Pilates - What is it?

Pilates is a mind-body exercise approach that was devised by the late Joseph Pilates.

 

It is centred on using your ‘core’ abdominal muscles and the correct postural alignment of your body.  Specific exercises are then practised to strengthen, mobilise and stretch specific parts of your body – giving you a better posture, a stronger more flexible body, and a longer/ leaner muscle shape.  
The movements are timed with your breathing – this makes the ‘core’ work more efficiently and also helps you concentrate purely on the Pilates, so has the welcomed side effect of leaving you in a lovely relaxed state… sounds addictive, and it is!

The exercises themselves help you to achieve a more aligned posture which allows the muscles to work more efficiently, reducing the stress on your joints.  It also helps reduce muscle imbalances – the term us Physios give when one group of muscles is over-working (and sometimes tight) and another group of muscles is under-working and weak.  
Often our modern day lifestyles and postures can lead to these imbalances which can then contribute to pains and problems in our bodies - Think how you feel after a day sitting at your computer, or maybe bending forwards looking after a baby… Do you feel achy in your low back, tight in the muscles either side of your neck, and feel that your shoulders are sloping forwards? Pilates can help. 

What is Physio Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.  However some of the traditional exercises (taught by Joseph Pilates himself) can be too challenging for individuals who have back, neck or joint pains, who haven’t exercised in a while, or who are pregnant or post natal. 

Physio-Pilates (or Clinical Pilates) therefore modifies these traditional exercises, using them as tools to target particular muscles or restrictions in the body and breaking them down into clearly defined levels that are suitable for rehabilitation. Once you have mastered level one correctly you can progress up the levels…. They do get quite challenging, so don’t worry about it being too easy!  

This system of modified Pilates was designed by the Physiotherapists at the renowned APPI (The Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute) in London, and is based on scientific research.

All of our teachers are fully certified Pilates Instructors, trained by the London based APPI.  

As a collective team we have completed the following Pilates courses:

  • Matwork -  Foundation and level 1 & 2
  • Class Instructor
  • Modified Pilates and the Theraband
  • Modified Pilates and the Exercise Ball 
  • Pilates for Runners
  • Pilates for Rowers
  • Reformer Pilates
  • Standing Pilates
  • Ante and Post Natal Pilates

What are the Benefits?

  • Flexibility
  • Core strength
  • Muscle tone and Body Shape
  • Alignment and Posture
  • Reduction in Back pain
  • Joint Mobility
  • Pelvic Floor Strength
  • Stress Relief
  • Injury Prevention

Pilates can also help to support weight loss, improve your self-confidence and aid general relaxation.

The benefits are endless!