How can Pilates help you?
Better Posture
Help to take the strain off your joints, relieve back ache and muscle tension.
Core Stability
Support your spine and improve your balance.
Move More Easily
Improve the range of movement at your joints and feel more supple.
Reduce Stress
Unwind, relax and get a better night’s sleep.
Before I started Pilates I assumed it was lots of lycra and jumping around, I had already decided it wasn’t for me but was talked into it by a friend. What a revelation. I was full of aches and pains and thought it was all part of this “getting older lark” but decided I would just see what it was about. The class had a very friendly feel about it, and we were all encouraged to stretch our muscles and build core strength at our own pace. No jumping around just small but very important movements that enabled me to start to do things for the first time in a long time. I now have better balance and far better posture. I’m more supple and can move around from floor to full height stretches without even thinking about it. Most important for me I now have less pain as my muscle strength gives my body so much more support. From what I see in the class, this is good for all ages and we are superbly encouraged to get the movements right by Kirsty. The exercise and company for me are just so much nicer than the dreaded gym!
Before I started the class I had become aware that my balance and core strength needed some attention (I fell over in the street and landed on my nose!). The classes are great, exactly what I wished for and I feel safe. The exercises can be extended to different levels depending on how my body feels. Knowing that you are there to oversee how I am carrying out the moves and offering alternatives is reassuring. After a class I feel much more relaxed, supple and more energetic. I have greater awareness of how I stand and move now and this has eased the aches and pains I was starting to feel. I love the way the class is delivered in a very professional and friendly way and I always look forward to it.
Before starting Pilates I had hurt my back whilst playing Football. I had daily pain in my lower lumbar area as one of the discs had been affected. Each day felt like my lumbar area was in cramp, constantly tight and ‘niggling’. Whilst I got by on a day to day basis I never felt like anything other than the daily tasks, work, shipping the kids around, jobs at home, were possible without pain or discomfort. Even these I would do carefully wondering if something would ‘give way’ and I’d be in more pain. The classes are great. I go straight from work and use it not only as a way of exercising my back but also as ‘switch off’ time from work. The best result personally for me has been that I now have little or no back pain. I am more confident to do more than just the minimum. I play with my kids without constantly thinking about whether I will be grimacing in pain shortly. Of course I have set backs, things aren’t always perfect with my back, but when I have a set back I know that the exercise will help get me back on track and with patience and practice things will be ok again. The more I use the exercises the less I think about my back.
Latest blog posts
How good is your balance?
Improving balance and being more steady on your feet is just one of the ways Pilates can help you. In my classes we practice standing exercises every week, many of which challenge balance whatever your ability or age. Here is a way to measure your balance. It's a test...
Why Squatting Is So Important
It’s hard to pick out just one best Pilates exercise but there are a few that I make sure I include into every class in one form or another. One of these is the squat. Although not specifically a ‘Pilates exercise’ as you’ll see people do this at the gym or in an...
Tips to Improve Sleep
My class members often tell me how they have their best night's sleep after going to their Pilates class. Sleep is so important for our body's to function properly. It helps with energy levels, concentration, the immune system, memory, weight loss but it's often...