Hi, I’m Emma.
I first started doing Pilates in 2004, and it has helped me enormously both physically and mentally. In 2018 I started my Level 3 qualification in Pilates Matwork Instruction and am now teaching my own classes to help others have the same experiences.
A chartered accountant by day, and always busy with work, family and friends, Pilates helps me stay active and gives me some time to myself to relax and refocus.
What is Pilates?
Pronounced puh-lah-teez, and named after the man who invented it in the early 20th century, Pilates is a form of exercise that helps strengthen the body. It’s focus is on the core muscles and giving the body a stable base to move from.
It develops strength, builds flexibility and improves the control of movement in the body, It uses postural alignment to ensure that movement comes from the right part of the body. It also uses breathing and works on improving balance and co-ordination. All of these are elements of movement that we need to maintain to help in everyday life.
Pilates uses a set of 8 key principles to connect the mind and body together— centring, concentration, control, precision, flowing movement, isolation, routine and breath. Joseph Pilates believed that physical and mental health were connected and this is reflected in the exercises he developed and taught to his students.
Is it for me?
Pilates is fully adaptable, so is suitable for most people as modifications can be made to the exercises. It can be done on a one to one basis, using equipment, or in a mat-based class. Stretch Balance Pilates offers mat based classes at mixed level ability.
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits, and everyone who practises Pilates gets different things from it, but several that are common are:
- It improves posture and develops core strength
- It helps reduce stress
- It improves mobility, co-ordination and balance
- It improves muscle strength and tone.
- It increases body and movement awareness.
- It can help improve bone density
Pilates is also great as part of a bigger programme of exercise.