Pilates Technique

Included within courses and retreats if you choose 11.00 - 12.00 Physical session.

The aim of the Pilates Technique is to carry out the sequence of movements in a controlled, flowing way, maintaining a constant connection between mind, body and breath. Pilates improves shape, flexibility and body structure, within 5 days you’ll feel the difference, in 10 you’ll visibly see the difference and 15 you’ll have a new body. Pilates is a body conditioning method that targets the deep postural muscles which builds strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment, it also promotes stability in the ‘core’ or centre of the body as well as the shoulder girdle.

It helps to reshape your body, which will become longer, leaner and more toned. It will also improve your posture, achieving the perfect balance between strength and flexibility, and is a great way to relieve unwanted stress and tension.

Originally developed by German born Joseph Pilates in the early 1900's, the technique has evolved, taking on various forms. A frail child, he turned to physical fitness programs to improve his body image, becoming a keen sportsman who developed talents in sports as varied as diving, gymnastics and boxing. He studied many different disciplines and drawing from each of them, formulated a system that worked for his own body – this became known as the Pilates method. During World War 1, Pilates used his knowledge of strengthening the body to rehabilitate injured soldiers. He later operated his own exercise studio in New York, where many dancers, athletes and actresses were attracted to his training methods. They found that his exercises perfected and complemented their traditional needs – building strength without adding bulk, balancing that strength with flexibility, and achieving the perfect harmony between mind and body. Pilates still attracts many leading figures from the worlds of the performing arts and top sports, where it is extensively in rugby, football, athletics and cricket training.

Pilates offers both mental and physical training. By improving body awareness and focus, tension is released from the body and correct postural alignment is taught. One is encouraged to breathe more efficiency by breathing laterally into the lower ribcage. The creation of a girdle of strength is one of the primary aims of the method and is achieved by strengthening the core postural muscles that stabilise the torso. By correcting imbalances, sound muscle recruitment patterns are encouraged and the body is realigned. Precise, controlled flowing movements means that the muscles and ligament damage, sometimes associated with other fitness regimes, is avoided – Pilates, in fact plays a key role in many injury rehabilitation programmes in dance, sport and general practice.

Based on a well constructed philosophical foundation, the core of the method is ‘awareness of your own body’ and each and every exercise is built around its eight key principles;

* Relaxation,
* Breathing,
* Concentration,
* Flowing movement,
* Alignment,
* Co-ordination,
* Centring,
* Stamina.

By bringing together body and mind, Pilates literally teaches you to be in control of your body, and allows you to handle stress more effectively and achieve relaxation more easily.

Teresa experienced Pilates concept at Laban Centre of Movement and Dance, the Centre has a complete Pilate’s studio which I used to complement my performance training in ballet and contemporary dance. I have continued to use this technique to maintain my performance condition.During the course I specifically aim to create muscle balance in your body, greater coordination of movement and control of the abdominals and breathing. My ability to both modify and progress you through each repetition of a set exercise, encourages the use of the body as a whole unit.