September Newsletter - Power Of Pilates

Celebrity Pilates fan... Rachel Weisz

"If you diet away your curves, you're dieting away your femininity. I don't really have a magic potion or pill... I do Pilates"
Rachel Weisz

Pilates: does it make you more attractive?

Well if the results of Quirkology are to be believed, then yes! A survey of 6,000 people asked which sporting activity makes the opposite gender more attractive. Results revealed that men were most attracted to women into aerobics (70%) and Yoga / Pilates (65%). Unfortunately, the guys out there may want to keep their Pilates classes quiet... Pilates got only 20% of the womens vote - it seems you need to take up climbing (57%) or extreme sports (56%) to get the girls!
Read the full article here.

The Deadly Art of Pilates...

Indoor Wall Climbing

The date for the indoor climbing wall has been set for Wednesday 1st October at 8pm. This is a private hire for 12 people at Wellington College, and includes 2 instructors, all equipment and an hour and a half of climbing. There are a couple of spaces left if anyone would like to come along. Cost is approx £10.00 per person (max) depending on final numbers. Please contact me asap to confirm your space.

Flexible friend!

The new cycle of classes start next week, and as always, we aim to be as flexible as possible and continue to offer you the opportunity to make up missed classes (subject to availability) in the event of holidays etc. We have been able to be very flexible throughout the summer holidays but with the busy season upon us now, we do need you to give us the required 24 hours notice if you are going to miss a class. For further information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

It seems to be catching on...

Thank you to Becci and Adele for sending in the following photos of Ethan and Marney. Although someone needs to tell Marney that holding the ball on your tummy is cheating...

Ethan doing 'Clams'

Marney doing 'The Hundred'

Key Principles of Pilates: Control & Alignment

Control: control every movement. Do not allow your posture to slump, your legs to flop or your belly to pot - to gain maximum benefit from Pilates you must keep all your movements slow, controlled and precise. In Pilates the quality of the movement is valued far higher than the quantity. Some people can find an exercise easy, only to find that they are simply 'going through the motion' and not recruiting the correct muscles to control the movement. Fast and sloppy is easy - slow and controlled demands muscle endurance, concentration and precision.

Alignment: it is important to align the body correctly before executing a movement in order to perform the exercise safely and accurately. Maintaining the alignment throughout the movement is just as important. Poor alignment builds muscle imbalances and can stress the joints. Alignment starts with your feet and knees, going all the way up to your pelvis, shoulders and your head and neck.