Who does Pilates?

marmiterulesok

I've been going now,once a week,for almost three months,and really feel the benefit.
I'm amazed at how many different kinds of movement and exercise it incorporates.No one session is ever the same.
I just love it.
Any one else?

trailingspouse

Hello again marmite!!

Yes, I swear by it. It helped my neck when I'd been suffering from whiplash for 2 years (the Egyptian - I could feel everything slotting back into position), and if I miss a few sessions I'm more prone to getting a bad back.

jackyann

I am one of those unco-ordinated people for whom many simple exercises are a battle!
There seem to be a number of systems that encourage core stability, and of these, I found pilates the one that suited me best. I use the body control method - I was recommended an instructor by a physio I was seeing. I did 2 1to1 introductory sessions then attended classes, and stuck with the same method when I moved to a different part of the country.
My physio said "don't go to a large class - like some church halls or gyms, go to an instructor who will look at each student individually during a lesson, and help position you". My class had a maximum of 10.

My instructor charges £10 each class; for various reasons I have taken to doing exercise on my own, then pay £40 a month for a 1to1 to keep making sure I'm doing it right! It has made me much more aware and better balanced, although that still probably puts me at just below average!

Our local NHS physios do a 6 week introduction to pilates for their patients, then suggest you find an instructor or continue on your own.

trolleyrun

I do pilates, and have done for about 3 years. I love it! My GP told me to go, as my back was very bad. After a few sessions, my back was better and these days I rarely have any back problems. My instructor is brilliant, and comes up with new challenges all the time, so it never gets boring. My balance is also much better My stomach is flatter, and I can feel the muscles in my abs. Actually, when I tense my abs, they're rock hard

marmiterulesok

trailingspouse wrote: »

Hello again marmite!!

Yes, I swear by it. It helped my neck when I'd been suffering from whiplash for 2 years (the Egyptian - I could feel everything slotting back into position), and if I miss a few sessions I'm more prone to getting a bad back.

Hi again trailing spouse!I've had recurrent back problems and sciatica in the past.I'm been more or less fine for over a year.I think that swimming regularly has helped too.Glad that it helps you.What do you mean by Egyptian?

jackyann wrote: »

I am one of those unco-ordinated people for whom many simple exercises are a battle!
There seem to be a number of systems that encourage core stability, and of these, I found pilates the one that suited me best. I use the body control method - I was recommended an instructor by a physio I was seeing. I did 2 1to1 introductory sessions then attended classes, and stuck with the same method when I moved to a different part of the country.
My physio said "don't go to a large class - like some church halls or gyms, go to an instructor who will look at each student individually during a lesson, and help position you". My class had a maximum of 10.

My instructor charges £10 each class; for various reasons I have taken to doing exercise on my own, then pay £40 a month for a 1to1 to keep making sure I'm doing it right! It has made me much more aware and better balanced, although that still probably puts me at just below average!

Our local NHS physios do a 6 week introduction to pilates for their patients, then suggest you find an instructor or continue on your own.

I agree,it's best not to start off in a big group.I started off one-to- one for the first month,then progressed to two-to-one.I don't want to start making mistakes that are not spotted by the instructor ,and then become ingrained.I go once a week.

trolleyrun wrote: »

I do pilates, and have done for about 3 years. I love it! My GP told me to go, as my back was very bad. After a few sessions, my back was better and these days I rarely have any back problems. My instructor is brilliant, and comes up with new challenges all the time, so it never gets boring. My balance is also much better My stomach is flatter, and I can feel the muscles in my abs. Actually, when I tense my abs, they're rock hard

Sounds like it's done you the world of good.:)Every week is different with my instructor too,which is good.It's amazing how many exercises that can be done at home.
I have a chronic illness,which for now is stable,but could mean that I face disability in the future.I had thought of a gym,but hearing how Pilates strengthens the core and helps balance,made it sound just what I need.

trailingspouse

The Egyptian - lay on your back, engage core, breathe.

Stretch your arms up to the ceiling, then move them so that your upper arms are on the floor out to the sides, but your forearms are still pointing at the ceiling (easier than it sounds!!). Then keep your upper arms on the floor out to the sides and tip your forearms over backwards so they are also on the floor (you might not be able to manage this first time). In this position you look like an Egyptian hieroglyph, hence the name. Finally slide your arms, still on the floor, so that they are pointing up above your head, and then bring them back to the starting position pointing at the ceiling.

The first time I did it, I couldn't get my arms down to the floor, but with practice that got better. And at the point where you slide your arms up, I could feel all sorts of clicking and clunking in my neck. The relief was almost instantaneous. For a while I did it 2-3 times every day, then I just did it if my neck felt tense, and now I just do it occasionally if I feel I need it.

marmiterulesok

trailingspouse wrote: »

The Egyptian - lay on your back, engage core, breathe.

Stretch your arms up to the ceiling, then move them so that your upper arms are on the floor out to the sides, but your forearms are still pointing at the ceiling (easier than it sounds!!). Then keep your upper arms on the floor out to the sides and tip your forearms over backwards so they are also on the floor (you might not be able to manage this first time). In this position you look like an Egyptian hieroglyph, hence the name. Finally slide your arms, still on the floor, so that they are pointing up above your head, and then bring them back to the starting position pointing at the ceiling.

The first time I did it, I couldn't get my arms down to the floor, but with practice that got better. And at the point where you slide your arms up, I could feel all sorts of clicking and clunking in my neck. The relief was almost instantaneous. For a while I did it 2-3 times every day, then I just did it if my neck felt tense, and now I just do it occasionally if I feel I need it.

Well,I've tried it.It does seem deceptively easy,but I don't think I've got it right.