It is important  to distinguish between Pilates style classes, and classes taught using the ‘Pilates Classical Mat Method’ introduced by Joseph Pilates. Many class members are referred to Pilates as a beneficial form of exercise to help them correct posture, back, joint or specific movement problems. If they attend a class that is not taught using the method then they will not gain the necessary benefits and even more importantly, they may aggravate structural problems further.

There are many classes that are taught in more of a fitness, dynamic movement way that use the title Pilates, but the exercises are not taught or executed using the 6 principles of the Pilates method. These classes are body conditioning as they do not use the classical mat methodology. These classes are often fun and dynamic and improve general fitness and certainly have a place in our timetable choices, but they should be very clear that they are not taught using the Pilates Method.

These classes are often hard for our class members to differentiate from Pilates classes because they use the same titles for exercise positions as the Pilates classical mat positions. The first point of clarification is that it is not the exercise positions that make a class ‘Pilates’. i.e. The Teaser exercise is seen in other workouts such as ‘Boat’ in Yoga or ‘V’ sit in other exercise programmes. What makes it Pilates is when taught within the 6 principles of the classical method. Any exercise can be taught within method and it becomes a Pilates method exercise. This gives us a world of content choice.

Joseph Pilates identified the method of teaching exercise using the science of ‘control’ and breath. Practiced fully, Pilates benefits include, “increased lung capacity and circulation through deep breathing, strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles, coordination, muscular and mental strength, posture, balance, and core strength” (Joseph Pilates). These benefits are lost if the method is not used during teaching.

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Credit to Gillian Cummings-Bell of Drummond Education for both the information, the instruction and much of the inspiration for my own Pilates Instructor journey thus far. Some of you will have met Gillian at the guest session she conducted on 27th September 2017.

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Monday Evening Classes 

Monday evenings in The Heath Village Hall at either 1815 or 1930.  Classes costs £45 per month, paid monthly in advance. 

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Pilates is not a discipline from which you can sufficiently benefit if you do not attend regularly – hence there not being any form of ‘drop in’ option for sporadic attendance. 

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Studio Sessions - various times available - by arrangement

 

In July 2021 an 8 metre by 5 metre custom built studio was erected at Look After Yourself LN5 HQ. This fantastic facility is available for bespoke studio sessions. For Pilates this is an ideal opportunity for any clients unable to attend in the evenings.  See 'Studio Sessions' from the main menu to find out more. 

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How to Book

If you would like more information please either message the Look After Yourself LN5 Facebook Page or use the contact form and I will get back to you with more detail and how to book.  Once booked in for your first class you will be asked to complete and sign a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and sign a booking and payment process client agreement.  

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Pilates Frequently Asked Questions - click here.

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The Look After Yourself LN5 Privacy Policy can be found through the link at the top of this page.

To read more about the benefits of Pilates and why I run the classes, but also to hear from clients that have been coming to me since 2017 please see the pinned post on the Facebook page here

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