Pilates Training
Pilates is a proven exercise technique which has been in use for over seventy years, yet, in that time, it has essentially remained a well-kept secret within the world of sport and the performing arts. This is now rapidly changing as people's requirements from, and their approach to, exercise begin to dramatically alter. The 'Mind Body' approach which is central to Pilates is totally in line with these new demands - "it is the mind which builds the body" was Joseph Pilates' favourite quote from Schiller.
Who would benefit from Pilates?
- Anyone wishing to improve their total fitness, posture and appearance
- Professional athletes - advanced conditioning programmes can enhance performance
- Performers - actors, dancers, musicians
- Chronic back pain sufferers
- R.S.I. sufferers
- First time exercises
- The elderly
- Those wishing to help prevent, or treat, osteoporosis
- Sufferers from stress-related illnesses
- Sufferers from eating disorders, weight disorders
- M.E. sufferers
Pilates offers both mental and physical training. It relies on strengthening the postural muscles, which stabilizes the torso. By correcting muscle imbalances, the body is realigned. Pilates avoids the muscle and ligament damage, sometimes associated with other fitness regimes, and, in fact, plays a key role in many injury rehabilitation programmes in dance, sport and general practice.
Pilates is remarkably effective - and medically approved. Based upon a well-constructed philosophical foundation, the core of the Method is 'awareness of your body' and each and every exercise is built around its eight basic principles:
Specific problem-areas (the lower back, for example) can be targeted by an exercise, but always in relation to the rest of one's body. By bringing together body and mind, Pilates literally teaches you to be in control of your body, and allows you to handle stress more effectively and achieve relaxation more easily.
The Method can work for everyone, regardless of fitness level! Exercise can be mat or machine based, but mat-work exercises have a great attraction in that they need no special equipment, and are particularly safe for those with back problems.
One to one Pilates sessions are for 45 minutes and cost £30