Pilates with Claire

Would you like to improve your posture, balance, strength, flexibility, alignment? How about improving your overall wellbeing?

Claire is passionate about using the power of Pilates to help you feel fantastic in both mind and body. She runs several group Pilates classes in Warminster and also offers one-to-one sessions.

A low-impact form of exercise, Pilates promotes a conscious mind-body connection through awareness of breathing and body movement. Claire’s training is with Body Control Pilates and classes are accessible to everyone — all ages and fitness levels are welcome.

More information about classes is below. If you have any questions or would like to book in, please contact Claire directly. She will discuss your goals with you and advise on one-to-one options or the most appropriate class.

PILATES FAQ

What are the main benefits of Pilates?

Regular Pilates practice can bring a huge range of benefits, including:

• Improved posture

• Positive effect on mental health — improves focus and concentration

• Increased strength and elongates the muscles

• Improved stability and balance — especially core stability, which is great for spinal health

• Helping to reduce anxiety

• Helping to promote a better sleeping pattern which, in turn, boosts mood and energy

Do I need to bring any equipment to class?

Everything will be provided for you. Please just bring yourself and a bottle of water.

What should I wear?

Please wear comfortable clothing and socks. Try to avoid anything too baggy as Claire will need to check your posture and alignment during the class.

What if I have a medical condition?

All Pilates clients will be required to fill in a medical health form (PARQ). If you have any medical conditions, please discuss with Claire. She will advise you on your options

What are the key principles of Pilates?

Alignment: Correct alignment at the start and throughout the movement is essential. Keeping joints and soft tissue “in neutral” helps maintain and encourage joint health.

Breathing: Synchronicity of breath and movement in the exercises is a key part of Pilates, for precision and efficiency.

Centring: “Centring” (you may know this as “engaging the core”) helps with recruitment of deep core muscles. Pilates movement stem from a strong centre, which is key to controlling and stabilising movement.

Concentration: Pilates helps develop greater body awareness and control, through concentration and focus whilst performing the exercises. In the long term it will bring improvement to your day-to-day body movements.

Coordination: The blend of coordination, control, mobility, strength required for each exercise causes you to move more efficiently.

Flowing Movements: Pilates movements are controlled, graceful and flowing, lengthening outwards from a strong centre.

Relaxation: Relaxation of the mind and body is essential part of any Pilates class/session. Focusing on releasing areas of tension within the body before, during and after is important. During movements, allow the mind to feel relaxed.

Stamina: As you learn the movement skills and add more challenging exercises, your muscle endurance and stamina will improve.

Who invented Pilates?

This form of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany where he was a carpenter and gymnast. He invented Pilates as an exercise program for injured dancers and soldiers while living in the UK. Joseph Pilates believed that physical and mental health were closely connected. In the 1920s he immigrated to the US and opened a Pilates studio in New York. Originally this form of exercise was called Contrology.