Pilates is an exercise program that focuses on both your body and mind to create core stability, postural alignment and mental well-being.

Pilates is great for overall strengthening of the body and highly effective when used for specific rehabilitation of injuries and conditions. Pilates is an appropriate and safe form of exercise for people of any age or body type, as programs are individually tailored to your body and its specific needs.

It is a fantastic form of exercise for pregnancy, and is wonderful for helping your postnatal recovery. 

When working in any of our three fully equipped pilates studios in Brisbane you will have the benefit of working in small, highly supervised classes, with ourprofessional instructors ensuring you work effectively and safely.

In each session you work through exercises given specifically for you by your instructor, which will be changed and updated as you progress. You will be closely supervised by a teacher, as we have a maximum of 4 clients per teacher.

Our mat classes are only offered off site for corporate or organisations wanting special classes.  Please contact us for more information about our mat classes. 

The latest pilates workshops and training courses

Both studio and mat work involve the use of the key principles of Pilates. Each is aimed at strengthening your stomach muscles as a core support for your body.

Studio work involves the use of specialised equipment only available at a studio, such as a Reformer. A studio class will only have three or four people with one instructor. Each person will be doing their own special program, but will be supervised by instructors. As your body becomes stronger, and more stable you will be given new exercises to increase your challenge. Studio work is ideal for all people and specifically addresses your body's specific needs e.g. postural problems, injuries and specific goals. All clients wanting to start studio work must start with a private initial consultation.

In a mat class you do not use the Pilates equipment - all exercises are performed on a mat. There are different levels from beginner to advanced, with up to seven people per instructor. A mat class is very good for your cardio fitness as well as general toning, however, it does not address specific injury or postural problems, since the classes are more generalised with each person doing the same exercises (with some adjustments for different people). All clients starting a mat class must start at a beginners level unless they have completed at least ten studio sessions. 

How much Pilates should I do each week?

A Pilates session requires an hour of your time. Sometimes a class will be a little longer or a little less. Ideally you should try to attend two to three sessions a week, which allows your body to build strength and for you to reinforce the things that you have learned. Remember that Pilates helps to address "muscular and postural habits", which have sometimes been building over a very long time, and cannot be addressed unless you are regularly reinforcing what you have learned.

Many people come to Pilates once a week and still build strength and understanding of the exercise. Different bodies respond differently, but as a guide it is at least a good idea to have two sessions a week when you first start.

Do I get to try different exercises?

Yes, your repertoire of work will slowly increase and you will get to try new and different exercises over time. All of the exercises are based on an understanding of the Method and of muscle use. As you become more comfortable with the foundations of the Method, and your body becomes stronger, we will slowly challenge your body with more complex exercises. Our instructors will guide you so that you work safely but, at the same time, make sure that you are progressing.

Is it a Cardiovascular exercise?

At a beginner level pilates is not a cardiovascular exercise. It requires you to be very precise and careful in your movements and this will generally mean you need to work slowly and mindfully. At an intermediate or advanced level we can incorporate cardiovascular focus, provided you are working safely.

What if I am in pain?

If you have any problems or pain you must tell your instructor at the beginning of the class. Your program will be changed to help reduce your pain, and to make sure you do not do any further damage to your body.  If you are currently receiving treatment from a medical or health professional, it may be helpful for us to liaise with them, with your permission.

What if I am pregnant?

Pilates is a safe and effective exercise for most pregnant women and for those who have recently given birth.

The exercise helps:

• address postural problems
• pelvic floor strength
• abdominal and back strength
• recovery from birth
• 
  

We have special prenatal, postnatal, and mother and baby classes. There is an information sheet about pregnancy on our website.

All prenatal clients must start with a private initial consultation whether it is for a studio class or the special prenatal mat class. Please note that a certificate from your treating doctor is required before you start classes. See times and prices.

How do I start?

You will start with an initial consultation, which is a private class. We use the initial consultation to assess your body and determine the best possible program for your needs. We start to teach you about the Pilates method in an intense lesson with just you and an instructor. The Pilates method is designed to help you better understand your body and to help address postural, body alignment and other problems that can cause pain. You will learn a breathing method which is integral to all the Pilates Method exercises. In some cases we will suggest that you need to have a second individual lesson to further consolidate the information about the Pilates method.

See information pack.

What do I need?

You need:

• light exercise clothing, as close to form-fitting as you are comfortable with
• clean socks
• something to tie your hair back if you have long hair
• a towel if you wish to have a shower after Pilates

Can I just turn up, like a gym?

No. All Pilates classes are run on an appointment basis only. This is so we can ensure you receive the proper instruction and supervision. The Pilates Method requires precision and care if you are to receive the maximum benefit from the exercises. If you are to receive that benefit we need to make sure we have the trained staff available to help you. We will only book a maximum of four clients, and generally only three, to one instructor.

What happens if I cannot make an appointment?

You need to telephone us at least 24 hours before your appointment. This way some one else can have your appointment or we can reschedule staff. If you do not notify us at least 24 hours before your appointment, we may charge a cancellation fee.

Can I have a permanent booking each week?
Yes, it is better that way because you can plan your week to include Pilates. If you would like to come at the same time each week it is easy to have us add you to our permanent booking records and your booking will be available each week.  However, if you have a varying timetable, we can be flexible with your appointment.

Studio pilates is an individualised approach to this method of exercise. Each person must have an initial consultation ($70) when they first start at the studio. In this consultation your postural strengths and weaknesses are assessed and basic concepts of core strength and flexibility are taught.

In a studio class each person is undertaking their own program and your work is supervised by a teacher who will vary the exercises or give you assistance depending on your body's needs at that time. There will be up to four people in a class, all of whom are supervised by the same teacher. This style of class ensures that you receive feedback and assistance in moving your body with the correct muscular patterning.

In studio classes you will be given greater kinesthetic (ie. your positioning in space) assistance through the teachers feedback on the movement of your body. This will mean that over time you are able to take your knowledge of posture and placement into all your daily activities. This greater kinesthetic awareness allows you to obtain an improved posture, allowing more freedom and strength in your movements and helping to diminish the poor posture and muscular and joint patterning that is contributing to pain and injuries.

Pilates helps tone and strengthen your body through the use of resistance from springs, bands, small weights, and your own body weight. As a result you will find that regular pilates will give you the flat lean muscles, of dancers, rather than of body builders. Over time you will aquire the strength that allows you to lift and utilize your body weight rather than the strength of lifting weights at a gym.

Studio pilates can be appropriate for pregnancy, people with osteoporosis, people following breast cancer surgery, people with back and knee injuries and many other specific conditions.

Pilates is also a great way of helping to strengthen and improve your general condition and abilities as a dancer, cyclist, swimmer, runner or whatever your area of interest.

You can download our information pack to find out more about our times and prices, what to wear and how you go about making appointments etc.

Joseph Pilates developed studio (or equipment) pilates as a means of improving the strength and flexibility of his clients, many of whom were unable to perform his more strenuous mat exercises when they first started to attend pilates classes. This is important to remember when you are starting your mat classes, as at an intermediate and advanced level pilates mat work is very hard and can be dangerous unless closely supervised. At a beginner and early intermediate level we will be working to make sure you have good basic core strength to ensure you can safely undertake an intermediate level mat class.

At the Pilates and Healing Centre we provide Mat classes at people's work places.  The pricing of these corporate mat classes is $104 for a minimum of 8 people and $13.50 per person thereafter to a maximum of 15 people.    This allows us to supervise your progress and make some modifications as appropriate for your body. In a mat class the pilates teacher will be taking you through a class that will work all your muscle groups, and at times utilising small apparatus such as weights, magic circles, foam rollers, balls and bands to help build your strength, flexibility and balance.  We have several different types of group classes, and they are listed on the schedule.   the classes include:

Functional Fitness

This class is designed to improve movement function through proper attention to alignment and form.  The class objectives are to improve cardio output, build endurance and strength and increase mobility.   It is great for weight loss, improving athleticism and challenging your physical capability.  We do not recommend this class for those clients just returning to exercise recovering from injury or within three months post partum.

Pilates Matwork

In this class you will build upon an existing pilates practice.  The class is designed to increase body awareness, build endurance and strength and improve flexibility.  We do not recommend this class for those clients recovering from injury or within the first 12 weeks of post partum. 

Pilates Small Apparatus

This class uses various small apparatus and builds upon the fundamentals learned in pilates matwork.   We will focus on sculpting core muscles, improving coordination and flexibility and developing lasting strength from the inside out. 

Spine Opener

In this class you will increase flexibility, improve posture, decrease back pain and gently develop core strength and tone.  THis is to help you cultivate a mobile spine and improve your overall wellbeing through focused stretching, breathing and relaxation techniques.  This class is recommended for everyone.

Dance Conditioning 

In this class you will have fun to improve coordination, cardio output and sequencing.  No previous dance experience is required.  This class is recommended for a good laugh. 

In these classes all your mats and equipment are provided, and clients are screened to ensure that a mat class is suitable given any injuries or health concerns. For more information about booking corporate classes, what to wear, times and prices please contact us on 3892 2002.

 

Pilates and Pregnancy 

Pilates is suitable for pregnant women, through all stages of their pregnancy. Our studio classes are tailored to each participant , so that we can provide you with the support and strength needed throughout pregnancy and motherhood.  Don't forget we have a  creche service available for mother's wanting to attend their Pilates classes.