Why join a weekly Pilates Class?

What is Pilates?

People often ask what Pilates is and how it compares to yoga. Pilates exercises mostly involve slow, continuous movement whereas in yoga a pose might be held for a longer period of time. Perhaps a bigger difference is the focus on the core muscles in Pilates through both conscious connection to these deep postural muscles and also through movements that specifically target and challenge them. 

The exercises that I teach are quite broad and involve movements aiming to provide many of the benefits to my participants as listed earlier. Sometimes the benefits of each movement however, may not be immediately apparent, so I try to explain them during the sessions.

One example is an exercise that I call the book opener. During this move, we are lying on our side and we open one arm up towards the ceiling and then rotate the body backwards to gently twist the upper spine and open up the chest muscles. This exercise may not appear to relate to postural improvements, however as we get older (and gravity has it's effect on our spine, chest, and shoulders), it is common for the muscles in our chest to tighten and our shoulders to hunch forwards. This book opener exercise helps to stretch the muscles in the front of the chest, opening up the chest and shoulders in a way so as to counteract the postural changes that often occur with age.

The ABC of Pilates

It's common to assume that to improve our balance we simply need to practice balancing, by standing on one leg for example. However, this is only one element of optimal balance, and so I also teach exercises that help to: strengthen the hips and glutes; improve overall leg strength and power; and improve mobility throughout the body. I may also add movements that involve side stepping or lunging - all of which may contribute to improvements in functional balance. There are many more examples of exercises that can improve certain elements of our daily function that I build into each one-hour class, often with somewhat hidden positive side-effects! 

Additionally, each exercise that I teach begins with the ABC...

A – alignment

B – breathing

C – centering/core.

Each exercise starts in a particular position e.g. lying on our back, then we check and adjust the alignment of the body. This important part of the set up includes alignment from our feet, up through our knees and hips, to our pelvis, spine and rib cage, and into our collarbones, shoulder blades, arms, neck, and head. Once we are aligned (to the best of our capability) we focus on breathing into our lower rib cage before connecting with our core muscles. All of this occurs before we even begin the actual movement itself. No wonder people often find Pilates to be a very mindful form of exercise!

Are you ready to join a Pilates Class?

We not only perform Pilates specific movements, but also lots of gentle stretches to help lengthen muscles and improve flexibility throughout the body. The one-hour classes end with a 10-minute mindfulness or relaxation session.

I plan to write my next article on one of the positive side-effects of Pilates and will be using my participants feedback for inspiration!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you here next month. If you'd like to join a regular weekly Pilates Class in the new year simply send me an email and enquire. All adults are welcome, from beginners and beyond. Classes are held at Hook Community Centre.

 Wishing you strength, flexibility and balance on the run-up to the festive period!