouragement.
Working with specialised studio equipment requires a further teaching qualification and you may need specialised training, e.g. rehabilitation, osteoporosis, pre/post pregnancy.
Group mat classes should be closely supervised and numbers limited to 10.
Personal recommendation is often the best way to find a good teacher. However there are also reputable on-line associations.