Reformer on the Mat is a challenging and physically demanding form of mat work. When transferring the reformer exercises on to the mat, effectively removing the support or resistance of the machine a whole new repertoire of exercises emerges. In some cases the exercises become more challenging because the body no longer has the assistance of the spring and reformer frame, but in other cases the exercises become easier when they are performed on the stable surface of the mat. In most cases the exercises become significantly more challenging as the weight of the legs are no longer suppor ..read more

New Beginners Pilates Course. Start date to be confirmed subject to numbers but it will held at Alderely Edge Community Primary School Saturday 11.30am – 12.30pm 4-week course, at the end of this course clients will be moved into existing group classes For further information and join the waiting list please email juleshardman.pilates@me.com       ..read more

Nothing feels more debilitating than getting injured. At first, you can feel defeated due to the ‘inconvenience’ on your plans and lifestyle. On the flip side, it could be the start of a tremendous journey of re-discovery, new plans, and strength not yet experienced before.   What Causes Injuries? In general, there are two ways in which injuries occur. An acute injury is a single blunt force or a traumatic event such as a fall or collision that can result in fractures, dislocations, breaks, or sprains. Overuse injuries are usually subtle and occur over time from misalignment, poor form, a ..read more

As the evenings grow darker and the frosty weather closes in, the spreads of delicious food  begin to fill your tables. Winter is the perfect time to take up Pilates, and here’s why: Boost Mood and Relieve Stress The darkness that comes along with winter can often overwhelm your mental health. With common conditions such as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) becoming ever present when the dark nights get longer, the endorphins released during Pilates can have a positive effect on mood and stress levels. Avoid Injury Many people become less active as the cold weather arrives, this can lead ..read more

New Beginners Pilates Classes   Alderely Edge Community Primary School Starting Saturday 30th September 11.30am – 12.30pm 4-week course, at the end of this course clients will be moved into existing group classes For further information and how to book, please email juleshardman.pilates@me.com   ..read more

The children are back at school so whether you are a parent or grandparent grab yourself some ME time. With more time on your hands now is the time to join a Pilates class. It’s well known that physically active can lead to a healthier and happier life. Pilates is a great form of exercise and after a few sessions you will start to feel the benefits of regular exercise. Pilates is a refreshing mind-body workout… In Pilates the quality of movement is more important than the quantity of repetitions. Correct breathing is essential, and helps you execute movements with maximum power and efficiency ..read more

51% of adult cyclists in the UK ride for recreation, health, and fitness. This statistic highlights the fact that cycling is not only a great way to get around, but also a great way to stay active and healthy. It also shows that cycling is becoming increasingly popular among adults in the UK, which is a positive sign for the future of cycling in the country. Training for cycling has been traditionally very simple; the more miles the better! But could the introduction of Pilates help the cyclist? The answer to this is a resounding yes – at both an elite level, and also for someone who is using ..read more

Many gardeners complain of low back pain after a hard day’s work of weeding or digging. While these tasks potentially require a lot of bending over, many gardeners do not realize that leg strength and flexibility or lack of can contribute to the overall health of your low spine. If there is a lack of flexibility in the hamstrings and hip joints then the action of bending over and flexing the spine places a lot more stress on the lumbar area. Gardening is a great form of exercise and like any form of exercise gardeners should maintain an awareness of posture and good alignment. Pilates can set ..read more

Improving your health during the menopause is essential but it’s just as important to prepare your body for menopause as well as looking after it post menopause. Exercise is the perfect way to improve your physical and emotional wellbeing but as your body experiences the changes that come with menopause you may be unsure what is safe and effective for you. Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals and why Pilates is so valuable. Two significant factors for women going through the menopause is health risk to our cardiovascular system and bone strength. Maintaining physical activity not ..read more

Running is a very high impact sport which places the joints under a lot of stress. It is a great exercise for improved cardiovascular fitness, but when practiced alone, especially in high volumes running can quickly take its toll on the body and niggles and injuries may start to appear. Pilates is an excellent choice of complimentary training for a runner as it’s low impact so will not place the body under further stress while strengthening the important core stabilizing muscles and help maintain good biomechanics under fatigue. Over time Pilates exercises can help by activating the lazy muscl ..read more