What is pilates?
Pilates is a form of exercise where the main emphasis is on building core strength. The body's core includes the abdomen, back and pelvic girdle area. Under Rebecca's instruction you will gain an awareness of these core muscles, good breathing techniques to enhance the effectiveness of your pilates workout and individual attention to help you work with your own postural requirements.
The exercises are designed to develop flexibility with muscle strength and endurance but without causing the muscles to bulk up. Pilates is not stressful to joints and as such is a suitable exercise for any age group. However, it is important that you can get up and down from the mat at the start and end of the session.
The exercises can be adjusted to suit anyones level of strength and fitness. The original pilates exercises were used for building strength and endurance in elite athletes and professional dancers. However, adaptations to the exercises through organisations like STOTT PILATES have made this wonderful discipline available and accessible to all. Please Click here to email me if you want to know more.
What should I expect from a pilates class?
Group classes are called 'matwork' classes where the exercises are performed on a mat. Rebecca will put together a class using a selection of the exercises from the pilates repertoire. The exercises will systematically work the main muscle groups and concentrate on stabilisation, alignment and breathing.
As a person's understanding of the principles of pilates and strength improves the exercises will be increased in intensity and difficulty. Even the simplest of exercises can present a challenge if done with thought and control.
It should be noted here that even small group classes will not be suitable for people with serious physical injuries. It is essential that serious injuries are treated on an individual basis. Only when a certain level of strength and control are reached will such a person be advised to join a group class.
Private coaching
One to one sessions are available. These sessions are only available in the daytime, however, they can be a good way to help people understand what their body needs and get to grips with technique. My aim with these sessions is to aways get someone into a group class after a few sessions.
What pilates can do for you
- Increase core strength(abdominals/back/pelvis)
- Strengthen Pelvic floor muscles
- Increase mobility of the spine
- Reduce stiffness and pain in shoulders and neck
- Improve postural alignment
- Help reduce stress
- Help prevent back problems
- Improve co-ordination
- Tone whole body
