Why Pilates?

By Debbie Wyer on 25 August 2022

As you might’ve guessed I LOVE Pilates. Even when I’m on holiday I’m thinking about it. It is definitely my passion, hence the fact that I’m running my own business teaching it to others and helping them to defy the ageing process.

Joseph Pilates himself said: "In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference, and in 30 you will have a whole new body." 

 
I truly believe that Pilates can help us not just slow down the ageing process, but actually feel and function BETTER than we did when our bodies were younger. Doing one session a week will help but ideally to get great results you want to do up to four exercises a week, it doesn’t all have to be Pilates, maybe it’s dancing, walking, or gardening.
 
Pilates is also wonderful for your posture, for back health, and for your abs. But there’s so much more to it than that. Here’s why.
 
Pilates works for everyone and can be practiced at all stages of life. Exercises can be modified for beginners or to accommodate injuries. Equipment can be added to make movements more challenging. For example, the Pilates hedgehog (one of my favourite bits of kit) is small, amazingly versatile and can be used in many different ways to progress a movement as well as give you feedback to ensure you get the most out of every exercise.
 
Pilates creates a mind-body connection. Joseph Pilates designed it to be a mindful form of exercise. Connecting and bringing awareness to your body, your movement and your breath helps you activate as well as relax your muscles when appropriate. The better connection you make with your body, the more benefits you will gain.
 
Pilates is not just about abs. It’s a full-body exercise – we focus on the core, but we train the entire body as an integrated system and move in all directions and orientations.
 
Pilates improves your balance, co-ordination, and stability which we can lose as we get older.
 
Pilates is good for spine health. Mobilising the spine can help lubricate and hydrate the discs and vertebrae and Pilates focuses on movement of the spine in all planes of motion.
 
Pilates helps you look taller and slimmer as you get older - by targeting your deep postural muscles.
 
Pilates helps you move better, avoiding stiffness or that hunched look as you get older – It encourages your body to increase your lung capacity so your ribs can move freely.
 
Pilates boosts energy levels. Clients often say they feel relaxed and energised by a class.
 
In Pilates, movements should be smooth, graceful and flowing. Imagine trying to create the grace of a dancer in the way you are moving.
 
So, if you have been thinking of trying a class for a while, book your chat with me and we will get you in for a trial class. New term starts week commencing 5^th September.