Pilates is by far the best exercise regime to strengthen your core. By working the deep abdominal muscles, muscles of the back, pelvis and shoulders (girdle of strength), your muscles become strong and lean. This is unlike many other forms of exercise which build bulk and thus compromise flexibility.

Strengthening the deep abdominal muscles gives you a flatter stomach and smaller waist, which is what often attracts women and also men who would like more muscle definition. It also works on toning buttocks, thighs, arms and the shoulder area.

Pilates is the best form of exercise to work the entire body and achieve an efficient muscle balance. There are the mobilising muscles in the body (muscles which create movement) and the stabilising muscles (muscles which support the joint movement and position). It is often the mobilisers overworking and a lack of stability that causes injury and back pain. Therefore, eliminating muscle imbalances and discovering what needs to be strengthened, or perhaps released, in the body results in a body that functions better on all levels.

Whether you are a rower, horse rider, swimmer or runner, at many levels of fitness you will gain a huge benefit from Pilates. Pilates is often incorporated into athletes’ sports conditioning programmes by assisting in rehabilitation after injury or to improve performance. The benefits range from improved flexibility, circulation, posture, balance, abdominal strength and more refined and efficient movement overall. Inevitably this will then boost sporting performance.

Taking up Pilates improves proprioception (body awareness) and often makes people very aware of where they are carrying tension. I’m sure there are lots of you reading this now thinking…shoulders! Shoulders and neck are commonly where people hold tension most. By being more aware of this area, you can then learn to release that tension. You will relax into the exercises, focus on muscle concentration, body precision, work on breathing techniques, use imagery and simply be more mindful of each part of the body moving. Consequently, you will leave your classes with an astonishing sense of calm and feel totally rejuvenated.