What is Matwork Pilates?

FLEX-EXTEND-ROTATE

That’s about it, all the spinal planes of movement, in a sequence of exercises designed to bring the body into alignment, release the tight areas, and then increase strength and flexibility.  Always with each client’s functional movement goals in mind, and always leaving you walking taller with improved posture.

Christmas Block 16th Oct - 20th December 2023

CLASSES ARE OFFERED IN PERSON AND ONLINE VIA ZOOM.

To see all class descriptions, venues and to reserve your place, please go to the booking page on this website and click on "BOOK YOUR CLASS" 

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Which class should I choose?

Please note that these classes are not suitable if you are a new client who is pregnant, or if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia.  But specialist classes for these are in the pipeline so watch this space!

Beginners level (Strengthen and Stabilise/Stretch and Release)

Basic exercises to introduce you to the foundations underlying Pilates -  Alignment, Breathing and Core Stability.  You’ll learn to connect with your body, and improve your balance and posture. Joints are gently mobilised, tight muscles released, and you’ll gain the awareness to engage your muscles in a deep and precise way.  Suitable for those with no previous experience.

Improvers

Now you have the basics under your belt, we work on improving your strength, stability, flexibility and co-ordination, and start to introduce some of the intermediate exercises. Suitable for those who have done at least a 6 week block previously.

Intermediate level (Core)

We pick up the pace and develop your Pilates’ skills with new exercises designed to challenge your co-ordination and increase your stability. A balanced and full body workout using small equipment such as bands, balls and rollers, which sometimes help you, sometimes make things tougher.

Flow

The flowing movement that makes Pilates such a joy comes to the fore, increasing your endurance and building strength and flexibility.  As we introduce some of the advanced exercises from Joseph Pilates’ original classic mat you’ll also find your mind challenged by the more complex choreographed sequences.  Lots of fun with the small equipment too!

INDIVIDUAL CLASSES

Individual sessions are ideal if you have a particular issue that you would like to address and work on, or to complement your group classes, making sure that you are getting the most from them and are on track to meet your goals.

I have a full range of small equipment to use during your class as necessary, and you will recieve a plan to practice at home to meet your needs and schedule if required.

Sessions can be taken as a one-off or as part of a course. If you want to make this a continuing part of your practice then you could reserve a regular weekly or fortnightly slot. They can be held in my Marchmont studio, your home or online. Please see the booking page for pricing options.

 

WORKSHOPS

Intermediate to Advanced Pilates – Bridging the Gap 

Saturday 11th Nov 2023, 11am - 1pm, £25

Blazin' Studios, St Margarets House, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE

Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced level Pilates presents a whole new set of (fun!) challenges – increasingly complex choreography, demands on strength, stamina, flexibility, co-ordination and balance, and most significantly, it requires precise technique, concentration and inner focus. 

In this 2-hour workshop, we will begin with some gentle mobilising movements, then look at some familiar intermediate exercises which are the building blocks to the advanced versions and those which appear in the Classical Mat series. 

We will experience the stamina building Series of 5 and learn how to use the breath to sustain you through it. We will also breakdown the Roll Back, Roll Up, Roll Over, and Shoulder Stand, using props to assist. These are all movements that are key components of the full Classical Mat and are essential to master comfortably before tackling that! Finally, we will look at transitions between exercises and why they are such a valuable component of advanced work. 

This workshop is ideal if you are currently working at Intermediate level (my Core classes) or Advanced level (my Flow classes) and want to experience progression, new exercises and refine your technique. It is also intended as an introduction for The Classical Mat workshop that I will teach in early 2024, with guidance on exercises to work on to help you prepare for that. 

(Please note that this workshop is not suitable if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis). 

Advanced Classical Mat Workshop - early 2024 date tbc

St Margarets House, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE

The Advanced Classical Mat is based on the original matwork sequence devised by Joseph Pilates.  It is viewed by many in the Pilates world as the essence of the Pilates Method.  It consists of a dynamic and flowing sequence of over 40 exercises, linked by transitional movements, with the rhythm of the breath integral to the movement and pace.

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Performed from start to finish, it develops physical strength, stamina, muscular endurance, co-ordination, and physical and mental control.  It also promotes a deeper awareness and understanding of the participant’s own body, with a profound internal mental focus.

This 2 hour workshop will start with a warm-up and release work to prepare the body; then look at a selection of the exercises in depth (with modifications and preps for those not yet ready for the full versions) and then we will run the sequence in its entirety.

Participants should already be comfortable working at an intermediate/advanced level (happy rolling up!) and be able to take responsibility for their own body by modifying any movements that might not be suitable for them.

Strengthen and Build 

The role of Pilates in a strength training programme.

Extend and Strengthen Workshop 

This workshop explores extension in the spine and the hips. 

Beginners ABC of Pilates 

An introduction to the basics of Pilates.

Fascia, Feet, and Footprints 

Fascia is the system of connective tissue that runs in continuous chains and spirals throughout the body. This workshop will explore different ways to release the fascia working up the body, addressing tension in legs, hips, glutes, lower and upper back, shoulders and finally neck. 

It All Begins With The Feet

Your feet are an incredible feat (no pun intended!) of engineering; complex, delicate and strong. Your body can’t move freely and efficiently if your feet aren’t moving properly. Pain and dysfunction in the knees, hips, pelvis, spine, shoulders or neck may well originate in dysfunction or lack of mobility at foot level. This workshop will explore this and mobilise the feet.

Release and Align Workshop 

This workshop will explain what good alignment is, look at how you can assess and check it in your own body, and learn how to recognise when you are in (and out!) of it.