If you are new to Pilates, or have come to Pilates for
rehabilitation then I strongly recommend that you have at
least one 121 session with myself before joining a group class as
you will be taught the technique at a pace and level that is
suitable for you as an individual. In a 121 session I
take a background history, complete a postural assessment and
then teach you the Pilates technique at a speed and
level that caters for your individual needs. I combine traditional
Pilates mat work, with Pilates reformer, Pilates wunda
chair and also use stability balls, resistance bands, foam
rollers, isotoners and other small equipment to give you a
rounded, varied and challenging programme.
If you don't have the budget for 121 Pilates tuition then these classes are the next best thing. Combining traditional Pilates mat work exercises and small equipment with work on large studio equipment; reformer, stability chair, tower trainer, arc barrel, spine corrector.
I am able to cater for all levels of ability as there are only 4 students in the class although I do try to match students of similar ablities in these classes. I combine traditional Pilates mat work and small equipment; resistance bands, foam rollers, isotoners to give you a rounded, varied and challenging class.
If you have prior Pilates experience you are welcome to join this mixed level to intermediate level class. Those without prior experience are welcome to join once they have completed at least one 121 session with myself. In an initial 121 I will conduct a full assessment, teach you the basics and offer any modifications that may be necessary for you within the group environment.
If you have no Pilates experience you will need to complete at
least one 121 session with myself prior to gaining entry into a
class.
You may need to attend 4 - 10 sessions or more before you
really start to understand Pilates and start making progress with
the technique and movements......
All the exercises are modified to begin with to teach you the
Pilates technique safely. I will then offer individuals the
opportunity to try more challenging levels depending on
experience and ability.
When you have the basics you are welcome to join a small group class and progress within the class.
In every class you have to concentrate and
be body aware, working only at the level that is CORRECT
and SAFE for you - the technique takes time to master and
a lifetime to perfect.
I vary the Pilates exercises that I teach each week in
all my classes so you are always doing different
combinations of exercises. I ensure that
the exercises use all the muscles in the body and
mobilise all the joints of the skeleton so that by the end of
the class you have had a full body work out.
121 Pilates beginner lessons are perfectly suited for people with
back and muscular skeletal issues on referral from medical
professionals.
If you have a fundamental knowledge of Pilates and want more challenge I can offer you this on a 121 or in a small group environment. I will enable you to expand your repetoire of Pilates exercises and increase your strength, stamina, flexibility and mobility. I will teach you how to safely progress through the levels at your own pace according to your ability.
I teach the full repetoire of original Pilates movements along with many variations.
I vary the Pilates exercises that I teach each week in
all my classes so you are always doing different
combinations of exercises. I ensure that
the exercises use all the muscles in the body and
mobilise all the joints of the skeleton so that by the end of
the class you have had a full body work out.
Bring baby along!!
Postnatal Pilates is a great way to safely reintroduce exercise into your life post birth. After the baby is born and you are cleared for exercise by your midwife - usually after 6 weeks you can start exercising your whole body again.
My aim is to help you gently recondition the body with
a focus on strengthening and reconditioning the abdominal
muscles and pelvic floor and to prepare you for more challenging
Pilates exercises as your body returns to
strength.
Post natal Pilates is suitable for mums with diastasis recti,
pelvic girdle pain (SPD) and back issues although I would recommend
that you have at least 1 121 lesson with myself before joining a
class.
If you have been doing Pilates before your pregnancy then it is
safe to continue through your pregnancy. Current medical
guidelines recommend that you should NOT
start a brand new exercise technique during the first or
last trimester of pregnancy.
Pilates is a great way to keep your body in condition all the
way through your pregnancy, it strengthens the body, mobilises the
joints and keeps the muscles flexible.
With pregnant students my focus is on
teaching you your 'ideal' posture, exercises to keep your
joints mobile and muscles flexible and exercises
to strengthen the deep postural muscles.
Pilates helps keep the pelvic floor strong and the lower back
supported as the growing baby changes your posture and
shape.
As your pregnancy progresses your body changes, one of the main
changes is that the ligaments around your joints become more mobile
due to the pregnancy hormone relaxin it is for this reason
that stretching exercises are not advisable during
pregnancy.
Pilates helps to keep your joints strong and mobile
without the risk over-stretching. Gentle
Pilates lessons are suitable for mums to be with SPD and
pelvic girdle pain and can help to stabilise the pelvis
to alleviate/minimise further issues with these
conditions.
I offer 121 pregnancy Pilates lessons at my Cowick Street
studio, if you haven't practised Pilates before I would recommend
doing 121 Pilates work to start with while
pregnant.
I am happy to adapt the exercises specifically for pregnant
mums in my classes. My aim is to help you gently
condition the body and prepare you for later pregnancy and
childbirth.