General Questions

What is Pilates?

Pilates is an exercise system designed to improve stability, flexibility and posture. With a greater focus on core strength, spinal mobility and joint health than other methodologies it can be immensely beneficial for achieving a full and pain free range of motion.

Whether you sit at a desk all day and suffer with back pain, are training for a marathon and want to avoid injury, are pregnant with your first child, are recovering from a hip replacement or just want to feel fitter and stronger, Pilates can help you.

Is Pilates the same as Yoga?

The inventor of Pilates, Joseph Pilates, incorporated parts of Yoga into Pilates so naturally, they overlap. Both practices are valid. Both styles of movement will increase your flexibility and help you manage stress. But where Yoga is a more holistic practice with a religious heritage, Pilates comes more out of the world of physiotherapy.

Compared to Yoga, a Pilates class is more likely to focus on combining strengthening with stretching to achieve mobility - flexibility under control. A Yoga class might seek instead to encourage as deep a stretch as possible and focus more on the spiritual or mental aspect of the movement.

Is Pilates easy?

Pilates is a gentle form of exercise, meaning it’s low impact on your joints. It’s more about slow, controlled movements than fast, big ones. You’ll get warm but you won’t leave a session panting and dripping with sweat.

That said, it’s definitely not easy. Activating smaller, underused muscles will leave them aching the first few times you do it. Your core, your balance and your control will be challenged. Pilates requires focus and precision. But because of all of that, it will change your body and you’ll never leave a session feeling like you’ve wasted your time.

What’s a reformer? What’s a tower? What’s the difference between those things and mat Pilates?

Mat Pilates is the original form of Pilates, invented by Joseph Pilates. All you need is your own body weight and a Yoga mat to practice it, though we often like to add some small props for fun and variety. Pilates on the mat at is just as challenging and beneficial as reformer Pilates.

Joseph Pilates designed several pieces of equipment to further expand the practice. These included the reformer and the tower. The reformer looks a bit like a bed and uses springs and a sliding platform to enable exercises that can’t be done on the mat alone. Similarly, the tower is a system of springs which can be altered for different levels of resistance and degrees of support.

If I teach you online, we’ll very likely be doing mat Pilates unless you’re lucky enough to have a reformer at home. If you visit me in studio we’re likely to use some combination of mat, reformer and the tower depending on your needs and preferences.

How often do I need to do Pilates?

It depends on what you’re trying to achieve. But two to three times a week is enough for most people.

Goals and Suitability

I’ve never done Pilates before. Is that okay?

Absolutely! I love teaching beginners. We’ll work on the fundamentals first and work up to more complex movements at a pace that suits you.

Is it safe to do Pilates while I’m pregnant or if I’ve had a baby recently?

Yes, depending on a few factors. I’m qualified to teach pre and post natal clients but every pregnancy is different. We’ll have a conversation when you book in so I can assess whether your pregnancy/post natal condition falls within my scope of practice.

Contact me at pilateswithrachel19@gmail.com or 07510532607 so we can work together to make sure you’re properly supported.

What does the post natal package involve?

Eight classes with a 5% discount. You can start when you have sign off from your doctor to resume gentle exercise, usually six to twelve weeks after birth depending on the method. You can spread the eight classes over as many weeks as suits you. The idea is to rebuild your strength and address any new issues so you can handle the demands of daily life.

Just tell me this is the package you would like when you get in touch to book and I’ll make sure you get your discount.

Am I too old to do Pilates?

You’re never too old for Pilates. Regular Pilates can banish the niggling aches and pains which can develop as we get older. From its conception, Pilates has been welcoming to all ages. The inventor, Joseph Pilates, said “If your spine is stiff at 30, you are old. If it is flexible at 60, you are young".

I’m recovering from an injury/surgery. Is Pilates safe for me? Can it help with my recovery?

Pilates is usually of great help in recovering from injuries and surgeries. We would discuss your situation when you book in so I can ensure your specific condition is within my scope of practice but it’s very likely I can help you.

If you are seeing a physiotherapist, you are welcome to put me in touch with them so I can ensure my approach to your recovery is in line with theirs.

Contact me at pilateswithrachel19@gmail.com or 07510532607 and we’ll work out a plan for you.

Are you qualified to teach people with disabilities?

It depends on the disability. I’ve taught people with MS, EDS and deaf people who could lip read. I can tailor the sessions to fit your needs. Please do get in touch and we’ll talk about your disability at the point of booking so I can check it’s covered by my scope of practice. Contact me at pilateswithrachel19@gmail.com or 07510532607 so we can get you started.

Do I need to be fit and slim to do Pilates?

No. I teach people of all fitness levels. With regards to weight, I take a Health at Every Size approach. My focus is on sharing life-enhancing movements with everyone who wants to learn, and treating all my clients with respect. Pilates is for everyone and every body.

Bookings

How do I book a session?

Email me via pilateswithrachel19@gmail.com or call, text or WhatsApp 07510 532 607 with times and dates that would suit you. We’ll discuss anything you need me to know, I’ll give you further details on the location of my studio and take payment to secure your slot.

How much do you charge?

Classes range from £15 each for a half hour in a small group to £70 for an hour one on one. See my class prices page for full details.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! You can get 5% off when you buy a block of ten sessions. You can also get 5% off when you buy the postnatal package of eight sessions.

What’s your cancellation policy?

If you cancel with less than twenty four hours notice and don’t reschedule for later in the same week, you will be charged a 50% cancellation fee. If you reschedule for later in the week this fee is waived.

Can I train with a friend or partner?

Yes, you can. In person, I can teach two people at a time. Online, I teach groups of up to to six.

How does doing a Pilates session over Zoom work?

I’ll send you a link to my meeting room and be waiting for you when you join. You’ll have a full view of my practice area so I can demonstrate movements as needed. I’ll watch your form just as closely as I would in person and cue you accordingly.

I did much of my own learning over Zoom and am a huge proponent of online exercises classes, especially for busy people looking to squeeze a session in before work, or on a working from home lunch break.

Your First Class

What do I need to wear for my first session?

Exercise clothes. Something you’re comfortable moving around in. If you’re learning in person and if you have them, Pilates/Yoga socks. These have grippy pads on the bottom which help you stay stable on the the reformer. I have a supply in studio though so don’t worry if you need to borrow some.

What will happen at my first Pilates class?

I’ll asses your posture while we clarify your goals and level of fitness. Then we’ll get you moving! Depending on your previous Pilates experience, we’ll start with the fundamentals or move ahead to a more advanced work out.