PILATES
Change happens through movement and movement heals
Joseph Pilates
The benefits of Pilates, therefore, are amazing!
You will learn how to recognise and release areas of unwanted tension, which cause pain and joint immobility.
1. Reduced incidence of spinal pain
2. Improved flexibility
3. Greater strength and muscle tone
4. Improved posture
5. Greater joint mobility
6. Lowered stress levels
Overall, a body which works as nature intended!
GOALS
Concentration
Joseph Pilates (the founder of Pilates) stated that 'It is the mind itself which builds the body'. Pilates is a mental and physical conditioning program which aims to train both mind and body.
This mind-body connection then continues away from the mat changes everyday activities and movements. Concentration on movements allows the mind to rest and switch off from the stresses of everyday life and thoughts
Alignment
You will develop ways to improve your posture by using the deep postural muscles correctly.
Breathing
You will learn how to breathe appropriately to encourage the correct muscle engagement. This is very important in Pilates. Diaphragmatic breathing has many benefits that can affect your entire body. It’s the basis for many meditation and relaxation techniques, which can lower your stress levels, lower your blood pressure, and regulate other critical bodily processes.
Stability or 'Centering'
The exercises will help you create a 'corset of strength' around your spine. This is vital to protect your back against the stresses and strains of day-to-day life (i.e. lifting and bending).
Co-ordination
Once we have established the basics, we add co-ordinated movement with the arms and legs. By using repetitive movements and increasing the load and resistance, Pilates will help you change the way you move and start to use all the correct muscles, moving on to more complex movements.
Flowing Movements
Pilates exercises are generally slow, precise and always flowing movement. It is so much harder to do an exercise slowly and with control than to rush through it and use the wrong muscles. Ultimately returning to all activities and enhanced performance
Stamina
Once all the above challenges are met, Pilates will then aim to build endurance in our key muscles. As you get more proficient at the exercises and your muscles start to work the way nature intended, you will discover that your overall stamina will improve drastically. You will no longer be wasting energy by holding onto unnecessary tension or moving inefficiently.
Reformer 1:1 Sessions
The Reformer is a machine designed to promote length, strength, flexibility, and balance, incorporating Pilates movements and principles. Springs add resistance and build muscle strength, a moving carriage challenges balances and core stability, body weight and leverage add load to target endurance, fitness and coordination.
Sessions can be targeted especially for areas of the body, conditions or injuries. It is increasingly used for rehab and performance in enhancement for elite sport. The Men's England Football team took 4 reformers to the EURO football tournament in 2024.
Individual customisation of rehabilitation programmes to include a Reformer Pilates session can be used to address specific rehabilitation goals.
GRoup Classes
Physiotherapy-led Pilates sessions with safe modifications, focused on movements to build strength, posture, mobility and function in everyday life. Evidence-based education and wellbeing information for participants to learn and build positive habits for life.
All our participants undergo assessment at an introductory session prior to commencing classes to ensure suitability and also to teach the basic Pilates positions and exercises.
In person classes are in a warm, welcoming inclusive environment, to allow participants to feel safe and supportive to move , strengthen and mobilise. Classes are specific to each group and class and modifications provided to allow participation and progress. Anyone is welcome, ability or level is catered for.
ONLINE LIBRARY
Invest in yourself every day, starting today!!
Find time to do some movement every day and feel the benefit
Extensive Library of Pilates sessions to suit any day, time allowance and mood. Choose from Programmes suggested select from the library.
Fundamentals of Pilates
Beginner back to Life series
Equipment
Strengthen and Empower
Therapy that mobilises you
Pregnancy
Coming soon.
Looking after
yourself
Please do not exercise if you are feeling unwell or have just eaten a heavy meal.
If your medical status (or any medical conditions) changes in any way from your initial assessment, it is your responsibility to inform your class instructor. It is important that in the class environment, you exercise and progress at your own safe pace. It is better to do a few exercises well than more exercises poorly, therefore putting yourself at risk of injury. If while doing any of the exercises you feel uncomfortable or unsure as to what to do, stop, advise the instructor and wait until he/she is available to come around and check the exercise with you. Remember it is always advisable to consult your GP prior to taking up any form of new exercise.
Missed in person classes cannot be refunded , a recorded option is available but can sometimes be made up within a block at an alternative class. You will need to check with the instructor that there is space.
Classes do need a minimum number of participants to be viable and consequently, with your agreement, we may need to move bookings to a later block.
The Health Questionnaire is needed before your first session please download your copy to complete. If you would prefer us to send you a printed copy then please let us know. Alternatively we can email a word document so that you can complete this and email it back