SA Pilates

Even Pilates teachers need a teacher....

One of the things I try to do when life allows is to get to a Pilates class with one of my own instructors.

It doesn't always happen as often as I'd like. Life gets busy, and sometimes teaching Pilates means I'm very good at finding reasons not to practise Pilates myself! 😂

But this morning, I made it to a Level 3 Reformer class with .

And I can definitely feel that I've worked!

One of the things I really value about being the student is not having to decide what I'm going to do.

Caroline selects the exercises, the order, and the challenges. There were movements I probably wouldn't have chosen for myself, and that's exactly why it's good to be led by someone else sometimes.

It's easy to fall into the things we're comfortable with, even when we know we should be challenging ourselves.

Being a student also reminds me what it feels like to be on the other side of the teaching.

To listen to instructions, concentrate on something new, work out what your body is doing, and occasionally think, “Oh no, I think I know where this is going!” 😂

It's a really important part of my own practice and my own learning as a teacher.

So thank you, Caroline, for making me work this morning. My body would like you to know that it noticed. 😉

🍂 SEPTEMBER PILATES CLASSES 🍂

There’s something about September that feels like a fresh start, isn’t there?

The summer holidays are winding down, the school routine is creeping back in, the evenings start to change,and suddenly you’re thinking, “Right… I probably ought to do something for me again!” 😂

As we move into autumn, having a regular movement routine can be such a lovely way to support your body through the change of season, building strength, improving mobility and giving yourself a little bit of time each week to focus on you.

And September is the perfect time to start. 💛

Classes are already filling up quickly, so if you’ve been thinking about joining, now is a good time to get booked!

🧘‍♀️ SEPTEMBER CLASSES

MONDAY — 6pm
Mixed ability
A lovely all-round class with different levels catered for.

TUESDAY — 9.30am
Gentler paced class
Particularly suitable if injuries, pain or health conditions mean you need a little more time and space to move.

WEDNESDAY — 6pm
Advanced
⚠️ Not suitable for beginners.

WEDNESDAY — 7pm
Beginners / Improvers
This lovely bunch have been coming for a while now and are really starting to progress! We’re beginning to explore some intermediate movements alongside the foundations. 💪

THURSDAY — 9.30am
Mixed ability
A varied class suitable for different levels of experience.

And remember, your class pass gives you the flexibility to try different classes, so you don’t have to commit to doing the same class every week. Come along, have a go and find the class (or classes!) that work best for you.

⭐ 1:1 PILATES

I also have a limited number of 1:1 sessions available, using all of the Pilates equipment for a completely individual session tailored to you and what your body needs.

These tend to fill up pretty quickly, so drop me a message if you’d like to find out about availability.

📲 BOOKING

All classes can be booked here www.bookwhen.com/sapilates

If you’re not sure which class is right for you, send me a message before booking. I’m always happy to help.

Come and move with me! 💛

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🧠💪 Intelligent Movement

One of the things I love most about Pilates is that it teaches you to notice.

Not just do the exercise.

Notice how you’re moving.
Notice where you’re holding tension.
Notice how you’re breathing.
Notice when one side is doing more than the other.
Notice what muscles are actually working — and which ones are quietly letting everyone else do the job. 😂

And that awareness can start to creep into the rest of your life too.

One of my 1:1 clients said something to me yesterday that really made me smile.

She’d been lifting weights and noticed that she could feel her core working much more clearly than she ever had before coming to Pilates.

She was also much more aware of which areas of her body were working during an exercise rather than just getting through the movement and hoping for the best.

THAT is intelligent movement.

It’s not about making every movement perfect.

It’s about developing enough awareness that you can start to understand what your body is actually doing — and make adjustments when you need to.

Because the aim isn’t for me to stand next to you forever saying, “Feel that there… not there!” 😂

It’s for you to eventually be able to recognise it yourself.

Pilates gives you the tools to become a better observer of your own body.

And once you start noticing, you can start making different choices.

You might stand differently.
Lift differently.
Breathe differently.
Move with a little more control.
Recognise when you’re compensating.
Or simply understand why something feels the way it does.

That awareness is powerful.

You don't just leave Pilates stronger. You leave knowing your body better. 💛

Has Pilates changed how aware you are of your own movement?

Come with me while I set up for this mornings class....

I try to get to classes early so I can make sure I'm there to welcome everyone as they arrive. It sets the atmosphere and gives me a chance to catch up with everyone. It also allows you to let me know of any injuries or changes to your body which may influence your movement.

We used the bands and small blocks today.

I try to make sure there are no barriers to accessing my classes. I carry spare mats, blocks, balls, bands....all the good stuff 🤣

This hall is West Buckland Village Hall. It has the best view 🥰

Would you like to book on a class? Visit www.bookwhen.com/sapilates