Why you should come to Pilates classes with me
Jane Arlow • May 22, 2020
AKA What's in it for me?
Over the years, I’ve been to quite a few different Pilates teachers and I bet you have too. And what we love about them, is that they’re all different. Every teacher comes to Pilates with a different set of experiences and movement history and, even if they go through exactly the same training, you can see the difference in how they cue, coach and get hands on.
Before I came to Pilates, I was teaching Group Fitness classes “from the front” meaning that I had to rely on speaking and demonstrating to get people to move. In Pilates, we have the benefit of being much more hands on.
That means I’m able to help you to bring yourself into the right position to perform the exercise better. In a group Pilates session, of course, I can’t always get to everyone in every exercise, so I still rely on being able to describe what I want you to do simply and clearly. After you've been coming for a little while, you'll notice that you're starting to feel when you're in the right posture and positions just by listening to the cues and knowing what you should be feeling.
I still teach cardio-style Group Fitness classes and I benefit from the education that I get from those programs to support the continuing Pilates education that I follow (as well as my Group Fitness classes benefiting from my Pilates education). This means I get access to research papers, to share information with other movement professionals and to constantly learn more about movement. This allows me to help you to continue to be functionally fit for as long as possible.
One of the worst Pilates classes I ever went to, we did the same exercises. Every. Week. For Months (yes, I did stop going!). While I do come back to certain exercises fairly frequently because they’re so effective, I love to teach a really varied program, with new exercises and sometimes using different pieces of small equipment so that you’re constantly challenged (physically and mentally) and kept interested. For example, using the small balls and rollers can challenge your balance and co-ordination; using the bands can challenge your posture, strength and flexibility.
Now, obviously, I can't take all the credit for how much better you'll feel for doing Pilates. The method itself, obviously, plays a large part. Did you know, for example, that when you focus on your breath in class, you're also decreasing your stress levels? This is because deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic system (the opposite of your fight/flight response) and naturally means that you are able to be calmer.
Additionally, as you become aware of the present moment, including your physical sensations, your frontal cortex (the part of your brain linked to decision making and working memory) is stimulated.
You’re encouraged in my classes to ask why we’re doing something; tell me you don’t like it (we’ll still do it btw!); and to question how to do it best. Basically, ask me anything!
So, in summary, what's in it for you to come to my Pilates classes?
1. You'll stay functionally fit (i.e. fit for life) for longer
2. You'll learn what good posture feels like and will be able to bring that back to your daily, normal movement.
3. Your strength, balance and flexibility will be challenged meaning that you're better able to live your normal daily life.
4. You will be calmer and better able to focus, make decisions and remember (God knows, we all need that last bit!).
How can you join a class with us?
I give first dibs on all spaces to my Priority Wait List lovelies, so if you'd like to join us, sign up for the list here
Because movement really is medicine for your brain
And not just because it feels great!
Because no one wants the lurgy!
And the first one's a doozie!
October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and if you haven't done it recently, please let this be the nudge you need to give them a good feel up. Here 's a link to the NHS website below showing how to perform your check and what to look for. If you're one of my gentlemen readers, please don't think this doesn't apply to you. It does. Men can still get breast cancer. And if you find something that doesn't seem right, please contact your GP as soon as possible. 80-90% of lumps are likely to be benign, but for the small percentage of those that aren't, early detection and treatment are your best chances of having successful treatment and being around to annoy friends and family for a long time. Don't skip your mammogram I know having mammograms is really uncomfortable. But this is one of the best ways to check for cancers that aren't otherwise easily spotted. So if you get invited, please go. (And don't skip your smear test either!!!) Know your risk factors 1 in 7 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Here are some of the risk factors: - Age : older women are more likely to get breast cancer than younger women and age is the highest risk factor. - Genetics : Breast cancer risk is higher if you have first-degree relatives who've had it (although 85% of women with a relative with breast cancer WON'T get it). - Breast density (relates to the percentage of non-fatty tissue): the risk is highest for those with the most dense tissue. You can ask your radiographer to tell you whether you have dense tissue at your mammogram. - Lifestyle factors: These include having overweight or obesity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use and insufficient physical activity. - Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals: These "forever" chemicals, such as pthalates and parabens, show up in makeup and toiletries. Risk doesn't normally come from one exposure to one chemical, but from prolonged exposure to many different chemicals over a long period of time. You can read more about the risks here It's worth noting that even if you get a diagnosis, it's unlikely you'll ever know if there was "one thing" that caused it. What happens if you get a diagnosis of breast cancer? I am in no way competent to comment on the treatment plan your medical team recommend for you. Everyone I know who's had breast cancer has had a different treatment plan, depending on: the stage of cancer; whether it had spread further; whether it was hormone-receptive; whether it was due to genetic mutation; and the age of the woman. I do know that for all of us, it was a really scary time. You should be given access to resources outside of the surgical and oncology team, often via a Macmillan nurse, who can answer questions on topics from your treatment and reactions, to claiming for extra benefits. They're also great if you're not sure what questions to ask. While you're in the heat of the panic, it can be difficult to think clearly about what you need to know. Using "what should I be asking that I'm not?" is super helpful. Keep moving after your diagnosis, during and after treatment The one thing I can advise you on with all confidence, is to keep moving. Exercise is safe, possible and helpful for individuals with breast cancer, throughout the treatment cycle. In fact, international guidelines say you should try to get back to your normal activities as soon as possible. Exercise can help reduce the risk of cancer coming back; and may stop stage 1 cancers from growing further; and can also reduce treatment side effects like tiredness, cognitive impairment or lympoedema. Yes, you may need to dial back your usual activities if treatment leaves you feeling exhausted. But whenever you can, please aim for 150 minutes of exercise in every week. Many forms of treatment also lead to a higher osteoporosis risk, so please also do resistance-based and/or some impact-based exercise every week. I'd also recommend paying attention to shoulder mobility. Scar tissue and "guarding" of surgery sites can reduce your range of movement a lot. Check in with your medical team to confirm if there's any specific movements you should avoid during your treatment plan, and when you'll be signed off to go back to them. One last piece of advice someone else gave me... When you tell people you have cancer, a lot of them will have an opinion on your treatment plan. Especially if they're of the "my friend cured their cancer by just eating this one thing.." type. Unless this person is an oncologist, you can safely ignore them! So, what are you still doing reading this? Go off and give yourself a fondle!
I bet you've asked these yourself!
Because resting is revolution in a world that wants to keep you agitated!
Why should I do Pilates?
Spoiler alert...
What are "Bungalow Legs"?