We all know we should be moving more and that we feel better afterward. You might have thought it’s the endorphins from the physical exercise and outlet of the stress but there’s something more that happens in a Pilates class.

A lot of our clients tell us there’s a whole sense that the whole body feels better after they finish their class. It’s a sense of well-being in some difficult-to-describe way.

Why is that? And, what is that feeling?

A few years ago there was a whole "Sitting Is The New Smoking" movement that swept the media (just Google it if you missed the hype).

Personally I was never took part or joined in with that idea.

I didn’t like the ‘scare tactic’ and negative vibe of the message nor did I agree with the idea that sitting, in and of itself, is a problem.

Chairs have become the symbol of our modern sedentary age.

We now live in a world where chairs are everywhere and it’s almost impossible for us modern, 21st century humans to avoid them.

But the chair is not the problem!

The Pilates Chair, also known as the Wunda Chair, was originally designed by Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) as a home exercise equipment (doubles as a living-room chair for small New York apartments). A simple piece of equipment the Chair consists of a seat, a pedal and springs that attach to the pedal (to adjust the resistance).

We all know that spending too much time sitting in chairs is bad for us.

Our backs hurt, our shoulders and necks are crying, our hips are aching and getting up from that prolonged sitting can be an uncomfortable (or even a difficult) endeavour…

A Chair Class might sound strange. But, it's not the chair or even sitting that is actually harmful for us.

It is the “Staying in one position for a long period of time” that is unhealthy for us and wrecks our bodies.

Moving Against Springs Resistance Helps You Feel Each Movement.

The support and challenge of the springs also help you find length against tension, stretch through oppositions (two way stretching) and most importantly:

You Learn How To Move With Precision To Your Full Capability.

In order for you to move efficiently with ease & grace you need to find balance and control. Working against continuous resistance helps you find and develop the necessary skills for free functional movement and beyond.

Joseph Pilates invented and built an amazing array of spring resistance based apparatus to accompany his Method. Each apparatus was designed to help accelerate the process of restoring body functionality and movement.

The Pilates Reformer (originally called The Universal Reformer) can be considered as the centrepiece of Pilates’ brilliant equipment inventions.

The Reformer is probably the most known Pilates apparatus nowadays and it was the most used in Joe’s studio as he endeavoured to reform mankind.

During the mid-term break in the studio we ran a survey to learn about how we’re doing in our new premises.   I believe it’s important to know how we can improve and get some authentic feedback about our classes, new facility and instructors.

What I really love about running a survey is that it can bring up some Pilates topics that clients think about, perhaps struggle with, and I get a chance to address them.
In this last survey a comment was made which warrants an explanation that I believe everyone can benefit from – anyone doing Pilates (not just in our studio), anyone thinking about doing Pilates and anyone who’s heard about this thing we all do all the time - - -

Music always was, and still is, a great love of mine.
As a dancer I always moved with music and musicality is what made the difference between just being a technique mover to someone that dances - you cannot be a good dancer if you cannot feel the music with your body. Allowing the movement-musical-phrasing fill your soul makes your heart soar.

Did you hear about Club Pilates???

If you did not: Club Pilates is the largest network of franchised Pilates studios in the world. Club Pilates has over 350 locations in the US. Club Pilates is expanding rapidly and is the hot new thing in the Pilates world nowadays. Now you know.

It’s been a long while (too long!) since I’ve been to the States.

I have never set foot in any Club Pilates studio and cannot tell you a thing about their classes or their instructors (they have their own Teacher Training).
What I do know is that there’s a world of difference between Club Pilates and my own local Pilates studio in Kildare town.

What do I need to bring with me to the Studio?

Whether you’re coming for your first Assessment appointment, a Group class or Private session all you need to bring is clean socks (essential for hygiene) and we highly recommend having non-slip grip socks ('Shashi Performance' grip socks are available for purchase in the studio) – LEAVE THE REST UP TO US.

Everything you need for your class is in the studio including our water station so you can hydrate before and after your class.

Gone are the days of Yoga/Fitness mats for Pilates Mat classes in our studio!

I am absolutely over the moon to have Gratz™ Pilates Mats, now available for ALL OUR MAT COURSES.

These beautiful Pilates Mats had arrived, all the way from Philadelphia, into our studio late summer '16 and after running a very successful pilot program with raving reviews and feedbacks I’m delighted to bring to everyone that new level of quality to enhance our Pilates practice.