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Last modified:
15/07/2001

  


Pilates

I have been using Pilates to help with my ULDs. I have been going for a year and it has been very beneficial. Especially with my neck/shoulder and upper-arm pains.

It is based on eight principles:

  • Relaxation
  • Concentration
  • Alignment
  • Breathing
  • Centring
  • Co-ordination
  • Flowing Movements
  • Stamina
Four points I'd like to add.

  1. I'd strongly recommend that you go to a class with an approved instructor. These are registered with the Body Control Pilates Association.* (It's the Pilates equivalent of the STAT for the Alexander Technique.) They will have had the full three-year(?) training and the classes will never have more than 12 people in them - so you get the hands-on guidance from the instructor that you need. The classes I go to are generally 10 women: 2 men. Ages range between late teens to post-retirement. The Lynne Robinson videos are very good but I think you really need to start with a proper class to get the maximum benefit.

  2. At a Body Control class, you will be asked to complete a form to give the instructor an outline of your health history and concerns. Most people in my class have some long-standing health problem and our instructor is very good at remembering our problems. Almost all of the exercises can be adapted to accommodate everyone's particular needs. For example, the Cat (like the Yoga exercise) for which you have to kneel on all fours and raise your back etc, can also be done sitting on a chair - important if you have shoulder/elbow/wrist problems.

  3. The classes begin with 'release' and 'lengthening' exercises. Both standing and in the semi-supine position from AT. The breathing and whole feel of the lessons is much like AT (as the list of principles above shows) but it is also similar to Tai Chi, Yoga and ballet. It works out much cheaper than AT 'cos it's mainly taught in group. I pay �75 for 10 lessons (75-90 minutes). A remedial one-to-one lesson (recommended if someone has a severe health problem and wants to get a tailored programme) is �35 for 90 minutes (but that's in Hertfordshire so prices may vary elsewhere).

  4. It's only once you've begun to loosen out and lengthen that the classes move on to work on specific muscle groups. It's not a sweaty exercise regime and when I used to go to the late session (finishing at 22.00) I felt refreshed but also relaxed enough to go to sleep afterwards. But you do feel trimmer and sleeker for doing it. And it does build stamina. For me, it was a really good way to get fit again and ready to get back to full-time work having had a long period at home (recovering and procrastinating over my dissertation...).

    * SAE for national list of teachers from The Body Control Pilates Association, 17 Queensberry Mews West, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DY. Information Line 0870 169 0000

    -- Hilary Johnson