What is Pilates? 

 

Pilates is a precise and controlled approach to exercise and body conditioning. It is designed to give you a leaner, suppler, stronger body and a calmer, more relaxed state of mind.

 

A low impact form of MINDFUL movement, Pilates is designed to:

 

• Develop core strength and spinal and pelvic stability for a strong and pain-free back

• Improve joint mobility and overall flexibility

• Elongate and stretch the body

• Improve posture and re-balance the body

• Enhance sports performance and reduce the risk of injury

• Build strength, improve stamina and boost energy

• Condition, tone and sculpt the body

 

It is worth noting that Pilates is so much more than just an exercise class or system.  It is truly a journey of self- awareness and understanding of your own body, learning how it is today and progressively building knowledge and establishing new, good movement patterns to improve and strengthen it.  Pilates classes are based on key principles (below).  Our goal in attending class is that these principles and all we have learnt carry over into our everyday life as grace, economy and freedom of movement.  Quite simply, Pilates is an investment in your body, not just for today but for the rest of your life!

 

Who is Pilates for?

 

Pilates is for men and women of all ages and all levels of ability.

 

You may not have exercised in a number of years but wish to return to fitness and freedom of movement. You may be an athlete or sports enthusiast aiming to harness the benefits of cross training to enhance your sporting performance. You may have a hectic work or home schedule and need time out to yourself to re-energise your body and mind.  You may have a specific goal you wish to achieve, perhaps to develop core strength, to be more flexible, to get back into shape, to reduce, even eliminate back or neck pain.  Maybe you simply wish to care for your body, learn to move well, look good and feel great!

 

Pilates recognises that no two bodies are the same; we all have different levels of fitness and individual needs, some may have pain issues or restricted movement whilst others are very flexible and are pain-free.  In class, we take account of your unique body and its requirements by making modifications to movements so that each particular exercise suits you and your level on any given day.

 

How often should I do Pilates?

 

The minimum is once a week, the ideal is 3 to 4 times each week.  With our schedules today, it isn't always possible to attend class this regularly.  However, by attending class at least once a week, more if you can, you will become more familiar with the pilates technique, principles and exercises and you should be able to complete movements in your own time at home, even for a 10 minute duration.  A point to bear in mind is that the benefit of doing pilates classes twice a week or more is exponential!

 

What do I need for Pilates?

 

All you require is a good, thick mat.  We do not wear shoes in class.  Some people prefer to go barefoot, others like to wear normal or grippy socks, the choice is yours. Mats are always available for loan at the studio but it's recommended you have your own for hygiene reasons.  Good quality, well-cushioned mats are available for sale at the studio for £20.  Grippy socks can also be purchased, they cost £8.

 

The Principles of Pilates

 

Joseph Pilates did not document these principles, they have been recorded by the elders who trained and worked with him. Whilst there is some debate within the industry as to exactly how many there are, the following are generally agreed to be the key ones:-

 

Concentration – Pilates demands intense focus, how the movements are done is more important than the exercises themselves.  Quality of movement is more important than quantity.

 

Control – “Nothing about the Pilates method is haphazard.”  The reason we need to concentrate so thoroughly is so that we are in control of every aspect of every movement.  Control is required from the crown of the head through to the toes.

 

Centering – The centre or core is the focal point of Pilates. I liken it to driving a car, before you drive, you have to prepare to move (open car, start engine, seatbelt on etc).  Similarly before we perform an exercise, we consider and engage our core so that all movements flow outwards to the limbs.  In essence, we work from the inside out.

 

Precision – This is essential to good, technically correct pilates.  “Concentrate on the correct movements each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all the vital benefits of their value.”  It stands to reason, do one perfect, precise movement rather than numerous average ones…..quality, not quantity!

 

Flowing Movement – We aim for seamless, elegant movement by creating flow through the use of appropriate transitions.  When we concentrate, control, centre and are precise with exercises and transitions, they will flow within and into each other in order to build strength and stamina.

 

Breathing – is very important in Pilates.  Crazy as it may sound, breathing in the way Joseph Pilates intended doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people and can take some practise.  Joseph Pilates saw breathing as cleansing and invigorating, he saw considerable value in increasing the intake of oxygen and the circulation of this oxygenated blood to every part of the body.  He believed that forced exhalation was the key to full inhalation and advised people to squeeze out the lungs as they would a wet towel dry.

 

We use lateral thoracic breathing in Pilates in order to keep the low abdominals close to the spine to protect it (not allowing the tummy to expand naturally or fill with air).  Our breath needs to be directed laterally (sideways) into the lower ribcage and into our mid back.  Generally speaking, we exhale with the effort phase of a movement and inhale on the return or less strenuous part of an exercise.  As Joseph Pilates said, “above all, learn to breathe correctly.”