Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Both yoga and Pilates are low-impact forms of exercise that aim to form a mind-body connection. It’s difficult to compare the two directly as there are many different forms of yoga, but in general terms, yoga has more of a focus on holding static poses, or flowing between poses, while Pilates uses precise, controlled movements to challenge your stability and core strength.
Body Control Pilates instructors undergo extensive, rigorous training so they can deliver the best quality teaching possible. With small class sizes, each instructor won’t just demonstrate the exercises – they’ll actively teach you how to breathe and move, and how to correct any alignment or postural issues. This means you’ll rapidly increase your proprioception – your awareness of the position and movement of your own body – which means you can safely and effectively improve your flexibility, core stability and strength.
Most back pain comes from incorrect posture, often caused by the long-term effects of modern life, such as sitting down to work all day, from standing too much, or various other imbalances or injuries. Pilates will help to balance your body, realigning your spine, and developing the muscles that support your core. This can have a huge impact on reducing back pain.
Of course, if you’ve recently injured your back, or have acute pain, please see a GP to make sure they’re happy for you to start exercising.
No! Pilates is a low-impact, low intensity form of exercise, and I’ll adapt all of the movements to provide an appropriate challenge to you, whatever your age or fitness level. It’s a fantastic first step into fitness for those who haven’t exercised in a long time, and it’s a great way to stay mobile. As Joseph Pilates said, “If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.”
I started my Pilates teacher training as a late-40s Type 1 diabetic who had worked behind a desk for years, so there’s nothing stopping you!
Pilates can help you tone your muscles, though it’s a low-intensity form of exercise. As such, for effective weight loss, it should be practised alongside healthy eating and cardio or weights-based training. It complements both of those perfectly, giving you a strong, balanced body that will let you exercise while avoiding injuries.
Pilates can have huge benefits for those who are already active, helping you avoid injuries, strengthen your core and improve the way you move, whether you’re a golfer or a gymnast. You’ll see improvements in flexibility, stability and muscle tone, and the benefits of learning to move in a precise, controlled way will have a positive impact on other sports and activities.
Great – get in touch and let me know!
You’ll need to fill in and return a client enrolment form at least a few days before your first session – I’ll email this over to you. This will let me know your contact details, some information about your health and fitness, and what your aims are so I can put together a suitable programme to make sure you achieve them. This information is kept strictly private according to General Data Protection Regulation laws and is never shared with anyone else.
One-to-one classes are always available – just get in touch with me to book.
For group classes, we work in terms so each week’s session can build on the previous week’s exercises to add new challenges. That way you can see and feel the progress you’re making as you become stronger and more mobile. You’ll also get to know your fellow class members more, which makes the sessions much more fun and supportive. As such, advance booking is essential. If you can’t make it to a lesson, I’ll try to offer an alternative suitable class, but please note that this can’t be guaranteed.
If you’re new to my classes and aren’t sure if you want to commit to a full term, you can either try out a one-to-one session, or book a one-off class (providing there’s availability in a class at a suitable level for you). A single session will cost £12, and if you decide to continue attending, that fee will be taken off the cost of the block booking.
Please arrive five to ten minutes early. That gives you time to let me know if you have any recent fitness issues, and so we can start promptly.
Comfortable clothes that let you move freely. You’ll spend some time lying on your back, front and side, so try to avoid anything with zips or buttons that could be uncomfortable! You won’t need shoes, but please wear socks. You can wear glasses to do Pilates (I often do!), though you may find it more comfortable to remove them for any prone (front-lying) exercises.
A bottle of water – everything else will be provided. Most people prefer to bring their own mat and head cushion though. If you’d like to get a mat in advance, note that Pilates mats are thicker and more cushioned than yoga mats – you’ll want one that’s between 8-15mm deep.
No more than 12. This enables me to give one-to-one attention where needed to ensure correct alignment at all times, and that movements are being done correctly and at an appropriate level to the individual.
If you’ve never done Pilates before, then a private session is a great way to discover the key Pilates principles in a relaxed environment that can be personalised to your needs. It will also help me know which class level will be suitable for you.
While I’d recommend a one-to-one, it’s not required – you can always join a beginners’ course instead.
Of course! Private sessions can be tailored to your specific requirements and ensure personal attention, and are perfect for those who prefer not to exercise in a group environment.
If you’re new to Pilates, or if you want a refresher of the core principals, this is the ideal course for you! You’ll learn the fundamentals of Pilates, which will help with your posture, strength and movement, and enable you to safely progress to the more advanced classes.
We’ll cover breathing correctly, and how your breath can help enable movement or increase stability. You’ll find out how to achieve and maintain a neutral position both while static and moving, and we’ll cover the six starting positions: standing, sitting, prone (lying on your front), supine (lying on your back), four-point kneeling and side-lying. You’ll learn about centring (engaging muscles appropriately for stability), and you’ll become more aware of how your body moves and how you can control it, as well as your correct posture and alignment.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics of alignment, breathing and centring, these classes are the next step! They’ll introduce you to some more complex movements, and some new challenges for your balance, strength and stamina.
A class will begin with gentle movements to help you relax, allowing you to focus on your breathing and become more aware of your alignment as you warm up your body safely. The main part of the class will then take all of your joints through their full range of movement, working all of your muscle groups, with a strong focus on your core – your shoulders, spine and pelvis. These movements will be done in the six Pilates starting positions: standing, supine (lying on your back), prone (lying on your front), sitting, four-point kneeling and side-lying. We’ll then end the class by bringing the focus back onto releasing stress and tension, so you can walk out of the class feeling taller, stronger, more relaxed and full of energy.
During the class, rest assured that you’ll always know exactly what to do, how to do it, and how to make an exercise more or less challenging. I teach by demonstrating new exercises and talking through those you’re familiar with, so you can be confident in how to do them yourself. As you move, I’ll help you find the correct alignment and range of movement using a mixture of verbal and tactile cues so you’re exercising safely and effectively at an appropriate level.
The classes are relaxed and friendly, so if you ever have any questions at any point, you’re always welcome to ask!
Two or three sessions a week is recommended, but if that’s not possible for you, then you’ll still feel the benefits from fewer classes. I’m always happy to give you some suitable exercises you can practise at home between sessions too!
Courses are run in blocks, which are £9 per class (so a six-week course would cost £54, payable in advance). Once you book onto a course, you’ll have a place in that class at the same time each week. If you can’t make it to a class, please let me know as soon as possible so I can try to find a place in another class, but please note that this can’t be guaranteed.
Private one-to-one sessions are £35, payable in advance.
If you can’t make it to a class, please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll try to find a suitable place for you in an alternative class.
If you’re unsure about whether to commit to a full term, I recommend booking a one-to-one session first. Alternatively, you can book a one-off class for £12, providing there’s availability in a class at a suitable level for you. That fee will be taken off the cost of the block booking if you decide to continue attending.
Payment is by bank transfer in advance, or by cheque payable at the first class.
