Pilates with Eimear

We live most of our lives upright so training one's balance, weight transfer and hip mobility while standing happens in most of my classes.

The work we do on the equipment helps with overall stability and strength. Footwork, hip lift, arms in straps, long box, short box, front splits, back splits, legs in straps on reformer all lead to a stronger, more balanced you.

Classes are fully booked for Sept through to October but cancellations happen..... so, if you'd like to be on waitlist either for Lagganstown for reformer or Cashel for mat, let me know 😊

Enjoying using box on reformer like ladder barrel to isolate the glutes and all the muscles in posterior chain, yay!

As we age, we need to work on maintaining our gluteal strength - they are the early muscles to deteriorate if not actively used. The glute muscles play a big role in supporting the lower back, thus helping preventing back pain, and also providing strength and balance to prevent falls and injuries.

The Pilates core or powerhouse is not just the deep abdominals (transversus abdominus) but also those glutes.

Legs in straps with only one leg in strap changes everything. It's fun to mix it up and that's what we did earlier today. Seeing how well you can stabilise on unsupported side. Last hip stretch felt particularly good for me 😊

Mobility of top of femur in hip socket is key to healthy functioning hips and that's what we were playing with here.

One or two PAYG spaces next week on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9.45am. Link in bio to book.

Pilates is an amazing system of movement on its own. But as you get older, it's vital to add in functional standing moves.

We should all be able to do a reasonably deep squat (subject to knee injuries/arthritis etc). The moves that I show here all contribute to overall strength in hips, legs, feet and back.

Keep up your muscle mass as you get older so you can get up and down from the ground unaided, lift your shopping bags with ease and keep doing what you love ❤️ like, save and practice

And so the delicious summery spell here in south Tipperary ends with more normal temperatures, cloud and wind back today.

July, you were memorable! Special birthday for first daughter (30th), unrelenting heat day and night, seeking shade, keeping delicate plants alive and hens hydrated. Plodding around in loose clothing with watering can and frequent immersions in local stream.

This heatwave was a novelty for us in Ireland, a 'real summer'. I had to cancel Pilates classes (no a/c in studio) and, honestly, I just basked as much as I needed to.

But I am cognisant of fire danger and threats to those dealing with much greater heat that we've had in Ireland these past few weeks. Not just in Tipperary where Sliabh na mBan fire has been so destructive and frightening, but from ongoing fires in France, Spain and Canada. So many trees burnt, not to mention people's and animals' homes, and many lives lost already......

What to do? I guess live your own life as responsibly as you can. Small steps, mindful living, keep breathing.

Kind of liberating and interesting to move unrestricted! No bra straps to interfere with upper body movement. This was in privacy of my rather warm studio - closed for next few weeks for summer break.

The effect of essential b**b support on body movement seems little discussed. It's an issue for larger-chested women and for post-menopausal women too 🤪 If there is some research on this topic that you know of, I'd be grateful if you'd let me know.

This was also an opportunity to assess my own movement restrictions without clothes in the way... can you notice my neck doesn't bend so well laterally to my right?

**bs

Had rare pleasure of having my two beautiful daughters at morning Pilates session today. Five clients moving well together from age 23 to late 60s!

We had a slower but deeper class 'cos of the heat but think we all really enjoyed and benefited.

Pilates is for all bodies, all ages.

Another hot spell on the way here in South Tipp 🥵 Short spurts of movement can be a better approach than long workouts when it gets really hot.

Got weights lying around at home? Pick them up and play!! In all these moves , I'm keeping long spine with core engagement => strengthens low back and hips if you need to avoid spinal flexion.

Use whatever weight feels manageable to you. Keep lifting more. These 5kg dumbbells seemed heavy to me at first and now feel quite light!

At this time of the year, I offer ‘drop-in’ or ‘pay as you go’ classes in gorgeous Pilates studio at Lagganstown Schoolhouse. Discover body control and small muscles you weren't aware of before.

Here’s what’s available over next few days.

* Friday 26th @ 9.45am: Mixed level TWO SPACES
* Monday 29th @ 9.45am: Gentle strength TWO SPACES
* Monday 29th @ 6.30pm: Mixed level ONE SPACE
* Tuesday 30th @ 9.45am: Mixed level TWO SPACES
* Tuesday 30th @ 6.30pm: Mixed level ONE SPACE

Reformer experience required for mixed level classes but okay if rusty (layers offered for different abilities); beginners welcome on Monday. If you haven't been here in a while, this is your chance! ☺️

Link in bio to book.