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ā¼ļø Before you scroll past ā¼ļø
Now I know this isnāt very aesthetic and exciting but itās not meant to be. Iām barely moving which is the intention.
This week is a fresh start so we are stripping right back to basic Pilates. Even if you have been coming for years, we are going back to the beginning.
No equipment
No choreography
No coordinated flows
Much as I really love all the above we are remembering what Pilates is really about:
Controlling the trunk whilst moving our limbs with a connection of mind to body through concentration, breathe and correct technique.
As much for our mind as our body.
Plus we are supporting our community by using halls in our villages. This also keeps my prices affordable š„°
To find out more and book your place please message me or email zoe@northernpilates.co.uk
#matpilates #matpilatesclass #beginnerspilates #backtobasic #pilatesteacher
Just us and the mat š¤
Whether youāre feeling good or not, you will feel better after moving your body.
You wonāt leave class and think āI wish I hadnāt done thatā.
All you need to do is turn up š
This week will be our āback to basicsā class. Even if youāve been coming to class all summer, we are all starting from scratch. Itās good to remind ourselves of the correct technique and why we are doing each exercise.
Canāt wait to see you for our new term starting Monday 31st August.
There are only a few spaces left on most classes so please donāt miss out.
Email zoe@northernpilates.co.uk
#basicpilates #beginnerspilates #pilatestechnique #matpilatesclass #matpilates
Time to start living.
Instead of just surviving.
For longer than I would like to admit, life has been challenging. Iāve had my head down, focussed on work, family and juggling finances.
Yesterday I hiked the Yorkshire 3 peaks, it was very humbling and lots of things recently have put the world into perspective.
I found yesterday very challenging and have to acknowledge I have not been prioritising my health.
Autumn is my favourite time of year so now my focus is on enjoying life and finding balance. Being grateful for all the lovely people in my life and for the lessons learned during tough times.
This weekend has been wonderful. Thank you @mialaurengreen and @antonrochee
If you are or have been going through a difficult time, I wish you lots of inner strength and resilience. Things will get better.
Love
Zoe xxx
Hopefully this 5th heatwave will be the last this summer. Weāve been taking it easy in class this week. Back to basics š§”
#classicalpilates #mat #matpilates #josephpilates #heatwave
Love your back š
Itās the only one youāve got š
#spine #spinehealth #healthyback #back #posteriorchain
What is barre pilates?
First of all a ābarreā is a horizontal handrail attached to a wall or a free standing rail fixed on a sturdy base. The barre is there to support some of the movements where balancing might be more challenging if we balance on one leg or go up on our toes.
We do not put our legs on the barre š (I often get asked this)
To do barre class you do not need any dance training or to be very flexible (this gets asked a lot too āŗļø)
In fact, this class is excellent if you have mobility issues and struggle with getting up and down from the floor.
I have been teaching barre for many years and itās one of my favourite classes. I wanted to share my love of this class and open it up to people who may not have thought about trying it.
Thatās why Iām starting a new Monday lunchtime class at the lovely studio in Skelmanthorpe community centre. Everyone is welcome and we will start our new class at a beginner level.
I also have a barre class Friday 10am and this is a more advanced level so, as always, there is the option to swap around with classes if you canāt attend your usual class or you fancy a challenge.
Rather than me listing all the benefits of doing this class, why not come along and give it a try.
Starting Monday 31st August 12.30pm. Please message me to book š¤
#barre #barrefitness #barreworkout #barreinstructor #barrelife
Exercises on all fours/4 point are a really effective way to work so many muscles groups.
If you canāt kneel due to knee/ankle/shoulder/wrist problems then all of these can be adapted to standing exercises.
Full explanations given in classes online and in person.
Message me zoe@northernpilates.co.uk š
#allfours #fullbodyexercise #posteriorchain #pilates #core
Thereās a lot of information and advice about using weights and we absolutely should be strength training at every age. Especially in our 50ās and over.
The leg movements Iām doing are secondary but really advisable, especially with the hot weather weāve been experiencing lately.
This is because, moving the lower body, especially calf raises, will prevent blood pooling and circulate blood back to our organs.
If you have low blood pressure or ever feel faint when standing for a long time, any foot and leg movement is helpful.
Simple marching on the spot or heel raises is fine if you canāt remember what to do or are not feeling very coordinated.
Many benefits to moving instead of being static when doing free weights:
š©ø Circulation
āļø Balance
š Coordination
šŖš¼ Lower body strength
Feet are our foundation!
Do you have flat feet?
Maybe you have but you donāt know and have no problems. You may never experience problems but here are some ideas if youāre concerned or have ever had plantar fasciitis.
Correct footwear is also very important for, not only foot health, but overall body mechanics.
Try some of these foot stretches and check your outdoor footwear. Try to be barefoot in the house as much as possible š¦¶
Be kind to your shoulders š
Try these stretchy/mobility exercises and follow me for more happy shoulder and neck ideas š”
Are you thinking āthese are not abdominal exercises to strengthen my coreā?
I would completely understand if you were š¤
Standing correctly and moving with good form is the most functional and accessible way to strengthen your deep core muscles. You donāt really need a bender ball to do these.
I ALWAYS include standing and balance in my classes. Whatās the point of being really strong on the mat but not being able to use that ability when you are living life and doing every day activities?
Feel more confident in your body and live your life to the fullest š
Follow me to see more like this and message zoe@northernpilates.co.uk for enquiries š
No equipment needed āŗļø just soft sand šļø
Happy Sunday š
Looking forward to another strong week for abs and glutes next week šŖš¼
Save these ab exercises using the bender ball and loop band š§”
Try 8 reps of each exercise, each side (where relevant) and you will feel a stronger core and flatter tummy if you practise 3 times a week for a couple of weeks.
Please save, share, comment and let me know how you get on with them š
How to lie safely with the bender ball (small pilates ball) in a supine position. Trying to lie on top of it can cause injury xx
Strong quads = strong knees
Try these wall assisted exercises to see and feel your quads get stronger
Sissy squats x 8 with 8 second hold
Knee taps x 6
Wall sit x 4 with 30 second hold
Internal rotations x 6 each side
Quad stretch hold for 20 seconds
Inner thighs are, in my opinion, one of the hardest muscle groups to target without gym equipment. They are responsible for drawing the legs inwards and stabilising the pelvis.
I have been mentioning ankle weights all week in class last week and they are such a good investment as they can also be used on our wrists when we do our upper body focus.
Iāll mention more on my story about ankle weights later. The ones Iām wearing here are 1.5kg each.
These exercises are just a snippet of what we did in class this week. Well done everyone!
Mobility Stretching
At the beginning of every class we do several mobility stretches in order to prepare our joints and muscles for the exercises on the mat.
These stretches are constantly moving and help to improve our range of movement and reduce risk of injury. Also lubricating the joints and allowing the body to move more freely.
I rarely include developmental/static stretches at the end of class now except the very last class of the āblockā which is our wind down and relax class.
Look out for more details about stretching, pros and consā¦ā¦ā¦
What a fab week getting back to class after a week off! Thank you everyone š
Lovely Kathryn has attended 3 classes this week š
She was on holiday for a couple of weeks so made up for these missed classes by slotting into my other classes at different venues.
I offer a mixture of online and in person classes. My timetables are in the highlights and on my story.
I am making a few changes and adding some of our extra one off classes soon too.
All bookings are made directly with me, no booking apps, just message me.
As life is busy I always offer the opportunity to join a different class to your regular class as I would rather you didnāt miss. Consistency is key!
If you just canāt make it to class then I send you a 40 minute video to do at home in your own time as many times as you like.
Please message me or email zoe@northernpilates.co.uk to join š
Itās flip flop seasonā¦..
Some of you know how much I donāt like flip flops. Donāt get me wrong, I have some and wear them occasionally but never if Iām walking any distance.
Not only are they bad for your feet:
š£ no arch support could cause ligament damage and plantar fasciitis
š£ constant gripping with toes can result in cramping, poor gait and posture
š£ flimsy sole without any cushioning and no stability increases risk of falling
Wearing them regularly can lead to back, hip and knee injuries.
I also feel the same about the ballet slipper shoes the girls wear for school. Brogues would be much better but I canāt get my daughter to wear them and Iāve never seen any girls at school in them.
Donāt throw away your flip flops š©“ just donāt wear them all summer š„°
#gait #posture #feet #balance
High plank exercises are fun and effective but are not suitable for everybody.
In many classes, people come and they might have a niggle or a new injury or are just not feeling šÆ
Thatās no problem and Iām so grateful that they have still come to class š
There are so many modifications for most exercises, even adapting to standing for some.
Trust your body, listen and respect it š¤
Still show up to class and, even if you might not do as much as usual, youāve kept your routine and healthy habit š
Do you think you could try a few of these exercises?
Would you like to see the modifications?
Tip: these are a bit easier in trainers than just your socks like we do in class
#highplank #core #strong #fitover50 #strength