About Yoga & Pilates

Yoga

Yoga is one of india's ancient philosophies based on strenhtneing your physical, mental and sopirutal capabilities to ex[erience overall health and happiness and imporev the quality of your life.

Yoga as a generic term refers to a way of life incorporating physical postures, breathing exercises and mediation designed to imporve health and well-being. Yoga is taken from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meanining "union". Of all forms of movement, yoga is a one of the most universally recommended and one of the most effective from a holistic standpoint.

Whether a beginner to yoga, intermediate or advanced or withing a particular stage of your life cycle such as pregnancy, we encourage you to practice yoga in a comfortable ecological environment. Our classes and courses will not only improve physical fitness but encourage deep realxation, improve self-confidence and heighten consciousness, re-energize and reconnect your body and mind.

The Benefits of Yoga

Mental Benefits

  • Helps relieve anxiety and stress
  • Calms and trains the mind
  • Increases concentrations, motivation and focus
  • Increases energy levels
  • Balances the body on an energetic level encouraging emotional stability
  • Improves mental clarity
  • Increases self-awareness and self-acceptance
  • Encourages confidence and improved self-esteem
  • Provides deep relaxation
  • Provides a sense of overall well-being and happiness

Physical Benefits

  • Increases strength and muscle tone
  • Corrects postural imblanaces and related problems and softens muscular tension
  • Increases overall fitness and cardiovascular activity
  • Promotes weight loss
  • Increases flexibility
  • Increases balance, coordination and overall body awareness
  • Tones internal organs and promotes the purification of the body by releasing toxins and waste
  • Balances the nervous and endocrine systems, boosts the immune system and digestive system and stimulates the brain
  • Promotes deep breathing and increases lung capacity helping to relax, reduce anxiety or stress, prevent disease and reduce symptoms of asthma or other breathing related conditions
  • Provides relief from stress-related conditions, insomnia, IBS, fatigue and depression

Pilates

Like Yoga, Pilates has something to offer everyone, whatever age or fitness level. Pilates, as taught by Joseph Pilates, is a mind-body exercise which will target the core stabilising muscles. It aims to achieve a strong girdle of strength, allowing for correct body alignment and posture, thus minimising physical injury.

Modified Pilates is a gentle and safe form of exercise where you can work at your own pace, even as part of a class. Exercises are aimed at retraining postural muscles to support the spine during every day activities.

Pilates is a mind body conditioning exercise program. The mind and body are brought together to achieve these aims through the following eight sound principles, developed by Joseph Pilates:

  • Concentration
  • Centering
  • Breathing
  • Isolation
  • Routine
  • Precision
  • Control and flowing movement.

The Pilates mat work is a combination of the original 34 Pilates exercises. They consist of strength, mobility and stretching exercises completed on a mat, all preformed with a strong emphasis on developing stability around the lower back.

Pilates is particularly beneficially for those with back pain, poor postures, neurological conditions, mental health conditions, sports injuries, arthritis, stress related illness and before and after pregnancy.

Benefits of Pilates

Pilates is being hailed as the fastest growing exercise technique worldwide, it’s popularity growing due to the clear benefits, particularly for its ability to develop strength and balance for a large spectrum of people with varying health and fitness levels.

One fantastic outcome is improved posture. With regular practice your muscles become longer and leaner and you feel and look taller. The focus on the breathing adds to the sense of relaxation, leaving you feeling revitalised after a good work out.

Pilates is a mind-body exercise, requiring concentration. You become aware of the correct patterns movement, which carry over from exercises to everyday life. It is an excellent starting point for those who have not exercised for a while. Building a strong core of stability will protect you against injury, especially if you choose to take on other types of exercise.

Pilates is suitable for people with a previous injury. Recently, the medical world has realised the benefits of the Pilates method in the prevention, rehabilitation and the reduction of recurrences of back injuries. Pilates promotes recovery and reduces reoccurrence of pain by targeting muscle imbalance or weakness around the affected area. If you have suffered an injury or are in pain, you may benefit from individual sessions prior to joining a class. This is to ensure that you are aware of the correct technique and target the exercise directly to your needs.

Pilates for Pregnancy
Pilates during pregnancy is safe provided you are well, and do not suffer from any medical complications. Please check with a medical professional. Whilst pregnant, it is not the time to start an intensive exercise regime but rather to modify an established routine.

There are many reasons why you should exercise during pregnancy, especially as the principles of Pilates concentrate on pelvic floor activation, posture and the prevention of back pain. Here are some of the many benefits you can expect:

  • Exercise during pregnancy promotes a positive experience of pregnancy.
  • Self confidence and body image are improved.
  • Cardiovascular fitness is maintained through improved breath control and improved circulation.
  • The body is prepared for labour, and post natal recovery is aided.
  • Healthy weight control
  • Body awareness and control are enhanced.
  • Improved muscle length and flexibility leading to improved coordination.
  • Focus on deep breathing induces relaxation and
    improves sleep patterns.
  • Investing in your own body during pregnancy adds to your own, as well as the baby’s, well being.
  • A focused hour of Pilates work out brings on a sense of achievement.

Classes are led by a Physiotherapist certified to teach ante natal modified Pilates.