ABOUT ME, PILATES & BODY CONTROL PILATES

I am a trained step aerobics teacher and now am a qualified and experienced Body Control Pilates Matwork teacher.

As a member of the Body Control Pilates Association and Register of Exercise Professionals I continue to study and complete further courses, attend workshops and development weekends and so I am constantly developing my teaching qualifications and capability.

I have spent four years teaching overseas and returned in September 2016 to teach in Devon. I offer small group and one-to-one classes for both men and women of all abilities using different types of small equipment ; bands, weights, overballs, magic circles and stability rollers.

I have specialised in:

  • Matwork using different types of small equipment; balls, bands, weights, circles and rollers
  • Pilates for the older person – Improvements can be achieved in blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol levels, bone health, risk of chronic diseases and obesity. Pilates improves balance, coordination and reduces the risk of falls.
  • Pilates for osteoporosis – Pilates classes help with bone density loss, joint mobility and muscle strength.
  • Pilates for pregnancy – exercises that will change monthly as the body changes. Pilates helps to improve posture and reduce strain on the joints, teaches relaxation and breathing.
  • Pilates for golfers – exercises specifically designed to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.

WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates is not a ‘life philosophy’ like Yoga it is simply a series of exercises designed to improve the strength of core muscles around the abdomen, hips and lower back. Pilates improves posture, flexibility and develops core strength and efficient movement habits that translate for daily life.

Pilates is a mind and body workout. Pilates is a mental and physical body-conditioning programme that uses exercises to change the way in which we use our bodies. It teaches us to be aware of our body, a way of moving, better posture and strengthens the muscles and the joints.

Pilates is a form of exercise that is excellent for anyone whether first-time exercisers or those recovering from injury or operation helping to reshape the body, improve posture and flexibility – and also challenging top athletes looking to enhance their performance and minimise the risk of injury eg tennis players, golfers, runners.

WHO WAS JOSEPH PILATES

Joseph Pilates (1880-1967) born in Germany and was ill as a child, but he learnt yoga, martial arts, and gymnastics and taught fitness to the police and army in the UK before the 1st world war. After internment in the UK he left and went back to Germany and then on to America. In New York he designed Pilates (‘Contrology’) and ran a studio in New York with his wife Clara to help injured soldiers and ballet dancers. His aim was for slow, controlled flowing movements performed with thoughtful awareness to strengthen muscles.

“If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.” – Joseph Pilates

WHY BODY CONTROL PILATES?

Body Control Pilates (BCP) is based on the work of Joseph Pilates and BCP was founded in 1995 by Lynne Robinson making Pilates accessible to everyone. Body Control Pilates is Europe’s largest professional Pilates organisation and all teachers follow a comprehensive training and awarded recognised qualifications. Good movement skills are taught step by step and classes are kept to a maximum of 12 ensuring close supervision and support from the teacher.

“Our mission has been to bring the benefits of Pilates to everyone. To this end we have created a method that is effective, safe and challenging: a method that is taught by teachers with unrivalled skills, knowledge and integrity.”

WHO IS PILATES FOR?

  • Everyone
  • First-time exercisers
  • Athletes looking to enhance their performance and minimise the risk of injury (runners, golfers, tennis players etc)
  • The older person
  • Those who wish to prevent and treat osteoporosis
  • Those who are pregnant (2nd and 3rd trimesters and post natal)
  • Those suffering from neck or back pain or recovering from injury

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

  • Helps maintain strong, flexible spine
  • Greater awareness of posture
  • Tones and builds long lean muscles
  • Strengthens deep abdominal muscles
  • Helps with motivation by engaging mind and enhancing body awareness
  • Reduces stress, relieves tension and boosts energy
  • Helps restore posture alignment
  • Promotes recovery from strain and injury
  • Increases range of motion of joints
  • Improves circulation
  • Offers relief from back pain
  • Complements sports training and develops functional fitness for daily life
  • Improves the way our bodies look and feel
  • Helps women return to pre-pregnancy figure after birth
  • Provides a kinder and gentler way of exercise
Pilates targets the deep postural muscles, building strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment. It helps to reshape the body, which will become longer and leaner and more toned. It will also improve your posture, achieving the perfect balance between strength and flexibility, and it is a great way to relieve unwanted stress and tension.
Regular practice leads to improved strength and joint stability whilst giving greater flexibility. Deep muscles which support the spine are strengthened and posture often improves. It’s easy to see why Pilates is often recommended for being helpful in relieving chronic back pain.