What benefits have these sessions brought to your life?
The classes have made me taller in the saddle, with a longer back, deeper seat and a longer, straighter leg position. My flat work instructor has commented on the improvement in my position and we could see the improvement in how my horse went. The deeper seat and longer leg allowed me to get him to engage his hindquarters more, which gave him a better outline and lightened him in my hands.
I have recently had bilateral bunion surgery and have managed to attend pilates classes for 3 weeks whilst wearing the corrective footwear. Becky was really accommodating and brought a ball for me to sit on and adapted some of the exercises for me.
I really think that my CALMA skills have helped me to cope with this surgery. When you are wearing the corrective shoes you have to walk on your heels for 6 weeks, the skills that I learnt in Beckys' lessons enabled me to quickly get my balance. I was also able to move my toes independently.
Since having the plates removed I have quickly regained my balance and started to get movement back in my big toes - again I believe down to the skills gained in my Pilates lessons. Until you lose the main functions of your feet you do not realise how much you use them. Becky is always telling us that our feet play a big part in how our body works - I now have first hand experience of this and I can assure you it is true. You cannot even get up off the floor without the full use of your feet.
1 hour of calm every week
Better posture
Better sleep
Strategies for relaxing
More stamina and 'get up and go'
Hope for conquering long-standing tummy bulge & back problem
More body awareness
Fun & friendship
It's an exercise regime that I'm happy to commit to
It is the most holistic exercise I have participated in. Better than yoga. The focus on body control calms the mind
Help with mobility and balance
Met some local people
It has given me the start I needed to get out of the house whilst giving gentle exercise
More energy. Body has toned
Strong core muscles
More flexibility
Helped to strengthen muscles surrounding hip joint
Better awareness of my breathing and muscles
Definitely helped with aching back and shoulders
Better awareness of body and movements
The sessions have made me more aware of how I stand and move. I feel taller and thinner. Feels great. Although I have only lost a few pounds in weight, I can now get into some clothes which were extremely tight! Must be doing something right!
Huge benefits both physically and mentally. I can now stand and walk for long periods, which was impossible before. For one hour a week I can focus on nothing else and I always leave feeling calmed, refreshed and stretched
Taken 5-10 years off the age I felt before I started
Some 'me' time
I have more energy and gotten back in tune with my body and what it's telling me
Feeling fitter and lighter. Better sense of balance. Actually enjoying exercise!
Sleep well after sessions
Motivation to exercise
Improved performance and times during runs. Increased mobility. Relaxation and positivity
I feel it has reduced my stress levels and made me more relaxed
Something fun to do each week. Feel trimmer. Tummy is flatter. It's good for my brain to learn something new each week. I can practice the exercises whilst doing other things eg housework, cleaning my teeth, gardening. I have a better awareness of my bodyparts
It gives me a break from putting the kids to bed each week - some precious 'me' time. The sessions have made me conscious of my body in a very positive way - that has affected how I move and do things day-to-day
I used to struggle to reach around and get my waterbottle on the side of my rucsac while out walking. Now it's no problem whatsoever! I'm also more at ease walking in places where I used to feel unstable and nervous. And I can put my walking boots on without having to sit down!
I've been up a ladder, helping my daughter decorate, and have felt so much more stable than I used to
I can put my tights on without having to sit down!
I always enjoy the sessions and leave feeling much calmer, fitter and more alert than I arrived
What differences/changes have you felt in your body since starting?
Flatter stomach
Freer back
Better posture
More body awareness
Less tension in shoulders, so less aches
Extra flexibility in most parts of my body
Toned legs and bottom
Being able to relax body and mind while exercising
Flatter tummy
More awareness of posture
Less aches and pains
Improvement in mobility
Balance has improved. Less stiffness
Movements in my joints are better and my muscles are beginning to feel stronger
Although have not lost weight, feel I have. Body has toned
Able to stretch further
More strength
Stronger core muscles
More supple
Feel stronger, posture improved, less tension in muscles
My balance is improving dramatically and ease of movement. Just turning to look in the rear car window is so much easier. I feel fitter and happier. To me, after many years of dieting and the gym, I think Pilates has shown me the way forward. Long may it last!
My posture is much improved. My troublesome lower back is much stronger and my waist measurement is reduced. I also find my insomnia is much improved after a session. The tension in my shoulders is greatly reduced and general muscle-tone increased
Increased core strength. Worked wonders for my knee mobility
Joint pain and other menopausal symptoms are reduced. My balance has improved and I am more sure-footed (been a problem in recent years)
Better posture - my partner says I look much better. Tighter muscles, especially the bum
More balanced
Not so stiff
Mobility. Breathing/lung capacity when done with running
I feel that I am standing taller and therefore feel that I look better generally
More flexible and a bit more energy. Further sessions can only improve my flexibility and energy levels
I feel that I am more conscious of the way I am standing as well as sitting (eg driving the car). I feel more supple and very relaxed at the end of each session
I feel taller with better posture and I know my core is getting stronger because I can do exercises now which seemed impossible when I started. My shoulders are less rounded too
My son is convinced I'm getting taller!
My tummy is flatter and my clothes are looser. I haven't lost weight (and don't want to!) but people say I look thinner so I think I am more toned and slimmer round the middle. I feel more flexible and a stiff neck that I had before I started the classes has got better.
What do you enjoy most about the sessions?
Feeling different at the end, to the beginning
The relaxation and the company
Relaxing
Structured exercises building-up on past work and extending to new
The flexibility for all members to either take it easy if they wish to do so, or to do the tougher movements for those who are able to
The gentle approach and description of exercises
Giggles!
The imaginative way the exercises are described
Feeling fitter and more flexible & sometimes sleeping better the night after
It's fun and local. Nice group and nice teacher. No egos! It's quirky
Relaxed atmosphere. Regular exercise
Happy, peaceful hour
I love the work with the ball. The relaxed, friendly atmosphere
A calm, relaxing atmosphere
Able to go at own pace, pushing yourself if you want to or not
Focusing on muscles and breathing
All of it, especially with the ball
Relaxing, sociable and fun
I like the small class. There is a lot of variety in your programmes and you make it such fun. I like the way you devise exercises which you think are more relevant for us and not just from the book
One hour of concentration on myself which pushes all the worries to one side. The constant variety keeps up the concentration level and the time flies in company of nice people with a light-hearted attitude. I always feel much better after than before
The overall stretching and toning up. The end results
Calmness and extending ones body a little more
I enjoy your care and attention, individual guidance and advice. Your sense of humour and the way you explain postures etc. The opportunity to switch venue is really useful
The exercises are fun with not too many repetitions. A lovely glow all over at the end - feeling I've worked my whole body
Not boring - different exercises each week
Joy and well-being. Smiles at the end of each session from all. Energy at the end even if I had a tiring day at work. Always enjoyable. A real joy and gift each week. Thank-you
The relaxation and gentle exercise. I always feel better after the session
Being in a friendly group with a good teacher and learning something which improves body and mind
The picturesque way Becky describes the movements helps me to remember what to do. Becky makes the sessions fun with lots of giggles. We do lots of new things each week and build on what have already learnt
The atmosphere, the camaraderie and Becky's input. She works hard to keep each session fresh and is constantly updating exercises and introducing new ones. Why would you want to stop - I'd hate to miss out as the sessions evolve!
I like the way Becky uses imagery and metaphors to make the exercises easy to understand. Also, Becky is always researching new things so there is always something new to learn. Becky also makes it fun and lighthearted. (I have found Pilates a bit dull in the past but that's definitely not the case with Becky's classes!)
