Mat Classes

These classes are done in blocks of six weeks, with a maximum of 12 people in each class.

After completing a beginners workshop or two private lessons you’ll be placed in a class appropriate for your level. Most people start with Level 1.

At the start of each six weeks you’ll be given a lesson plan with approximatelya 20 exercises. These are to help you remember what you’re learning so that ifa you like, you’ll be able to practice at home.

I know everyone leads busy lives but just 5 minutes a day can make a big difference. Keeping to the same format helps you learn the exercises and improve your movements. Repetition is very important as it:

1. enables you to un-learn “faulty recruitment patterns” (habitual bad habits);

2. be able to “feel” the right movements; and

3. gradually master the technique of each exercise.

At the start of each class I always say “and how are all the bodies today,a anything new to report?” I encourage every member to let me know if they’ve got a bad back, neck ache, knee pain or any other physical problem that might effect them in class. That way I can adapt an exercise to suit them, often 3 or 4 people in a class may be doing something different to everyone else.

Listen to your own body, don’t struggle on and think “I mustn’t make a fuss”.

I do not adhere to that dreadful cliché “no pain, no gain”. If you’ve had a hard day, do one repetition and rest one, feeling “tired” is a reason to be gentle with yourself.

Take things calmly and by the end of class you might feel like a different person. Very often clients say “I nearly didn’t come tonight because I felt so exhausted, but I feel so much better now”.

With all my beginners you learn how to relax, breathe laterally, concentrate on good alignment and start finding out how to use the muscles that will give you good core stability.

As you progress I add balance, co-ordination, intensity and stamina work. By the time you’re in Level 3, weights and Pilates Rings are added to help develop these areas.

My Intermediate class is the hardest class that I teach in a group format.

The addition of Gym Balls and other small pieces of equipment increases the intensity of the work-out. I also incorporate many of the “classic mat” exercises which require a high level of skill and a strong body. It is 1½ hours of hard work and will take most people two years to reach this level.

We all progress at different rates, but as a soon as I think you are ready I will move you up to a harder class.

As I am a supervising teacher I sometimes have student teachers in class. They may teach a couple of exercises and help to go round making corrections. If you don’t want a student teacher to help you, that’s fine, just let me know and they won’t come near you!

I only have one student teacher in any class. Most of my clients make full ause of their enthusiasm and input, but the choice is always yours.

For various reasons sometimes you reach a plateau beyond which you probably won’t progress. You’ve found the level that suits you and that you enjoy. Having a new set of exercises every six weeks brings a freshness to your workouts and helps you not to get bored. If you wish to stay where you are, you can! I’m not a slave driver!

Ultimately Pilates could help you to enjoy your life to the full, be able to participate in any sport of your choice and keep a strong functioning body well into your eighties.

Private Lessons in the Studio

These are either personal training sessions or for couples. These lessons are targeted to your specific needs. People with chronic problems often benefit more from one-to-one tuition. If you feel inhibited in a group situation or your work schedule makes it difficult to stick to the set time table of mat classes then individual lessons may be right for you.

Serious athletes/dancers find the structure of private lessons helpful as more advanced work can be taught, thereby enhancing their performance.

I use the Reformer and other pieces of Pilates equipment to give more feed back and increase the intensity of their workouts.

I try to make all my lessons safe, effective and enjoyable. I think Pilates is a great form of mind-body exercise, but it many not suit everyone.

The main thing is to enjoy your workouts and commit to taking some form of regular exercise. We only “own” one thing, our bodies. Treat your body well and be gentle with yourself.

Qualifications

January 2008 Chair 1 Basics and Intermediate

June 2008 Advanced Matwork Course

July 2007 Body Control Pilates Cadillac coursebeginners and intermediate.

April 2003 Body Control® Pilates Essential Skills Reformer
April 2002 Body Control® Pilates Intermediate Mat Work Course
November 1999 Body Control® Pilates Mat Work

August 2006 Advanced Instructor Level 3 The Register of Exercise Professionals

London Central YMCA Training and Development & The Royal Society of Arts

March 1996 Nutrition and Weight Management
October 1992 Fitness Training (Weights & Circuits)
October 1990 50+
May 1990 Ante & Post Natal

July 1989 Exercise to Music

July 1972 Graduated from Arts Educational School
Major Exams I.S.T.D. & R.A.D.