What to expect from a matwork class at Worth Pilates?
My aim is to help you to move more effortlessly and freely in your everyday life, “oiling” the joints with gentle controlled movements and helping you to develop both strength and mobility in a balanced way.
Each class includes several day-to-day "natural movements" such as squatting, rolling, crawling, getting up and down from the floor, and sitting or standing with great posture. These are the essential movements that our bodies need to do well for healthy day-to-day living. But to optimise our ability to perform these familiar yet surprisingly complicated movements well, a class will include exercises targeted at each joint: the hips, knees, feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, wrists and of course the spine. Sometimes to do the big familiar, everyday movements with fluidity and ease we need to “look under the microscope” at how our joints are working and Pilates is wonderful for doing just that and for teaching you high-quality movement to carry into your everyday lives.
Very often stiffness, joint problems and balance- or movement difficulties can be caused by alignment issues and so our exercises focus on how we align or “stack” the different parts of our body for optimal effect, reducing wear and tear on the joints, maximising the bone-building capability of every movement and allowing our muscles to work in the most coordinated way possible.
Every class includes a variety of standing, seated, kneeling and lying exercises using small equipment (such as resistance bands, balls, foam rollers, weights and toning circles) or just gravity to strengthen and mobilise the main joints of the body. We learn how breathing well can really help you to move well and how it is crucial for building a strong yet adaptable “core” as well as helping you to relax at the end of the day.
Being able to focus on detailed movements at specific joints means that we can adjust each exercise to be safe and beneficial for those of you with, for example, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hip or knee replacements etc. But we can also tweak each movement to make it more challenging, highlighting when and where your body might be cheating and showing you how to get more "bang for your buck" with every exercise.
Class members often comment that they have developed a greater body awareness, learning how to move differently and move well so that previously stiff, immobile or painful areas of their body can now move with greater ease. Others say that they feel taller and more lengthened at the end of each class. While newcomers sometimes comment that although the movements might look easy, they can really feel every exercise making a such a positive difference to how they feel.
Each class includes several day-to-day "natural movements" such as squatting, rolling, crawling, getting up and down from the floor, and sitting or standing with great posture. These are the essential movements that our bodies need to do well for healthy day-to-day living. But to optimise our ability to perform these familiar yet surprisingly complicated movements well, a class will include exercises targeted at each joint: the hips, knees, feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, wrists and of course the spine. Sometimes to do the big familiar, everyday movements with fluidity and ease we need to “look under the microscope” at how our joints are working and Pilates is wonderful for doing just that and for teaching you high-quality movement to carry into your everyday lives.
Very often stiffness, joint problems and balance- or movement difficulties can be caused by alignment issues and so our exercises focus on how we align or “stack” the different parts of our body for optimal effect, reducing wear and tear on the joints, maximising the bone-building capability of every movement and allowing our muscles to work in the most coordinated way possible.
Every class includes a variety of standing, seated, kneeling and lying exercises using small equipment (such as resistance bands, balls, foam rollers, weights and toning circles) or just gravity to strengthen and mobilise the main joints of the body. We learn how breathing well can really help you to move well and how it is crucial for building a strong yet adaptable “core” as well as helping you to relax at the end of the day.
Being able to focus on detailed movements at specific joints means that we can adjust each exercise to be safe and beneficial for those of you with, for example, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hip or knee replacements etc. But we can also tweak each movement to make it more challenging, highlighting when and where your body might be cheating and showing you how to get more "bang for your buck" with every exercise.
Class members often comment that they have developed a greater body awareness, learning how to move differently and move well so that previously stiff, immobile or painful areas of their body can now move with greater ease. Others say that they feel taller and more lengthened at the end of each class. While newcomers sometimes comment that although the movements might look easy, they can really feel every exercise making a such a positive difference to how they feel.
"I enjoy the way you plan each class, that you demonstrate the exercise, and that you make sure we are in the right position. I have been doing Pilates for 7 years and I am still learning, from you, how to position myself correctly. I appreciate the fact that you are aware of each individual's difficulties and will offer alternate exercises."
Gentle Seated Exercise Classes
Following the success of my Pilates matwork classes at Bramble Hall, I am pleased to announce a weekly Pilates-based exercise class where you “don’t need to lie down on a mat”. Especially suitable for for the over 75s, each session will include seated exercises using weights, bands, balls and “Toning Circles” for a gentle but challenging workout.
In my small and welcoming classes we will work our core postural muscles, strengthening our backs and shoulders to "beat the slouch". We focus on breathing well while we exercise our arms, legs and hips, strengthening our muscles and reducing stiffness in our joints and all without lying down on the floor!! We also focus on maintaining flexibility and strength in our feet, ankles, hands and wrists, which are so important for day-to-day living. Classes are small (maximum 8) so that everyone can receive plenty of attention and assistance if needed.
In my small and welcoming classes we will work our core postural muscles, strengthening our backs and shoulders to "beat the slouch". We focus on breathing well while we exercise our arms, legs and hips, strengthening our muscles and reducing stiffness in our joints and all without lying down on the floor!! We also focus on maintaining flexibility and strength in our feet, ankles, hands and wrists, which are so important for day-to-day living. Classes are small (maximum 8) so that everyone can receive plenty of attention and assistance if needed.
Customers say: "I have noticed that I am walking more easily"
"I can recommend this relaxed and carefully structured way to improve & maintain overall fitness"
"In just 5 weeks I feel more upright and mobile!"
"I can recommend this relaxed and carefully structured way to improve & maintain overall fitness"
"In just 5 weeks I feel more upright and mobile!"
Enrolling in a class
Before joining a class you will be asked to complete an enrolment form, where you can give details of any injuries or medical conditions as well as describing any exercise goals you may have. If you are new to Pilates, it is important to attend at least one 1:1 session before joining an existing class (unless a Beginners class is available.). This enables us to discuss the information on your enrolment form and allows you to begin to 'learn the basics' of Pilates. These valuable Introductory Sessions also provide opportunity for individual assessment and advice before joining a group class.
It may also be necessary to attend a 1:1 session if you have certain injuries or medical conditions, in order to determine which group class would be most suitable or if private sessions would be most appropriate for you at this time.
It may also be necessary to attend a 1:1 session if you have certain injuries or medical conditions, in order to determine which group class would be most suitable or if private sessions would be most appropriate for you at this time.
Email karen@worthpilates.co.uk
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Body Control Pilates® is a registered Trademark used under licence.
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