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About Pilates

Pilates offers many benefits for the body, mind and spirit.

The exercises are precise in nature whilst also being great fun, easy on the joints and very effective. They help to improve posture, flexibility, strength and mental clarity.

The Pilates method was the brain-child of Joseph Pilates. 

Pilates developed a series of movements to help patients in hospital to regain their fitness whilst they were imprisoned during the first world war. He even went so far as to modify hospital beds and chairs to help the patients to move. These modifications became the basis for today’s large studio equipment, the reformer and the wonder chair.The pilates method soon began to gain popularity after the war and was adopted by gymnasts, dancers and the general public as an enjoyable way to strengthen the body, improve flexibility, posture and mental health.

The exercises have been modified over time so that they are suitable for most people, regardless of age or ability. They have a gentle flow throughout and in my classes are performed with a background of beautiful music on a soft mat on the floor. Students have full instruction and hands-on correction and should leave the class feeling refreshed and at peace.

But why should I do Pilates?

Muscles and joints can become weaker in daily life as we adopt habitual poor posture. Core muscles are the deep, stabilising muscles of the abdomen and back and they support the spine. A strong core means that the spine is supported properly. Over time large, global muscles in the body become overused as they try to compensate for poor posture, becoming overstretched, shorter or tighter. They begin to signal discomfort by becoming painful.  Ignoring the pain signals, our joints become habitually out of alignment and so painful and prone to further injury.

Regularly practicing Pilates exercises can change these unhealthy movement patterns, developing the strength of the core and pelvic floor muscles to improve mobility and flexibility at the joints. We start to move better.

The exercises:

  • build a stronger and more stable core
  • re-train the body to support efficient, graceful movement
  • improve mind to body awareness improve balance, co-ordination and control
  • de-stress and release tension.
  • lengthen, strengthen and tone muscles
  •  improve flexibility at the joints
  •  improve joint stability
  • improve posture
  • correct muscular imbalances
  • can get you out of pain