What is Pilates| Pilates at the Summerhouse Pilates

PILATES

[puh-laa-teez] noun

A system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength flexibility, and posture and enhance mental awareness.

What is Pilates?

Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. As a child he suffered from asthma and other ailments. He turned to exercise and athletics to battle these ailments and was always studying various exercise regimes to expand his knowledge base.

The Pilates technique he perfected is a system of exercises for developing the whole body; lengthening the spine, correcting posture and enabling strength with ease and poise.

Pilates, through attention to the whole body, is suited to anyone wishing to improve their physical and mental well-being. Pilates enables you to move more efficiently and with less effort thus you become more energised, less stressed and more peaceful.

Apparatus and matwork

The original matwork developed by Joseph Pilates is a series of 34 exercises performed on the floor with a mat. If performed regularly, the work will change your body, restoring it to whole body health, giving you a natural grace and skill that is reflected in the way you walk and the way you work and play. Pilates called his work Contrology and described it as a ‘complete coordination of body, mind and spirit’.

Studio apparatus was also developed by Joseph Pilates and is designed to support the body throughout the exercises whilst the springs connect to the inner “core” thus creating a balanced structure round a central axis.

Matwork is generally harder than working on the apparatus as you only have the floor and must rely on the body’s inherent ‘spring’ to move through the repertoire. The springs create a medium for movement to be possible beyond expectation.

Reset, Restore & Regulate

More and more people these days are succumbing to aches and pains brought on by modern life. Whether through injury, chronic conditions caused by bad posture, or simply the aging process, movement becomes limited and patterns of pain and strain set in.

Movement itself is vital in keeping the connective tissue healthy as immobility causes it to become dehydrated and stuck, eventually leading to strain. Pilates helps to re-set and restores the regulatory nature of fascia, keeping us young by restoring elasticity to the tissues.

Pilates is recommended by Physicians, Surgeons, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists and all rehabilitation professionals looking for a long-term solution to their patients’ injuries and issues.

Pilates enhances physical performance making it ideal for those athletes and sports people hoping to maximize their potential.

Studio sessions

Varied 1 to 1 and duet sessions held in the Summerhouse studio using a range of studio equipment and working to a session plan.

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Home visits

Similar to studio session 1 to 1 and duet sessions held at home using smaller equipment and mats provided.

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Bespoke Classes

Sessions designed for 4 or more people wishing to enjoy a personalised class in their home, community centre or workplace.

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Online classes

Online classes on Zoom are still available. Classes are small – up to a maximum of 7 people.
I also providing 1-1 sessions on Zoom for those who would like a more personal experience.
If you would like to learn more about the online Pilates class or join the class, contact me here.

Online classes on Zoom are still available. Classes are small – up to a maximum of 7 people. I also providing 1-1 sessions on Zoom for those who would like a more personal experience. If you would like to learn more about the online Pilates class or join the class, contact me here.

Reviews

So glad I found Summerhouse Pilates and Christine. I’ve been going to her class for several months now and I am delighted at how much stronger and flexible I’ve become. Christine makes Pilates fun and ensures I maintain good posture throughout the lesson. She makes you really want to work on your Pilates. I always leave the class feeling good and can’t recommend her highly enough.
Having been taught Pilates by Christine for the last couple of years my posture has really improved.
It has freed my lower back from the discomfort that I used to suffer from and at the end of my sessions I feel relaxed and focused in so as move forward with the rest of my life.