PILATES
Mat Pilates & Clinical Pilates
What is Pilates?
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, a professional dancer, in the 1920s. Its main purpose was to aid rehabilitation and functional movement. As an overview, Pilates is a form of exercise that utilises a person’s body weight or equipment for resistance. It combines movement and breath control to improve muscle control, flexibility, coordination and strength. Pilates increases awareness of the body, improves efficiency of movement and body alignment and establishes good breathing technique.
The exercises are based on a non-impact exercise system that develops a strong and flexible torso and a stabilised core (abdominal, back and pelvis muscles). The Pilates philosophy is that the whole body can be conditioned to be balanced and aligned for optimal performance – helping people of all ages and at all levels of fitness to function well in their body so they enjoy each day.
Pilates is a great way to:
Improve general health and fitness:
Tones and strengthens the body and improves flexibility
Alleviate pain:
Helps to relieve back, neck, hip and other joint and muscular-related stress
Prevent injuries:
Aids in the prevention of injuries and safely rehabilitates joints and spinal injuries
Relax:
Helps relieve stress and tension of the shoulders, neck and upper back
MAT PILATES
Mat Pilates is a type of low-impact exercise that involves slow, controlled movements to develop core strength and improve flexibility, balance, and posture – without large equipment and upon the floor, using body weight for resistance. It is undertaken in a class setting. Pilates incorporates controlled breathing, which can help you deepen a stretch, perform at a higher level, and reduce stress.
Gayle has been offering Mat Pilates classes for more than 15 years in a dedicated boutique studio space that caters for classes of up to 8.
Who can do it: Mat Pilates is suitable for all ages and bodies, including beginners and people with health conditions. It's a good option for people looking to improve their core strength, flexibility, balance, and posture. It is also suitable both pre and post natal.
Gayle’s small class sizes mean participants’ individual needs and health concerns are catered for, ensuring the type of personalised service that makes you feel seen and cared for.
What's Best For Me?
There is no right or wrong answer when choosing between Mat Pilates and Clinical Pilates. The benefits of both are insurmountable and which type is best is dependent upon your goals and focus. If you are looking to focus on overall health and wellbeing, then Mat Pilates classes may be the best option.
However, if you have had a nagging injury that won’t go away or recent surgery, injury, or area that needs addressing then it is likely Clinical Pilates is the best route for you to take. A 1:1 clinical assessment will be able to help identify the root cause of your problem, and your exercises can be mixed with home exercises and myotherapy to ensure that you are receiving the best possible treatment for you as an individual.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about Clinical Pilates and whether it’s right for you, contact Gayle today.
CLINICAL PILATES
Pilates and Clinical Pilates (now known as clinical rehabilitation or clinical exercise) may sound like two sides of the same coin but, in reality, there are several differences in practice, purpose, and methods.
Clinical Pilates is client-specific, meaning that it takes into account an individual’s specific injuries and physical needs, instead of having a number of participants complete the same program. There are multiple benefits to this including, improvements in posture, flexibility, muscle strength, control, balance and core and Gayle’s area of specialisation- pelvic floor strengthening.
Gayle’s Clinical Pilates classes have a maximum of 4 people, each undertaking exercises individualised to their overall aims and their physical movement needs on that particular day. Participants use Pilates Reformer machines, as well as other specialised equipment.
Before commencing these classes, participants engage in a one-on-one clinical assessment with Gayle where she uses her expert knowledge and training to develop a program tailored to individual needs and concerns. This could include improving movement, balance or strength, addressing the source of pain or rehabilitation from injury. This level of personalisation is unique to Clinical Pilates classes and reduces the risk of aggravating and re-injuring.
Gayle’s Clinical Pilates are undertaken in her dedicated studio.