What is Pilates?
While it seems like health professionals only started recommending Pilates as a form of exercise a few years ago, the workout has actually been around much longer. Joseph Pilates developed the system of exercises in the 1920s as a way for bedridden hospital patients injured during WWI to keep up their strength. After opening his first Pilates studio near the New York City Ballet, his exercise practice first became very popular with professional dancers looking to build all over strength and flexibility and recover from injury. Pilates really took off in the ’90s and is now recognised by health professionals as one of the best forms of exercise to build strength and flexibility and reduce chronic pain, especially lower back pain.
We teach evidence-based Pilates (original Pilates exercises taught in line with current best-practice exercise guidelines) to strengthen, stretch & overcome chronic pain and movement limitations, whilst also improving mental wellbeing. Lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain, hip & knee mobility are all improved with regular Pilates.
How does it work?
It is a myth that we inevitably become weaker, stiffer and in more pain as we age. Yes, it’s true that as we age, our bodies change. Muscle mass and bone density reduce. Our joints and ligaments become less flexible. We feel aches and pains more than when we were younger.
But it is also true that regular Pilates practice done in accordance with best practice strengthening guidelines can greatly slow down, reduce or even reverse these effects! Our bodies are adaptable at any age. To slow down or reverse these ageing effects, we need to move ‘under load’. Resistance work builds muscle mass and bone, tendon and ligament strength. Moving through full range lubricates and keeps joints healthy. We also need balance work to reduce the risk of falling. Our lesson programs are designed to stimulate your body to adapt so you reap these benefits.
Regular Pilates (indeed most exercise) also improves mental well-being and sleep quality and reduces stress and chronic pain. You'll also reduce your chance of developing serious health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and stroke if you exercise.
Pilates and exercise will also reduce your chance of injury, and will speed up the rehabilitation process and build you up more quickly both pre & post-surgery and pregancy.
Our Classes
Our Classes
As we offer a series of layers/options with each exercise, we ensure that each person is appropriately challenged so that the body receives the required stimulation to generate the necessary adaptive responses.
We are all different and some days we feel stronger than on other days. That’s why we promote an individual practice even in a group setting. In this way, no one is left behind and everyone is suitably challenged whether you’re a beginner or advanced, in early rehab or are strong and raring to go.