1. What kind of Pilates class is right for me?
All Pilates classes are beneficial, though depending on your individual medical history and physical requirements one format may be more suitable to you than another. You can discuss the best options for you with your Pilates instructor during your initial consultation
Pilates can be undertaken privately (one-to-one), in small groups or in larger groups. Some classes are mat based, using just the body for resistance, or small piece of equipment such as a theraband and magic-circle. Others are in the studio with a range of Pilates equipment and machines, some are undertaken for rehabilitation purposes while other group classes are conducted in a studio with all participants using a machine like a Reformer, Wunda chair, Wall trapeze and spine corrector etc. Each equipment is designed to keep your body safe and offer a range of exercises to strengthen musculature. A trained instructor will select suitable exercises and equipment to suitably challenge your work-out.
2. What should I wear to a Pilates class?
Wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in. Pilates is usually practiced in grip socks which can be purchased here at our studio
3. Can Pilates help with my back pain?
Pilates can help with back pain, provided it is taught properly and practised with care. There is more to healing from back pain than strengthening the abdominals (as is commonly perceived). We work with our clients to help correct faulty movement patterns and strengthen the whole body to enable a life with less pain.
4. Do men do Pilates?
Yes, definitely! When Joseph Pilates created his method 60% of his clientele were men. It can aid in developing athletic ability, meeting specific training goals, developing stamina, and rehabilitating injuries. More and more top-level athletes are incorporating Pilates into their training routines and are seeing results. Everyone benefits from Pilates!
5. Can I do Pilates when I'm pregnant?
Pilates is beneficial throughout pregnancy, though the goal of the work changes as your physical needs change. Pilates can bring a lot of relief during pregnancy and build tools that help during birth and improve the rate of recovery afterwards.
We do not recommend starting an open Pilates class during pregnancy. Pilates in pregnancy should be done in a specialised natal class or in personalised sessions.
6. Can athletes benefit from Pilates?
More and more top level athletes are adding Pilates to their regular workout practice and are seeing and feeling the results! Pilates increases peak fitness by fine-tuning where movement comes from, balancing musculature and developing neural pathways to 'non-dominant' (and underused) parts of the body. This creates the opportunity to move with more ease, fluidity, and power - increasing the athletic ability through regular practice.
7. How do I know how my Pilates Teacher was trained?
Ask your teacher when and where they did their training, and who is their accrediting body they are registered with, in Australia this governing body is Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA). Pilates Intructors undergo extensive training and pass a rigorous examination process to gain membership into the organisation. Not all Pilates teachers are trained to the highest standard, so asking about training before choosing to work with a teacher is important.
8. What's the difference between Pilates and yoga?
Both Pilates and yoga aim to bring the mind's focus inwards to achieve release in the body. Yoga is the practice of exercises in which you move your body into various positions in order to become more fit or flexible, to improve your breathing, and to relax your mind. Pilates is a movement practice that develops fluidity and ease in the body. low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance. While yoga in it's various forms is an ancient practice, Pilates is around 100 years old.
9. What about Pilates DVDs or online classes?
Pilates DVDs and non- supervised online classes can supplement your home practice. However, as Pilates is the practice of alignment through direction and correction, so it is primarily important that you enrol into a supervised class. At Aurea Health we offer in studio mat and equipment classes and on-line supervised classes for those clients who are unable to join us in-studio.
10. How long does it take to see results from Pilates?
Whilst the answer to this question is largely dependent on commitment to practise, to quote Joseph Pilates: “In 10 sessions you will feel better, in 20 you will look better, and in 30 you will have a whole new body.” If you are doing 2-3 classes a week, you should start to see results in 10-12 weeks. If you attend one class a week, you will still see results but it might take longer. At Aurea Health we can develop a personalised 15 minute work out that you can do at home to boost your Pilates training.
11. Am I really doing Pilates?
All Pilates classes are beneficial, though depending on your individual medical history and physical requirements one format may be more suitable to you than another. You can discuss the best options for you with your Pilates instructor during your initial consultation
Pilates can be undertaken privately (one-to-one), in small groups or in larger groups. Some classes are mat based, using just the body for resistance, or small piece of equipment such as a theraband and magic-circle. Others are in the studio with a range of Pilates equipment and machines, some are undertaken for rehabilitation purposes while other group classes are conducted in a studio with all participants using a machine like a Reformer, Wunda chair, Wall trapeze and spine corrector etc. Each equipment is designed to keep your body safe and offer a range of exercises to strengthen musculature. A trained instructor will select suitable exercises and equipment to suitably challenge your work-out.
2. What should I wear to a Pilates class?
Wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in. Pilates is usually practiced in grip socks which can be purchased here at our studio
3. Can Pilates help with my back pain?
Pilates can help with back pain, provided it is taught properly and practised with care. There is more to healing from back pain than strengthening the abdominals (as is commonly perceived). We work with our clients to help correct faulty movement patterns and strengthen the whole body to enable a life with less pain.
4. Do men do Pilates?
Yes, definitely! When Joseph Pilates created his method 60% of his clientele were men. It can aid in developing athletic ability, meeting specific training goals, developing stamina, and rehabilitating injuries. More and more top-level athletes are incorporating Pilates into their training routines and are seeing results. Everyone benefits from Pilates!
5. Can I do Pilates when I'm pregnant?
Pilates is beneficial throughout pregnancy, though the goal of the work changes as your physical needs change. Pilates can bring a lot of relief during pregnancy and build tools that help during birth and improve the rate of recovery afterwards.
We do not recommend starting an open Pilates class during pregnancy. Pilates in pregnancy should be done in a specialised natal class or in personalised sessions.
6. Can athletes benefit from Pilates?
More and more top level athletes are adding Pilates to their regular workout practice and are seeing and feeling the results! Pilates increases peak fitness by fine-tuning where movement comes from, balancing musculature and developing neural pathways to 'non-dominant' (and underused) parts of the body. This creates the opportunity to move with more ease, fluidity, and power - increasing the athletic ability through regular practice.
7. How do I know how my Pilates Teacher was trained?
Ask your teacher when and where they did their training, and who is their accrediting body they are registered with, in Australia this governing body is Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA). Pilates Intructors undergo extensive training and pass a rigorous examination process to gain membership into the organisation. Not all Pilates teachers are trained to the highest standard, so asking about training before choosing to work with a teacher is important.
8. What's the difference between Pilates and yoga?
Both Pilates and yoga aim to bring the mind's focus inwards to achieve release in the body. Yoga is the practice of exercises in which you move your body into various positions in order to become more fit or flexible, to improve your breathing, and to relax your mind. Pilates is a movement practice that develops fluidity and ease in the body. low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance. While yoga in it's various forms is an ancient practice, Pilates is around 100 years old.
9. What about Pilates DVDs or online classes?
Pilates DVDs and non- supervised online classes can supplement your home practice. However, as Pilates is the practice of alignment through direction and correction, so it is primarily important that you enrol into a supervised class. At Aurea Health we offer in studio mat and equipment classes and on-line supervised classes for those clients who are unable to join us in-studio.
10. How long does it take to see results from Pilates?
Whilst the answer to this question is largely dependent on commitment to practise, to quote Joseph Pilates: “In 10 sessions you will feel better, in 20 you will look better, and in 30 you will have a whole new body.” If you are doing 2-3 classes a week, you should start to see results in 10-12 weeks. If you attend one class a week, you will still see results but it might take longer. At Aurea Health we can develop a personalised 15 minute work out that you can do at home to boost your Pilates training.
11. Am I really doing Pilates?
- Can you feel your core working? Centering is one of the main principles of Pilates, where all movement is initiated from a stable, centered space. It takes awareness, concentration, and control to move this way. If your workout seems erratic and lacks the core connection, you are not doing Pilates.
- Is there a focus on breathing? In Pilates it is essential to focus on the breath along with the exercise. Pilates movements help to improve breathing, and Pilates breathing can make the moves easier or more challenging. If the breath is not part of the exercises you are doing, it's not really Pilates.
- Is it continually challenging? Doing Pilates well takes work. Mental and physical effort is required to keep all of your body parts working efficiently to create specific movements. If you are not being fed details to continually improve your practice, you are not doing Pilates.
- Why isn't my instructor doing the class too? Pilates teachers don't work out with you so they can watch you and correct your movements. These corrections and modifications can bring great benefits to your body. If you are not your instructors focal point, it may not be Pilates.
- Is it supposed to hurt this much? No! Pilates is not meant to over fatigue muscles, and quality is more important than quantity. After a Pilates workout you should feel energised, and function well for the rest of the day.