What do I need to bring to my Pilates class?
Just you and a bottle of water and bank card or cash payment to enrol on the day!
Do I need to bring a mat to my class?
I will have all the equipment (duly sanitised) for to use in class. Covid regulations mean that it is not possible to bring your own mat etc sadly. Please bring your bank card or cash on the day if you would like to purchase your own (brand new) kit for your own personal use.
Pilates Kit for exercise classes- 1. Mat 2. Head/sitting/wrist block 3. Stretching band
A quality 3 part Pilates kit makes all the difference in the world. You need a mat with adequate foam cushioning, (so that your hips/thigh bones aren’t uncomfortable when you are lying on your side) a supportive Head/sitting/wrist block (to help you get close to the correct position if you have a stiff upper back or stiff hips which is almost everyone when they start!) A latex stretch band will help you to be comfortable when stretching the hamstrings and quadriceps without having to twist and strain your upper back and irritate neck problems. It is only when you attempt sitting and stretching positions that you truly realise your limitations!!
Kit Purchase price (if you would like to exercise at home between sessions).
I will happily provide this high spec kit of Eva Foam (which is discounted to students) of mat/block & latex stretch band for you to buy on the day if you want to give yourself the best & most comfortable experience. (£55 for Pilates specific Mat/Block/band – prices tbc) You can of course just use the ones I provide which are duly sanitised.
Of all things it is essential to have the head block/sitting block (there is only one on the market that serves this dual purpose and is the correct height, width and density with adequate comfort level, it is a Pilates product only). It also serves as a wrist comfort aid because of the comfort and density of the material used which helps people who have wrist pain to be able to do the weight bearing exercises. I would advise against yoga or generic fitness blocks but they are too small to sit on securely (you won’t get your pelvis squarely on it) and too hard and too narrow to be really comfortable under your head or wrists. Another key piece of kit is the Pilates stretching band.
What do I need to wear to my Pilates classes?
Top Layers – please wear clothing that allows me to see your muscles working. It does not have to be Lycra or leotards but maybe leggings & a sports top that is not baggy. Please remove dangly or bulky jewellery for your own safety!
Base-layers – Keeping warm when you exercise is vitally important when you are taking part in Pilates exercises classes or outdoor sports like running or cycling in the winter to avoid muscle strain or even worse muscle tears which can halt your progress for weeks. I recommend these superbly warm base layers:
Tights, trousers, made from Roubaix material & available from sports outlets or on line at SJS Cycles www.sjscycles.com, designed for cyclists. These keep your lower back really warm in the coldest temperatures which helps the muscles tightening up which aggravates old injuries & increases the risk of muscle tears whilst running or cycling!
Do I need to bring a drink to my Pilates classes?
It is a good idea to bring a bottle of water to sip during the Pilates exercise segments. It is important to stay hydrated when you exercise and also helps weight loss when you drink enough water routinely!
What if I miss a Pilates class?
I offer you the chance to attend another class within your current booking to make up within the same month (please check floorspace availability for face to face classes first as places are limited due to the requirement to social distance) as a courtesy option. Alternatively you can attend one of my Zoom online sessions where floor space availability is not an issue. My waiting room number is 860 143 1764 (no passcode needed). Please however only use this if really needed so that accurate registers can be maintained in case we need to get in touch in the rare event that a class has to be rescheduled.
What can I do to loosen up my tight muscles?
Attending your Pilates classes each week will loosen you up most effectively but to speed your progress you can book one or more ‘Boost one to one sessions’ with me where I can give you more personal input and correction and advise you on your specific area of concern and teach you how to maintain your improvement going forwards. Additionally I can create a supplementary customised personalised programme, perfect for you, that you can do between sessions that will overcome any current limitations you may have.
What can I do for my tight neck, shoulders, hips, calves or hips?
I can advise on muscle care or general tightness and discomfort caused by sitting, working from home in lockdown etc. I am fully qualified, insured and registered and able to operate as an independent practitioner. (ITEC QCF Body Massage Training Level 3 with additional Deep Tissue qualification).
Please book one or more ‘Boost one to one sessions’ with me for your specific need or attend a Pilates class.
For those who have been referred by a medical practitioner or those wanting to be personally walked through the basics to build a great foundation. This will help you to quickly resolve any difficulties that you have been experiencing. It will boost your progress as the focus is on you alone & is life changing.
One or more one to ones can be booked using my online booking calendar to fit your availability (or you can speak to me to book in). Slots are offered Mon to Fri & Sat am by pre-booking & paying in advance to secure your session. Face to face in your home/at my venues in Bognor Regis/online over Zoom.
What can I do to SAFELY get back to my sport after taking a break?
We need to condition you back into it using a graduated programme to safeguard you as you return to your sport after a break. If you had a break due to injury you need to learn how not to reinjure the site as if you just go back to your sport without addressing the factors that led up to the problem you will reinjure yourself further sadly. Once muscle is torn it becomes less elastic and more prone to future tears.
If you learn how to warm up and stretch properly (and learn what this is actually doing to enhance your performance whilst you are training) you will find that you are going to reach new heights even after a break. Improve your core strength and form and you will have an advantage over your competitors to boot – well worth it. There is no reason to throw the towel in!!
You can actually improve your performance after injury and out-perform those in their 20’s when you learn how to use your technique so that you can work efficiently. You can increase your muscle mass at any age into your 80’s. Joseph Pilates still had a six pack in his 80’s! You will find that almost all professional sports people study Pilates for good reason, the entire Olympic Squad for starters! You can book one or more one to one sessions with me or attend a suitable level class with me. I run classes for sportsmen – ‘Pilates for Sports’.
How can I get rid of my pain as quickly as possible?
You would be able to make the quickest inroads into pain relief by booking one or more ‘Boost one to one sessions.’ alongside a regular weekly class.
We strongly recommend for those who have been referred by a Physio or Doctor that you book one or more one to one sessions to get the best out from your class & to be made aware of customised modifications that you can utilise within the class to give you peace of mind and a good foundation on which to build.
What do I do when my ‘Specialist’ has advised that I do Pilates Exercises?
I have created a ‘beat back pain – one to one 6 week programme’ especially for this which has been really life changing for those who have completed it. Consisting of a full in depth consultation before you start the exercises which built into our initial exercise session (total time 90 mins) and 5 further sessions of 60 mins. If you book this you will be able to take advantage of the built-in discount. I will create for you a personalised and very specific short programme to do between sessions that you will fully understand and this will mean that you will get some initial relief immediately and by the end of six consecutive weeks I can guarantee that you will feel a LOT better and will further understand how to make your movements work for you and not against you.
I will update this for you after each session as needed and email it to you free of charge as part of my aftercare service so that you can progress safely and swiftly. I will also be available to you to support you between sessions if you have any concerns or queries as you start to exercise. You are most welcome to ring or email me as the need arises. I am available Mon to Fri & Sat mornings.
It takes 6 weeks for muscles to develop and that is what we need to achieve. It is by developing the core postural muscles and mobilising the joints that you will feel better. I will also help you to see how you are triggering your pain and give you the understanding and alternatives as to how to keep yourself well in the future within the reality of your lifestyle and time pressures.
All roads lead to Rome but they also lead from Rome!!! Rome is our skeleton, understand that and you will be in the driving seat of your body and merely a passenger. To get the best out of your body you need to take care of it, we grasp when taking care of our car but our body is our one and only vehicle and if we drive it into the ground we can’t buy another one! See my case studies for people who were about to have to give up work or have yet another operation! I helped them get back to work and not need the operation or the medication. Well worth it to get your life back on track! When you have got over the initial critical pain stage in due course you can maintain your improvement in a general class.
What happens if I have a holiday booked during my course?
Course dates can be adjusted to allow for holidays.
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