Comments from class participants:
‘I am delighted with the improvement in the functioning of my lower back since beginning Pilates.
...I have already recommended Pilates to a number of national sports teams that consult me for
advice … ... thank you for introducing me to Pilates.’ - Clyde Williams, Professor of Sports
Science, Loughborough University
‘I was worried that my body was completely seizing up, but Pilates has done a great job in
keeping me flexible.’ - John
‘I feel so much better for doing Pilates’ - Joan
‘Pilates is the best thing you can do, and working with an instructor who gives time, attention and
patience, like you, is the best. I feel evangelistic about it! - Tanvi
‘I am delighted with the improvement in the functioning of my lower back since beginning Pilates.
...I have already recommended Pilates to a number of national sports teams that consult me for
advice … ... thank you for introducing me to Pilates.’ - Clyde Williams, Professor of Sports
Science, Loughborough University
‘I was worried that my body was completely seizing up, but Pilates has done a great job in
keeping me flexible.’ - John
‘I feel so much better for doing Pilates’ - Joan
‘Pilates is the best thing you can do, and working with an instructor who gives time, attention and
patience, like you, is the best. I feel evangelistic about it! - Tanvi
Pilates...
"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. In order to achieve happiness, it is imperative
to gain mastery of your body. If at the age of 30 you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If at
60 you are supple and strong then you are young." Joseph Pilates
So, what is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise method, designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body to correct
balance. This system of exercise was developed by German fitness trainer Joseph Pilates (1880-
1967) in the early 20th century. He had suffered from poor health but managed to make himself
so fit that he became a model for anatomical charts, a boxer, and an acrobat! He developed his
system of training as an exercise method to improve posture, tone the body, correct muscle
imbalances and connect body and mind. Dancers quickly adopted his method as a way to recover
from injuries and improve performance.
What can it do for me?
Pilates is an invigorating form of exercise for your mind and body that can improve your strength,
flexibility and overall mobility. It helps restore your body to balance. As a result, your posture will
change and you will move more efficiently. You'll achieve a strong core, develop longer, leaner
muscles and improve your overall sense of well being. And, if you are a sports enthusiast, Pilates
can help ‘improve your game’.
Pilates is a safe and effective exercise method that will enable you to look - and feel - your very
best. Best of all, because it gives you such a wonderful sense of well being, you'll want to do
Pilates for the rest of your life.
The benefits acquired from the Pilates exercises when executed regularly and properly can be
considerable. Pilates is beneficial for your general fitness, specific health conditions and most of all
for your overall well being. In our classes, you will learn how your body works and and how to
make it work better, thus improving your performance.
The benefits of Pilates
General fitness
Health conditions
Overall well-being
"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. In order to achieve happiness, it is imperative
to gain mastery of your body. If at the age of 30 you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If at
60 you are supple and strong then you are young." Joseph Pilates
So, what is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise method, designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body to correct
balance. This system of exercise was developed by German fitness trainer Joseph Pilates (1880-
1967) in the early 20th century. He had suffered from poor health but managed to make himself
so fit that he became a model for anatomical charts, a boxer, and an acrobat! He developed his
system of training as an exercise method to improve posture, tone the body, correct muscle
imbalances and connect body and mind. Dancers quickly adopted his method as a way to recover
from injuries and improve performance.
What can it do for me?
Pilates is an invigorating form of exercise for your mind and body that can improve your strength,
flexibility and overall mobility. It helps restore your body to balance. As a result, your posture will
change and you will move more efficiently. You'll achieve a strong core, develop longer, leaner
muscles and improve your overall sense of well being. And, if you are a sports enthusiast, Pilates
can help ‘improve your game’.
Pilates is a safe and effective exercise method that will enable you to look - and feel - your very
best. Best of all, because it gives you such a wonderful sense of well being, you'll want to do
Pilates for the rest of your life.
The benefits acquired from the Pilates exercises when executed regularly and properly can be
considerable. Pilates is beneficial for your general fitness, specific health conditions and most of all
for your overall well being. In our classes, you will learn how your body works and and how to
make it work better, thus improving your performance.
The benefits of Pilates
General fitness
- Improves your posture
- Improves the mobility and flexibility of your spine
- Develops your general muscle tone and flexibility
- Tones your abdomen building your strength without building bulk
- Promotes a more efficient and supportive core
- Increases the stability of your pelvis and shoulders
- Fosters the health of your joints through improved mobility and support from the
surrounding musculature - Complements training for athletes
Health conditions
- Facilitates injury prevention and physical rehabilitation
- Builds better balance and coordination, particularly for the elderly
- Offers a safe and excellent form of exercise for ante and post-natal women
- Alleviates aches and pains
- Helps maintain and can improve your bone density
- Develops the function and efficiency of your lungs with improvement in circulation
- Offers a safe and beneficial form of exercise for a wide range of medical conditions,
including Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, and Multiple Sclerosis
Overall well-being
- Makes you look and feel better
- Relieves stress and tension and promotes a feeling of well-being
- Expands your body awareness
- Integrates mind, body and spirit
- Improves your quality of life
What do I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely - in our classes
we usually work in bare feet. Mats and other equipment such as balls,
latex bands, foam blocks and rollers are provided.
How safe is the class?
Pilates is very safe and is medically approved. It does not build bulky
muscles, instead, it builds strength and improves flexibility. It achieves
this by working from the inside out, building what is termed ‘core
stability’. Pilates instructors are trained to develop exercise programmes
Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely - in our classes
we usually work in bare feet. Mats and other equipment such as balls,
latex bands, foam blocks and rollers are provided.
How safe is the class?
Pilates is very safe and is medically approved. It does not build bulky
muscles, instead, it builds strength and improves flexibility. It achieves
this by working from the inside out, building what is termed ‘core
stability’. Pilates instructors are trained to develop exercise programmes
| © Copyright 2008 - Active Recovery - All Rights Reserved. The Gaia Centre for Holistic Therapy, 17 Frederick Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3BH email: admin@gaiaholistics.co.uk Tel: 01509 551513 |
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| About Pilates |
Helen Arnold
Gaia Pilates Practitioners:
What happens in class?
Based upon an anatomical understanding of the body's muscular and skeletal systems, the Pilates
teacher creates a comprehensive exercise programme for you. Classes will focus on specific
areas individually whilst using exercises that integrate your whole body to re-educate and restore
it to optimum muscular and skeletal function. A programme will be developed specifically for you
and can be changed as you develop. You can learn the basics in private before joining a class
Your teacher can liaise with your physiotherapist so you can be sure you are getting the most
appropriate exercises.
Based upon an anatomical understanding of the body's muscular and skeletal systems, the Pilates
teacher creates a comprehensive exercise programme for you. Classes will focus on specific
areas individually whilst using exercises that integrate your whole body to re-educate and restore
it to optimum muscular and skeletal function. A programme will be developed specifically for you
and can be changed as you develop. You can learn the basics in private before joining a class
Your teacher can liaise with your physiotherapist so you can be sure you are getting the most
appropriate exercises.
for everyone, including the elderly, those recovering from injuries, people with an established
fitness regime and those wishing to improve their fitness levels. It is this holistic approach that
sets Pilates apart from many other forms of exercise. Osteopaths, physiotherapists and general
practitioners recommend Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise today. Pilates can be
beneficial for just about everyone, regardless of age and fitness level.
Pilates exercises focus on precision, control and quality of movement. Your age and fitness level
do not matter. It can work for you. The Pilates system of exercise is based upon non-impact
resistance, making it ideal for injury rehabilitation. When taught by an appropriately trained
teacher, Pilates can be extremely effective and can help you to achieve measurable gains in your
fitness level, and to maintain those improvements for the longer term.
If you are merely out of shape, or if your ability to exercise regularly is affected by chronic back
problems, osteoporosis, sacroiliac pain, neck or shoulder problems or osteoarthritis, then the
Pilates system of exercise has the potential to improve your condition.
Pilates is a safe and suitable form of exercise for all age groups and fitness levels. It can benefit
anyone who wants to improve their health, personal fitness, or the quality of their life.
Furthermore, Pilates is purely about fitness and well being. It offers no supernatural or religious
experience.
fitness regime and those wishing to improve their fitness levels. It is this holistic approach that
sets Pilates apart from many other forms of exercise. Osteopaths, physiotherapists and general
practitioners recommend Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise today. Pilates can be
beneficial for just about everyone, regardless of age and fitness level.
Pilates exercises focus on precision, control and quality of movement. Your age and fitness level
do not matter. It can work for you. The Pilates system of exercise is based upon non-impact
resistance, making it ideal for injury rehabilitation. When taught by an appropriately trained
teacher, Pilates can be extremely effective and can help you to achieve measurable gains in your
fitness level, and to maintain those improvements for the longer term.
If you are merely out of shape, or if your ability to exercise regularly is affected by chronic back
problems, osteoporosis, sacroiliac pain, neck or shoulder problems or osteoarthritis, then the
Pilates system of exercise has the potential to improve your condition.
Pilates is a safe and suitable form of exercise for all age groups and fitness levels. It can benefit
anyone who wants to improve their health, personal fitness, or the quality of their life.
Furthermore, Pilates is purely about fitness and well being. It offers no supernatural or religious
experience.
Pilates Institute
The Pilates Institute is the largest Pilates teacher training company in the UK.
Starting from the original technique as designed by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates
Institute offers a research based programme that has developed with great
success during the last 8 years.
The Pilates Institute is the largest Pilates teacher training company in the UK.
Starting from the original technique as designed by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates
Institute offers a research based programme that has developed with great
success during the last 8 years.
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