Your Questions Answered
What’s the difference between group classes and private sessions? Which one is for me?
Individual Pilates lessons are tailored to work on your specific needs, goals or medical conditions (back or chronic pain, sport injuries, pregnancy related conditions such as abdominal separation or Pelvic pain). Private sessions are more suitable to help overcome specific conditions or specific, or whenever you feel that a more individual approach is what you need.
A group class is the perfect environment to improve your posture, strengthening your body and learn little tips to improve your daily movements. You will receive individual attention and hands-on corrections and will be surrounded by like-minded, friendly buddies. Every body and every shape is welcome!
Comfortable, not too baggy clothes you can move freely in.
No baggy shorts.
Socks
Tell me more about the consultation. What should I expect?
During the initial consultation we will discuss your goals, movement history and injuries or conditions, if any. I will run a postural assessment based on observation of standing and moving patterns and we will practice a few exercises or stretches (or both) that you can do at home. The consultation is free and it has no obligation: it helps me understanding if I could help and what would be the best option for you. Only then, if you decide to work with me, I will present you the different solutions.
Working on an individual basis, we will focus on your specific goals and needs, following a programme that is tailored for you. We will use the various pieces of Pilates equipment to make sure that your sessions will be always fun, interesting and varied.
You will have a set of exercises to practice at home in between sessions.
Private sessions can also be used as an introduction to the method of Pilates, if you are totally new and ant to gain some confidence before joining a group class.
Do I need to be fit – flexible to do Pilates?
Pilates exercises come with a number of different options and adaptations to meet you where you are. Every body and every shape is welcome! The method builds long, lean muscles and will help you improve your flexibility.
Does Pilates really help with back pain and why?
Yes! Not only is Pilates safe for most people to do, it is often recommended or used by physiotherapists and other physical therapists for treatment and rehabilitation.
The primary ideals of Pilates are improving posture, correcting imbalances, and enhancing functional movement. A lot of attention is also given to the spine and the core, making Pilates an effective tool against back pain. If you are suffering with a specific condition, starting with some private sessions would definitely be recommended before you can safely join any group class.
Can I continue with my current fitness regime if I start Pilates?
You surely can! Since Pilates is the perfect cross-training exercise of choice, used by professional athletes, dancers, and sports professionals, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t continue with your usual activities while doing Pilates. Many people find that it helps to strengthen them, and better equip them to do other activities as well.
Pilates and yoga share some similarities, but they do have many differences. Both can be performed in a group class on a mat and both focus on building a strong mind-body connection. The origins of both are different, Yoga from the east, Pilates from the west. Pilates tends to have a greater physical root, with an emphasis on core strength, which is great for reducing back pain. Yoga, on the other hand, places a spiritual as well as physical emphasis, which aims at nourishing your body and mind equally. Yoga is also great for promoting flexibility and movement.
Due to the emphasis placed on proper technique and movement patterns, Pilates is also often used as a rehabilitation tool for many injuries and conditions.
Will Pilates make me lose weight?
Pilates can support healthy weight loss, even though it is not a cardiovascular activity. Since Pilates helps to tone your muscle, creating lean muscle mass, this can help to increase your calorie burning potential and build up a slimmer, toner figure.
Pilates is for seniors only/ for women only/ too static /too slow
The slow pace and the focus on precision are amongst the best advantage of practicing Pilates, combining mind and body to work hard towards a goal. Super challenging!
From improved flexibility to better posture, from enhanced muscular strength to stabilization of the spine and from rehabilitation to prevention of injuries– Pilates helps one and all through a series of exercises that seem a lot easier than they really are, as they involve deep stabilising muscles that we don’t usually focus on.
There is a common misconception that Pilates is only for women. Pilates was actually invented by a man and is for everyone!
How does Pilates help my posture?
Pilates works on strengthening the core muscles and move efficiently by recruiting the right muscles (who are often inactive due to our lifestyle) to hold our posture, instead of relying on the superficial musculature.
Using the deep core muscles of the powerhouse—the abdominals, back, and pelvic floor—to support our posture allows the shoulders to relax, the neck and head to move freely, and relieves stress on the hips, legs, and feet.
I am pregnant. Can I do Pilates?
Absolutely! Pilates is one of the best forms of exercise to continue when you are pregnant. There are of course guidelines for all forms of exercise when you are pregnant, and Pilates is no exception to that. For that reason, I will give you the correct modifications and advice to ensure a healthy, positive pregnancy,
As Pilates is focused on using your pelvic floor correctly, it is extremely effective and important for maintaining support in the entire pelvic structure and lower back, as well as for bladder control during pregnancy, when lots of weight and pressure is put on the pelvic floor.Also, by maintaining your strength and fitness (particularly pelvic floor strength) during pregnancy, your ability to recover faster after birth increases.
If you have not done Pilates before, please book a consultation as pregnancy might not be the best time to take on a new activity that focus so much on the use of abdominal muscles.
The core is the abdominals, right?
There’s a lot more to it! The core (also called “Powerhouse”) of the human body is essentially made up of your entire torso, including your chest, abdominal muscles, pelvis, and even some back muscles. Although your abdominal muscles make up a significant portion of your core, there are many more muscles included and most of them “hidden” very deep down your centre, next to the spine.
Having a strong and stable core will improve your balance and posture and the overall quality of your movement will improve.
What does Pilates mean, by the way?
Pilates is named after its inventor, Joseph Pilates, who developed a system of exercises to improve the physical fitness through a sound connection with the mind.