PILATES
What is Pilates
Pilates is an innovative and safe system of mind-body exercise using a floor mat or a variety of equipment. It evolved from the principles of Joseph Pilates and can dramatically transform the way your body looks, feels and performs. Pilates builds strength without excess bulk, capable of creating a sleek, toned body with slender thighs and a flat abdomen. (Yeah, I know right – who doesn’t want that?)
It’s a safe, sensible exercise system that will help you look and feel your very best. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement. Pilates also improves flexibility, strength and mobility. It can even help relieve back pain and other injuries
Why Pilates with Bfit with Tarsh
Come and enjoy our supportive environment along with others just like you who are wanting to improve their quality of life. Challenging yes, intimidating no!
Pilates has something to offer everyone, whatever the age or fitness level. Bfit with Tarsh welcomes men, women and teenagers from Beginners to Advanced. Options are given through the class and she regularly corrects form to help everyone achieve the best benefits from their Pilates sessions. .
Pilates can help those with osteoporosis, arthritis, those with injuries and can treat and heal sciatica, scoliosis and many types of back pain. Through regular Bfit with Tarsh pilates sessions people notice and feel the difference.
Pilates has something to offer everyone, whatever the age or fitness level. Bfit with Tarsh welcomes men, women and teenagers from Beginners to Advanced. Options are given through the class and she regularly corrects form to help everyone achieve the best benefits from their Pilates sessions. .
Pilates can help those with osteoporosis, arthritis, those with injuries and can treat and heal sciatica, scoliosis and many types of back pain. Through regular Bfit with Tarsh pilates sessions people notice and feel the difference.
CLASSICAL PILATES
Joseph Pilates created a set order of exercises on the mat and reformer. A pure classical Pilates class follows this order every time. This sequence appropriately warms up the body, challenges and cools it down. This order strengthens and stretches the torso, arms and legs in all planes of movement, challenging clients in the appropriate progression with and then against gravity: lying down, sitting up, kneeling, standing.
CONTEMPORARY PILATES
Contemporary Pilates, is also based on the work of Joseph Pilates but has been modernized by adjusting the exercises to fit with modern research and has a heavy influence from physical therapy and bio-mechanics. This style of Pilates has more options available in terms of sequencing, inclusion of props/equipment, modifications or variations of exercises. Light music can also be used during the class.
REFORMER BLAST PILATES
The reformer offers all the benefits of Pilates including overall strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. These things, in turn, lead to daily life improvements like better posture, graceful and efficient movement, and for many, relief from pain associated with physical imbalances such as back pain. These 15 minute Reformer Blast sessions are a quick effective way to gain benefits for those who are limited for time and still wanting results. You can double up the session to make 30 minutes if you wish
10 REASONS TO START PILATES
There are so many reasons to practice Pilates, however let's begin with this short list to inspire you:
1. Pilates is a full-body exercise. It focuses on the core while training the entire body as an integrated system. The workouts include ones that improve strength and balanced muscle development, flexibility and increased range of motion.
2. Pilates sessions are tailored to individual needs. Pilates is for everyone, including elite athletes, the injured, seniors, pregnant women and everyone in-between. There are literally hundreds of exercises and modifications for each client.
3. It lengthens the spine and improves posture. Poor posture creates a string of structural changes throughout the body that can cause pain and imbalance in the shoulders, neck and head as well as a tilt of the pelvis or a shift of the hips adding pressure to muscles and joints. This, in turn, may cause migraines, neck, lower back, hip, knee and foot pain. For example, if the head is tilted forward 20 degrees it is forced to bear twice the weight than if it were vertical. Pilates targets the deep postural muscles creating a strong, aligned core from which to move.
4. Pilates heals and prevents back injuries. Many Doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists recommend Pilates exercise for most back pain. Many of these specialists have seen lasting improvements come with regular exercises that stretch and lengthen the spine, loosen up tight hip muscles and strengthen the abdominals. If you have been under care of a Doctor, chiropractor or physical therapists then please check with them first to make sure Pilates is going to work for you.
5. Muscular balance. Pilates works to restore the balance and re align the body. For example, the golfer will repeatedly bend over a ball and twist in one direction. This overuse of the same muscles creates imbalance in the shoulders, neck, hips and feet, but the most vulnerable is the lumbar spine (low back).
6. Core strength. We can train our arms and legs to be strong with weight training, but in Pilates you are never working just one muscle. Why not get more results in less time? Train your center while stretching and strengthening other muscles. This is called functional fitness. For example, If the trunk of a tree is not strong, what use are its limbs?
7. Weight loss, really! If you practice Pilates regularly, you will change your body. Pilates creates long, lean, strong muscles. Just because it is low-impact does not mean it is easy. Once you have the routine down, expect to work up a light sweat. The formula for weight loss remains the same: burn more calories than you consume. Because Pilates is a full-body exercise, it will help you do just that!
8. Breath efficiently. Pilates will increase your lung capacity and your ribs will move more freely.
9. Mind and body connection. Joseph Pilates was insistent that Pilates was about “the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”. Pilates practice gives complete attention to each movement by instructing the brain to release tension, center oneself, control movement and breath with precision and flow.
10. Improves balance and circulation. Strengthening the core and working one limb at a time will improve balance. The classic “Pilates Hundred” exercise is meant to get the blood circulating and act like a “rain shower” inside your body.
Try Bfit with Pilates today! As Joseph Pilates once said, "In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you will have a whole new body."
1. Pilates is a full-body exercise. It focuses on the core while training the entire body as an integrated system. The workouts include ones that improve strength and balanced muscle development, flexibility and increased range of motion.
2. Pilates sessions are tailored to individual needs. Pilates is for everyone, including elite athletes, the injured, seniors, pregnant women and everyone in-between. There are literally hundreds of exercises and modifications for each client.
3. It lengthens the spine and improves posture. Poor posture creates a string of structural changes throughout the body that can cause pain and imbalance in the shoulders, neck and head as well as a tilt of the pelvis or a shift of the hips adding pressure to muscles and joints. This, in turn, may cause migraines, neck, lower back, hip, knee and foot pain. For example, if the head is tilted forward 20 degrees it is forced to bear twice the weight than if it were vertical. Pilates targets the deep postural muscles creating a strong, aligned core from which to move.
4. Pilates heals and prevents back injuries. Many Doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists recommend Pilates exercise for most back pain. Many of these specialists have seen lasting improvements come with regular exercises that stretch and lengthen the spine, loosen up tight hip muscles and strengthen the abdominals. If you have been under care of a Doctor, chiropractor or physical therapists then please check with them first to make sure Pilates is going to work for you.
5. Muscular balance. Pilates works to restore the balance and re align the body. For example, the golfer will repeatedly bend over a ball and twist in one direction. This overuse of the same muscles creates imbalance in the shoulders, neck, hips and feet, but the most vulnerable is the lumbar spine (low back).
6. Core strength. We can train our arms and legs to be strong with weight training, but in Pilates you are never working just one muscle. Why not get more results in less time? Train your center while stretching and strengthening other muscles. This is called functional fitness. For example, If the trunk of a tree is not strong, what use are its limbs?
7. Weight loss, really! If you practice Pilates regularly, you will change your body. Pilates creates long, lean, strong muscles. Just because it is low-impact does not mean it is easy. Once you have the routine down, expect to work up a light sweat. The formula for weight loss remains the same: burn more calories than you consume. Because Pilates is a full-body exercise, it will help you do just that!
8. Breath efficiently. Pilates will increase your lung capacity and your ribs will move more freely.
9. Mind and body connection. Joseph Pilates was insistent that Pilates was about “the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”. Pilates practice gives complete attention to each movement by instructing the brain to release tension, center oneself, control movement and breath with precision and flow.
10. Improves balance and circulation. Strengthening the core and working one limb at a time will improve balance. The classic “Pilates Hundred” exercise is meant to get the blood circulating and act like a “rain shower” inside your body.
Try Bfit with Pilates today! As Joseph Pilates once said, "In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you will have a whole new body."
LETS GET STARTED!
- Complete the 2x Pre Exercise Questionaires and email it to withtarsh@xtra.co.nz or print it and and bring along to class.
- Please try to arrive 5-10 minutes early, if you are late then please move into the room and find a space quickly.
- Feel free to ask any questions – no question is silly or incorrect.
- Let me know before the class if you have any injuries/issues you feel I should be aware of.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows movement
- Bring a water bottle
- Bring socks and any other clothing you feel is weather appropriate ( Remember to wrap up for winter )
- Please bring your own mat and/or towel – I have a few mats that you are most welcome to use. However it’s always nicer to use your own mat - first in first serve basis.
- Make sure you are hydrated and have water before the class and during if you feel the need.
- It's important that you stop if you feel dizzy or lightheaded
- If any part of your body hurts then please stop that exercise and let me know so I can show you an alternative exercise.
- Listen to your body as you know it better than anyone else. I want you to feel uncomfortable at times so you are challenging and working your body, however “pain” means your body is telling you to STOP that particular exercise NOW!
- If you are pregnant then let me know so I can give you alternative options when required.