Pilates

Pilates helps enable your muscles to do the job they were designed to do; not the job they’ve learned to do.  It is sometimes mistaken for a gentle exercise class or just stretching but it actually uses a combination of strengthening (focusing on core), low impact, achievable but precise exercises, to create an intense and highly beneficial workout. These help to strengthen, rebalance, realign, lengthen and relax the body.

Benefits of Pilates

  • Improves posture
  • Improves mobility and flexibility of the spinal column
  • Increases muscle strength, endurance and tone
  • Promotes healthy joints
  • Promotes a more efficient and supportive core
  • Increases stability for the pelvis and shoulders
  • Facilitates injury prevention and physical rehabilitation
  • Improves motor skills such as balance and co-ordination
  • Builds stamina and increases circulation
  • Encourages deep and efficient breathing
  • Improves well being
  • Alleviates aches and pains, particularly back problems
  • It helps to improve bone density
  • Relieves stress and tension
  • Heightens body awareness
  • Improves quality of life

These benefits will aid those with aches and pains to lower tension, improve muscle strength and generally helps with keeping active.

We run different sorts of Pilates classes: APPI (Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute Pilates) which are Physio led and ‘Realistic Pilates’ classes.  The instructors of both classes are fully qualified but the method of Pilates they are trained in may differ.  However, all the classes are mat based and suitable for any age and all fitness abilities are welcome.  

APPI Physio Led Pilates Classes (Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute)

The Physio Led method of Pilates is run by Jana McNee, Chartered Physiotherapist, who has been trained by the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute (APPI).  The Pilates exercises taught in this class follow a program of graded exercises based on sound clinical reasoning.

Why is Physio led Pilates different from other Pilates Classes? As the name suggests, the class is led by a Chartered Physiotherapist. You will receive a full professional assessment prior to joining the class so all the exercises are carefully selected to match your needs and abilities, throughout the class we will then be able to assist you with your progression. The physio is qualified to discuss any health issues you might have during/after exercise and provide you with advice how to cope with them.

If you are currently injured, struggle with chronic pain or have a long-term health problem, then we recommend this is the class for you.

All the exercise programs are backed with research and broken down to a comprehensive level system to make sure you are always working within your limits.

With our Physiotherapy training we can make sure that the exercises are done with precision to allow your body to re-learn the correct movement patterns necessary for reducing your pains and aches, to help your body to be more efficient in its posture and to reach your goals.

Whilst being great as a complimentary programme to a cardiovascular exercise plan, Pilates is also effective on its own and is often prescribed as a rehabilitative class for injured or recovering clients.

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Classes are run for 4 or 6 week blocks.

In most cases yes. We still  need to pay staff etc.  If you cannot make your class speak to your instructor about being able to slot in on another day and if there is a space. This may not always be possible.

Please do not worry, we have people of all shapes, sizes, levels of ability and both female and male.

If you are a complete beginner we recommend booking for a one to one induction before starting a course of classes. During these sessions we fill in a health form, discuss posture and any injuries or health issues where related to exercise and teach the basics you’ll need to know to begin a class. It’s a great chance to get a head start, get to know your instructor and spend an hour completely focussed on you.

The instructor will bring a mat along with any other equipment needed but if you’d like to bring your own mat or feel you’d like an extra mat or head cushion please feel free to bring one. We sell Pilates and Yoga mats and head blocks etc. So just ask at reception.

Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes that allow you to move, bend, bring your knees up to the body whilst lying. We normally practice in socks or bare feet. If you are susceptible to feeling the cold please bring cosy socks and a fleece/hoody as you will be lying on the mat for a period of the class.

If you’d like to please bring a bottle that will not leak and please take it away with you. Please do not bring any food to class and definitely no chewing gum.

The Realistic Pilates instructor and the Physio Led Pilates instructor are qualified in ante and post-natal adaptation of exercise so don’t be afraid to come along. As you grow you will eventually become more limited in terms of what your body can manage but Pilates exercises are well known to provide relief from everyday symptoms of pregnancy including aches and pains and sleeplessness.

Most of the exercises are mat based, so as long as you can get back up off the mat then there is no problem for you attending. You will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire prior to starting a class so any medical conditions and your suitability for the class can be discussed then. If you are unsure if you will manage this class then please ask your Pilates Instructor who will be able to answer any queries you may have.