What Exactly is Pilates? (Pilates Classes in Heston, Hounslow)

06 Apr What Exactly is Pilates? (Pilates Classes in Heston, Hounslow)

While it might seem like a modern fitness trend, Pilates has a rich history. Developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, it was originally called “Contrology.” Joseph was a physical trainer who used these movements to rehabilitate injured soldiers and, later, to help elite dancers maintain their strength.

At its heart, Pilates is a system of repetitive exercises designed to improve our physical strength, flexibility, and posture. Pilates is often described as a functional movement system that focuses on the “Powerhouse” which are the deep muscles of our abdomen, lower back, hips, and glutes.

The Six Golden Principles

To understand Pilates, we have to understand its “DNA.”

The movements done in a Pilates class are guided by these six principles:

1. Centring: Bringing your focus to the “Powerhouse” (your core).

2. Concentration: Giving your full attention to each movement to get the maximum value.

3. Control: Every motion is deliberate; we don’t use loose uncontrolled movement.

4. Precision: Quality over quantity. It’s better to do five perfect repetitions than twenty sloppy ones.

5. Breath: Using specific breathing patterns to fuel your muscles and keep you calm.

6. Flow: Movements are intended to be fluid and graceful, transitioning seamlessly from one to the next.

Combining Yoga & Pilates

Yoga and Pilates are frequently described as the ultimate “Power Couple.” Here’s why:

• Injury Prevention: Pilates strengthens the stabilising muscles around your joints. This extra support can further help to make our Yoga poses feel safer and more stable.

• The “Powerhouse” Factor: Many of us have flexible outer muscles but lack deep internal strength. Pilates builds that “corset” of muscle that supports your spine.

  

• Posture Correction: If you spend your day hunched over a laptop, Pilates is the perfect “antidote.” It focuses heavily on spinal alignment and opening up the chest.

  

• Muscular Endurance: Unlike the long holds in some forms of yoga, Pilates uses controlled repetitions to build a lean, toned physique and incredible stamina. When you hear me count 3 sets of 20 in class, it’s because we’re working on muscular endurance.

   

What to Expect in Our Pilates Class

In order to keep my classes well rounded and to ensure I cover every base, I’ve been adding some Pilates exercises to my classes for a while now. So when you walk into the Pilates class, some of the exercises will feel familiar but the emphasis will be a bit different.

• Equipment: We’ll be focusing on Mat Pilates. We’ll use the thicker blue mats at the school, or you can bring a Pilates mat (which is just a slightly thicker yoga mat) to cushion our spine during rolling movements. Be aware that some Pilates mats can curl in my experience.

• The Sensation: Expect to feel a “burn” in muscles you didn’t know you had! Pilates targets the deep, intrinsic muscles.

• The Pace: It’s often a bit more rhythmic than a Hatha yoga class, but it’s not a high-impact “gym” workout and we move with intense focus.

A Sneak Peek: Pilates Exercises

To give you an idea of what we’ll be doing, here are a few quick examples of Pilates exercises you’re likely to encounter:

The Roll-Up

A strong move for spinal mobility. It’s like a very slow, controlled sit-up that requires you to articulate every single vertebra.

Rolling Like a Ball

Sit with knees bent, pull close to chest, and engage abdominal muscles. Roll back onto your spine, maintaining a C-curve, and return to the starting position

The Hundred

You lie on your back, legs lifted, and pump your arms while breathing deeply.

The Swan

A counter-pose to sitting. It strengthens our back extensors and opens the front of the body (think of it as a very controlled Cobra)

Is Pilates Right For You?

Pilates is very inclusive. You’ll benefit whether you’re a seasoned yogi looking to level up your strength, recovering from a back injury, or a total beginner who wants to feel more “bolted together,”. As usual, I’ll offer modifications for every body type and fitness level, so everyone can benefit from the classes.

While many people view Yoga and Pilates as “either/or” choices, they are actually the ultimate power couple of the fitness world. Practising them together creates a synergistic effect that a single discipline might miss.

I find that when you only do Yoga, you might eventually find yourself “too bendy” and prone to joint tweaks. If you only do Pilates, you might feel strong but perhaps a bit “tight” or rigid. By weaving them together, you create a body that is supple enough to bend, but strong enough not to break!

Come try our classes in Heston, Hounslow!