Pilates is great for everyone from children to pregnant women to athletes to the elderly and everything in between. Pilates is often recommended by doctors and physios and promoted as a safe form of exercise. So, it must be safe, right?
Pilates is safe for almost everyone, but not all exercises are safe for every individual. The exercises (or repertoire) we choose varies depending on who is in front of us. Your instructor needs to know you as an individual. Different injuries or conditions will determine whether an exercise is safe for you.
A well trained instructor and small class sizes help ensure your Pilates workout is safe for you. Small class sizes also mean you receive personalised instruction – the instructor can explain the best way to do an exercise so that you get the most benefit.
Certain movements within a Pilates studio,when performed incorrectly, can cause discomfort. Having good communication with your instructor allows you to explain what you are feeling. The instructor can then help find a better way to performing the exercise – it might be an adjustment to how you are approaching it or providing a support. For example, it is common to feel neck pain when performing a chest lift or crunch. A good instructor can watch your form and explain how to position your head and body in such a way that you use more abdominal muscle strength and less pull on your neck.
Within a Pilates studio, we don’t adopt a ‘no pain, no gain’ approach. We aim for you to feel your muscles working but, generally, you don’t work through pain and discomfort. Pain is the body’s way of telling you something isn’t right and being able to listen to your body will prevent injury. Being able to adapt and find better muscle engagement, helps ensure you avoid pain and injury.
My equipment classes have two people per class so I get to know you as an individual and build programs that accommodate your needs.
I hold a Diploma level qualification, which required hundreds of hours of training in the Pilates method and on all the main pieces of Pilates equipment.
I understand how to adapt programs to suit your needs and keep you safe.
If you have complex medical needs that are beyond my scope of practice, I will refer you to an appropriately qualified specialist who can help manage your needs.