Article in The Timsbury Letter

Pilates: what it is and who is it for?

Oh, so many people and so many things! Did you know that a German man in the first world war, who worked as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of wight, helped to rehabilitate soldiers by developing his own ideas into exercises and movements. Using equipment and adapting hospital beds allowed the bedbound men rebuild their bodies through movement and strength-training routines. Later on these exercises were adapted so they could be performed on the floor .

This orderly always had an interest in challenging his own abilities in sport and movement even though in the late 19th/early 20 century he was a sickly child with asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. This did not stop him and he went on to become a gymnast, diver and skier. He later became the founder of an exercise and movement program that is still going strong around the world today. The orderly’s name was Joseph Pilates and I have been teaching his 34 exercises and recent adaptations for the past 9 years.

So, what is Pilates I hear you cry?!

Pilates is a low-impact workout that is based on six principles: breath, centring, control, concentration, precision and flow. These elements come into play when working on connection, balance, strength, mobility, and flexibility. I believe Pilates is fundamental to everything we do throughout the day and our lives in general. It supports you, whether you are reaching for something that is up high, or picking up a heavy box through to running a marathon. It can also be good for rehabilitation from an injury, or you have a condition like Parkinson's. The more you put into your Pilates practice the more you get out of it, you will never stop gaining from this form of exercise.

So, what is it like to be in a Body Pace Pilates class?

You will not only be encouraged and supported by myself Claire; to find your full potential in movement, strength and body awareness. You will also be welcomed by the other members of the group of all ages who find the classes a social and fun weekly event. Everyone is included whatever, your ability is.

The classes are run in the YMCA hall in Timsbury on Wednesday evenings for an hour starting at 7.30pm or on Thursday mornings at 9.30am. The Pilates is run in 6-week blocks, each block has a theme running through it, for example the present block is based on balance.

Come and join us and start to feel the benefits!

Body Pace Pilates is run by Claire Meek, contact details are: cm75.pilates@gmail.com
07715552241