About Pilates

We generally hold a lot of tension in our bodies and the starting point of any class is to begin to relax, stand in alignment and drop the mind into the body with the breath. We also learn how to recognise areas of unwanted tension such as in the back of the neck and shoulders, and how to release this tension through the Pilates moves.

Good alignment is essential, and you are checked while performing the moves in class to make sure you have the correct position, whether standing, sitting or lying down. Each part of the body should be in line while exercising. You then reduce the possibility of injury and in turn through better body alignment improve your posture and movement patterns.

Whatever level you are working at, all the exercises need to take place from a stable centre using “core” muscles which are a set of deep muscles found in the pelvis, abdomen and lumbar area of the back. Centring is achieved by activating these tonic holding muscles in this area in the required static position at a low level, and it’s important to do this in order before carrying out the moves. “Core Stability” should control and stabilise the position of the pelvis, spine, torso as well as the shoulders, neck and head and allows the Pilates movements in class to be initiated safely from a stable base.

We often use just 50% of our lung capacity when we breathe holding our breath without even knowing it. We rarely use the many muscles linked with breathing in the body fully, which can lead to problems such as shortened painful muscles and bad posture. Focused Pilates breathing through class not only strengthens the “core” muscles needed for good stability but maximise the body’s ability to stretch, relax and open, particularly around the chest, neck and shoulder area. 

As with yoga and Qigong, consistent but relaxed, deep breathing is essential to allow flowing movement and in turn proper muscle balance. Correct Pilates breathing is something we work on through the term. Deep, rhythmical breath while moving is not always easy to do, but when you get it you feel great and improve not only your posture but your general health and well-being.

Pilates is a series of flowing movements. Slow continuous movement, lengthening the muscles and mobilising the joints from a strong centre, training the body to move smoothly in alignment and evenly through full range of motion. People often start the classes with limited, restricted movement and after time a fuller range is achieved.

Focusing the mind on each and every movement will develop your body’s sensory feedback and will enhance your ability to perform the movements correctly and safely in class. 

Through focused concentration we look at proprioception which allows us to understand where the body is placed in space when stationary or moving and is something we concentrate on in class. It’s amazing how unaware we are of how we stand and move through our day, and how movements repeated repetitively many times a day can get us into trouble and lead to pain if done incorrectly. Through the classes we aim to improve our awareness of where our body is in space through concentration to help us move our bodies more safely and freely.

Through the classes we progressively challenge our stability and build strength and endurance through repeated slow, quality movements. Through time, our stamina will increase tenfold, giving us more energy and preparing us to use our bodies correctly with improved movement patterns while carrying out our daily activities.

It’s important to coordinate your alignment with your breathing, your centring and your movement. Learning this is excellent mental and physical training (the mind and body connection), stimulating the nervous system and movement patterns of the body in the correct sequence through the exercises. 

Coordinating these repeat movement patterns regularly through the class, will start to change the way you move for the better in daily life. We start off slowly in the beginners class, and build up to more complex movement patterns often using resistance and load in the intermediate, advanced classes.