Pilates is a fitness routine that encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles of the body. It is a unique stretching and strengthening exercise method that focuses on the abdominal and back muscles – collectively referred to as the body’s “core.” Pilates strengthens the core by developing pelvic stability and abdominal control. Pilates exercises improve flexibility, joint mobility, strength, balance and posture. Instructors emphasize deep breathing and smooth, long movements that encourage muscles to relax and lengthen. Because Pilates is a no-impact exercise method, it is easy on the joints and complements other methods of exercise. Pilates isn’t about high repetitions or strain, so forget working out until your muscles ache. Rather, it’s a fitness regimen that combines stretching and strengthening routines with natural, fluid movements that efficiently work your entire body.

In order to offer the best possible health and fitness regime we have aligned our classes to the 'Body-Control' Pilates method that centres around eight basic Pilates principles that are as follows:
• Relaxation
• Concentration
• Alignment
• Breathing
• Centring
• Co-ordination
• Flowing movement
• Stamina

• Promotes long and slim muscle structure and ease of movement
• Corrects any posture disorder
• Improves balance, coordination and blood circulation
• Improves stamina
• Reduces risk of injury
• Improves movement capability
• Balances strength and flexibility
• Promotes body awareness
• Improves mobility without strain on joints
• Improves performance on other sports
• Eliminates repeated pain and other complaints

The workout is designed to work your body to muscle failure at which point you need to rest.
Depending on your fitness level and the intensity of your workout, you will need more or less time to recover. We recommend you to do 2 or 3 times a week to allow your body to properly recover and repair. Some students love the workout so much that they come 5 or 6 times a week. Listen to your body.

The speed of results will quite naturally vary from person to person and will be dependant upon your commitment to an effective Pilates programme. Your overall level of health and fitness are a result of genetics, lifestyle habits and your current physical condition and all of those factors will contribute to just how quickly you will see results.

An average, reasonably active person taking part in two or three Pilates sessions per week could reasonably expect to see results within three to four weeks. Clearly, the more you practice then the greater the potential rewards.

By successfully completing the Pilates beginners course and moving on through the Intermediate to the Advanced stage Pilates programme you can be assured that your continual improvement will be monitored and recorded and could only have been achieved as a direct result of a higher level of fitness, commitment and overall understanding of the 'Pilates Method' and its ultimate benefits.

Joseph H Pilates once stated:

"In ten sessions you'll feel the difference, in twenty, you'll see the difference and in thirty you'll have a new body"

In reality, this depends entirely upon you and your commitment to Pilates!

Pilates can be practised by people of all ages, from the very young to the very old and at any level of fitness. Today, Pilates is used not only by dancers, athletes and sports stars wishing to improve performance and reduce injuries but also by young and old alike striving for differing levels of physical fitness and/or rehabilitation.

Because of the wide range of exercises available, to suit all levels of fitness and mobility, everyone can enjoy the benefits of this form of activity.

As with all types of fitness regimes, persons with specific medical conditions or injuries such as osteoporosis, back pain, pregnancy, arthritis and tendonitis should consult their physician and obtain written guidance from them before taking part in this type of activity. Exercises can be modified to accommodate many medical conditions and indeed Pilates has long been considered by many medical practitioners (in particular Physiotherapists and Osteopaths) to be positively beneficial as an aid to recovery.

Pilates is for everyone! That is the beauty of this exercise. Whether you are young, old, man or woman, a gym buff or new to the fitness world, pilates will completely change your body, strengthening it from the inside out!

If you are over the age of 10, there is a benefit that you can experience with a Pilates program

If you began your Pilates training before the first trimester, Pilates can be very beneficial to your pregnancy. Pilates is one of the most advantageous forms of exercise post-pregnancy, because of its focus on core control, and the muscles of the abdomen, back and gluteus. As with any exercise program, and especially when pregnancy is concerned, please discuss any interest in establishing an exercise program with your doctor first!

Pilates is a wonderful rehabilitation tool. Because Pilates teaches re-programming of the entire musculature, it can be as gentle and simple as is required. Pilates redevelops strength, stability, balance and symmetry to areas of the body, which may have been misaligned due to an injury.

If you have been recently injured, it is recommended that you first obtain a release from your physician or preferably a specialist, to participate in the Pilates Exercise Program. (Note: As a precaution for all of us, SEA requires a signed doctors release indicating that you are cleared to engage in the type of physical activity experienced in a Pilates program before you may participate in our classes or individual sessions.