For those who come to my classes, you will know that I pretty much start all my classes with the Roll Down, this allows you to switch off from whatever is going on your life, focus on your breathing and get you ready for the class ahead.
The Hundred is a Pilates Move that really does make you work everything, it is often considered a warm-up exercise. The Hundred will challenge your abs and make you focus on your breathing (which some will find the most challenging part), it helps to circulate your blood to warm up the body in preparation for the exercises to follow.
Using the correct muscles during a Pilates move can be challenging. Learning to relax some parts of the body whilst engaging others is hard I'm not going to lie. With practice, it does get easier tho and understanding the body, the move and how it should feel allows you achieve more from your practice.
I have been scrolling through Amazon for Pilates Mats as it's that time of year when we get new members who ask for what Pilates Mat I would recommend. Also for those who are happy with their mats but need a little bit of extra support for their elbows or knees, I've found something for you to try.
When we do any form of Side Lying work in class, there are so many things to remember.
The Six Main Principles Of Pilates have been distilled by instructors over time from Joseph Pilates original work.
Joseph Pilates developed his Pilates exercises while he was in a detention center during the First World War.
Here are the Six Main Pilates Principles.
Pilates Breathing is probably the hardest thing to get correct, but once you master this technique the difference it makes to your practice and your life is astounding. I know this is a pretty bold statement to make but you know me I don't shy away from these things.
This Month we are focusing on a staple Quinn Pilates move, every class we do this move and I want us to really focus on getting this right as its a great move to practice at home, when you just need a good old stretch. Not only is it a spine stretch but it is also a hamstring and shoulder stretch. If you are looking for one thing to do every day this little sequence is the one.
One of the things I'm asked the most in class is what mat I would recommend.
This Months Move of the Month is Rolling Like a Ball. This is a great move as not only does it build strength and stamina but it also massages the spine.
As always in class I will break down the stages for you as it a move that involves a bit of confidence as well as skill and strength as I am sure we were all children last time we curled up into a little ball and rocked up and down, but it is a move that is worth it.
This Months Move is the dreaded Push Up not your normal Push Up either we are going to do Tricep Push Ups, I have a love hate relationship with this move, I would love to be amazing at them but my arms obviously hate me as they just sometimes won't do what I want them to do. So I am going to work on this move too and hopefully by the end of July I will be able to do 10 yes 10 (I've put it out there so I have to do it) full push ups.
This month in my classes I will be working on table top position, as I know a lot of people struggle to get themselves in the correct position and are using their legs instead of their stomach muscles to hold them there.