Peta's A-Z of Pilates: H is for ...

H is for ...

Holding

Holding a movement in space allows us to intensify the muscle action.

This should not be confused with holding your breath, which is not helpful because it restricts the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles. And we don't want you to pass out!

Holding a movement for a few counts concentrates the contraction or the lengthening of a muscle and is very beneficial. It works the muscles at a deeper level and stimulates them to fire-up and strengthen.

This also applies to stretching movements, if they are performed slowly and with care we can benefit from holding the end range movement for a few counts before returning to the starting position.

Would you like to try Pilates in our studio? Book your free no-obligation trial session by clicking here.

Peta's A-Z of Pilates: G is for ...

In Peta's A-Z of Pilates, G is for ...

Goals

Setting yourself achievable goals will help focus your mind on what you want to get from your Pilates. Make your goals "SMART": Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.

Specific: We all want to 'get fitter', but it's more useful to know what particular aspects of fitness you are you going to work on. This also helps to keep your goals measurable...

Measurable: Giving yourself a goal that can be quantified with time, reps, or distance is ideal. This could be as simple as being able to touch your toes in a forward bend! When you can measure your progress towards your goal, you will be motivated to keep working at it.

Achievable: Get help from your Pilates teacher to identify goals that are important for you, and how to reach them within your range of abilities and within your budget.

Realistic: If your goal is measurable and achievable it is also likely to be realistic - you need to be able to get there as the person you are today, not as an imaginary perfect version of yourself.

Timed: Without a deadline you are less likely to succeed. Thinking about when you want to achieve your goal will also help you plan how you will fit your Pilates practice into your life.

7 Top Tips for Pilates Day

7 Top Tips for Pilates Day ...that you can do right now!

1. Stretch your spine out. Reach your arms above your head, and lift your ribs up away from your hips ... feels lovely. Try and do this every day.

2. Correct your posture. Stand with your shoulders and bottom against a wall, just touching it but not leaning. Now gently press the back of your head towards the wall.

3. Squeeze your pelvic floor by rocking your hips forwards, backwards, and side to side.

4. Walk tall! Look straight ahead not at the ground.

5. Support your back by placing a rolled up towel or lumbar support behind your lower back.

6. Reduce joint stiffness by circling your ankles, wrists, and shoulders.

7. Ease stress by breathing deeply into your lungs. Place your hands on your rib-cage, and inhale so that your hands move away from one another as your ribs expand.

Have a happy and relaxing Pilates Day!

Funny Caption Competition

Make us giggle with a funny caption for this image 

to win a free Pilates Assessment worth £57!

Submit your entry to pilatesplace@btconnect.com by midnight on Friday 12th May 2017, to be in with a chance to win a free Pilates Assessment worth £57 at Pilates Place. Good luck!

Peta's A-Z of Pilates: F is for ...

In Peta's A-Z of Pilates, F is for ...

Flow

Flowing moves are achieved when the body is balanced. With practice extraneous movements can be eliminated from our movement patterns, which in turn allows for a more smooth and graceful movement to develop.

We should strive to perform exercises with precision and care and let our movements flow naturally from one exercise to the next.

Never tried Pilates? Click here to book your free no-obligation trial today!

Peta's A-Z of Pilates: E is for ...

The energy we expend when exercising should be just the right amount, so in Peta's A-Z of Pilates, E is for ...

Energy

The energy we expend when exercising should be just the right amount not too much and not too little. This may seem like an obvious thing to say but if when you perform a particular exercise and you use too much energy, other parts of the body will be engaging unnecessarily and using up precious energy.

When performing an exercise we need to use the least amount of energy we possibly can. When the body is in total balance our energy consummation is at is optimum, you will be using just the right amount to complete the movement. Extraneous movements should be eliminated to conserve energy for when we need it.

When your posture is in perfect balance and alignment, you will not feel any group of muscles working harder than another. They are all working equally to minimise the energy consumption.

Exciting times and new beginnings!

Over the last 12 years we have had amazing success and growth thanks to our wonderful customers and longstanding members.

As a result, we have outgrown our old studio in Stratford upon Avon, so we're opening a bigger, better Pilates Place! (Members who currently use the Stratford studio will be pleased to know that the new studio is also in Stratford.)

Peta outside the new studio at Payton House

We are thrilled to announce that we will be in our new home at the beginning of October 2016 ... with more space, more equipment, new classes, and a couple of new staff members. Exciting times are ahead for Pilates Place!

More information will be released very very soon, but for now ... watch this space!