PILATES & ME

I dabbled in Pilates a few years ago, but it wasn’t a major success. I joined a large drop-in class and, having previously been more of a yoga man, I got pretty lost and spent a few embarrassing hours doing some pretty terrible planks amongst some scornful gazes.

So, undeterred, I joined a class here in Hove back in November as I wanted to start again from scratch. After a great 121 ‘Principles of Pilates’ session I started a beginners mat class at Purely Pilates with the lovely Jane and a fab group of fellow novices.

I have been attending the classes for 6 months now and can safely say I love it.

IT’S NOT JUST THE PELVIC FLOOR…

The Principles of Pilates are broad so we do much more than engage our pelvic floors! As we have all progressed under Jane’s expert eye the classes are much more about using our whole bodies in a precise and controlled way. I have felt the benefit of shoulder, rib cage and hip work especially. I love the precision of the moves and postures, which allied with the correct breathing (working on that!) and placement really activate and strengthen key muscles. As an osteopath I love the emphasis placed on breathing and the thoracic cage as well as the the body as a whole.

PILATES & RUNNING

There is a great deal of (hard) work strengthening the glutes that any runners will know are key for a good technique. We may (gently) curse Jane for some of the tougher movements, but I have really felt the benefit both in my back and hips when running. I love and hate the clam move in equal measure, but I have managed a 10k PB, in large part due to them!

PILATES & BACK PAIN

For the scientists I am afraid this is all about an evidence base of one (me), but I really feel pilates has eased my back aches and pains, especially after running.

I have incorporated a number of movements into more regular stretches and movements I do every day, plus a number of patients have benefited from some lovely, precise exercises to help their backs and hips.

Whether pilates is ‘best’ vs yoga vs gym vs ballroom dancing vs walking the dog for low back pain is a matter for much debate. However, noone disagrees that exercise in all its forms is good, and an hour a week of focused stretching and strengthening with a small group of warm and funny people and a great teacher is a perfect place to start!

PILATES CLASSES

I have found a real benefit of a class with a small number of people (maximum 6 or 7) which means you get some really good support with the precision needed in all the Pilates postures and movements.

For more on classes with Jane click here and for other sessions at Purely Pilates see here.

P.S.

The photo isn’t me (it is a fabulous post clam quad stretch courtesy of Unsplash). I may be getting better but it’s waaaay to early to be sharing any images of my technique…