Pilates

Please head to www.bodymindsol.com for class, timetable and pricing information.

Why did I choose Pilates?

When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a tightrope dancer.

And while I couldn’t convince my parents to send me off with the circus at age four, they did send me to gymnastics shortly after. Seeing that I already towered over the other kids in kindergarten, my first contact with sports was slightly misplaced… But exercise became a life-long passion of mine. My mum started me on yoga in primary school to help me keep good posture despite my height. Choreographed dance classes followed in an effort to turn the clumsy teen into a graceful girl. When I was allowed to choose my own sporty pursuits in high school, I focussed on team and high impact sports, like basketball.

I enjoyed working towards a common goal. I loved the burn after training.

Over gym classes such as Tae Bo and running almost every day, I found my way to gentler pursuits. About five years ago, an injury forced me to start listening to my body more instead of pushing my boundaries every time – and often overstepping them. It was then that a friend of mine suggested I try Pilates. Starting reformer classes at Elix’r health club in Bondi Junction was a revelation.

Here was an activity I could do even when I was feeling burnt out, sore or tired. Walking out of my Pilates classes, I felt longer and leaner. My muscles felt strengthened but in a gentle way. Pilates even counteracted and corrected my body’s weak spots (mostly obtained through other sports). It helped me keep swimming, sailing and cycling  - I even managed to get back into running thanks to Pilates.

It was like rehab in a workout.

One where you could tone up, increase your flexibility and at the same time totally transform your body shape. Within several months, I was the proud owner of an almost dancer-like stature and killer abs. (Do I hear some dancers giggle in the background?) Anyhow, Pilates did it for me, and I’d love to share this great way to increase your flexibility and stability, improve your posture and feel better in your body… with you.

I teach at several gyms across the city and Northern Beaches, so feel free to leave a comment below re times and prices and then just drop into one of my classes. Or get in touch for one-on-one training, small private group sessions or corporate classes. I look forward to training with you!

Why should you choose Pilates?

If you’re looking for a a low impact exercise regime that’ll challenge you and improve your body’s look and feel, you’ve come to the right place.

Suitable for all fitness levels, it’s a workout popular with dancers and elite athletes that also works for beginners.

In Pilates, the focus is on strengthening your core muscles, increasing your flexibility and overall control. The workout will add tone and mobility to your body. When you’re starting off, you’ll likely feel a marked difference in your posture and a relief of aches caused by bad posture fairly quickly. As you move on to the intermediate level, you can expect better body awareness and a feeling of length through your body. If you keep at it and increase the challenge, you can totally transform your body.

It’s quite different to yoga – even if yoga influences can be integrated into classes. Pilates is a dynamic workout, where you actually do reps and can easily work up a sweat. (Okay, hot yoga might feel similar but it works differently.) It might look easy but you’ll quickly realise that the slightest movement in Pilates requires utter control and poise.

Ultimately, Pilates is designed to be taught one-on-one. And in personal training sessions you’ll get the most benefit out of it. Here at Body, Mind & Sol, I assess people’s individual needs, give exercises to practice outside our sessions and provide materials to increase your understanding and help you move to a greater level of confidence quickly, so you can reap the health benefits of Pilates.

Clients have input into their sessions and can choose whether they prefer a supercharged workout or a body and mind session. Props, outdoor sessions and small private group classes are all on offer. You tell me your needs and I tailor a programme towards them. Pilates is about your body. Let’s work on it together. Contact me at bookings@solwalkling.com

Please head to www.bodymindsol.com for class, timetable and pricing information.