Embodi
PILATES
Pilates is more than just a workout.
Any person who’s been doing it for at least a
couple of months knows that Pilates doesn’t only support and strengthen your
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body but it also clears your mind and gives you energy and inner serenity.
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The most amazing part happens when students start seeing changes not only in
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their bodies but also in their minds, in their emotions and in their lives altogether.
I've just finished my first Pilates course at ENERGYBODi, and I can hardly wait to carry on.
I've been practicing Ashtanga yoga for years, but was struggling with an injury/poor posture in my shoulders.
A head/whiplash injury several months ago worsened my neck and shoulder problems, and brought me to Pilates to try and take a more active role in my recovery. My pain was much improved after the very first session.
My body feels different in general and I have learned some simple techniques I can continue to practice every day to keep my body relaxed and pain free. I have also been really aware of how rested and rejuvenated I feel after classes.
I love the self massage and mindfulness techniques you include and the music has been really
excellent. This has been so much more than just a physical movement class for me, you have really nurtured my whole self with the lovely safe space you hold and the care you show.
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'Heather, you are such an attentive, skillful teacher. Your dedication and passion shines from you, and I am very grateful for your wonderful work! Thank you,''
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Sarah Grundy.
Most people have no idea how good
their bodies can feel!
Embodied Pilates is an approach to the practice of Pilates that emphasizes the integration of mind and body, and the cultivation of a deeper awareness and connection with the body's physical experiences and sensations.
Embodied Pilates practitioners use a variety of techniques and practices, including mindful movement, breathwork, visualization, and other somatic practices, to help individuals develop a more profound sense of embodiment and connection with their bodies.
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The goal of embodied Pilates is to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing by helping individuals to develop a deeper understanding of their own bodies and to release patterns of tension and stress that can interfere with optimal health and functioning. By cultivating a greater sense of embodiment and connection with the body, embodied Pilates can help individuals to improve their posture, balance, flexibility, and overall physical health, while also reducing stress and promoting emotional and mental wellbeing.
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Embodied Pilates is often used as a complement to other forms of therapy or as a standalone practice. It is suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels and can be adapted to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual. Overall, embodied Pilates is a holistic and integrative approach to health and wellbeing that recognizes the complex interplay between the mind and body and promotes a deeper sense of self-awareness and personal empowerment.
“Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things.” J Pilates
For Joseph Pilates, the health of mind and body are inextricably linked. “Physical fitness,” he believed, “is the first requisite of happiness.” This basic principle is the foundation of the Pilates method, which is a program of specific and controlled exercises that stimulate the mind and body.
The focus of Pilates is that what counts is not so much what you do, but rather how you do it. Pilates isn’t aerobics: it demands intense concentration and focus on posture, core muscles and breathing. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, where precision is everything.
As Joseph Pilates said, “a few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion.”
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Along with exercises to strengthen the core, Pilates teaches a precise focus on breath: “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.”
His method teaches various breathing techniques to enhance relaxation, lower blood pressure, and activate specific muscles that help improve posture. This, he believed, was vital: “It is tragically deplorable to contemplate the millions who have never mastered the art of correct breathing.”