Looking for Pilates in Mornington that's right for you?
So, you've been umming and ahhing about starting some Pilates, you've heard somewhere that it's good for you (it is!) but have no idea of where or how to start looking for someone that's going to help you meet your goals?
There's a lot of Pilates classes, teachers and even types of Pilates practices out there, and that is true of our little corner of the world, Mount Martha, Mornington and the Mornington Peninsula!
Words like 'Fitness Pilates' 'Stott Pilates' 'Reformer Pilates' 'Chair Pilates', ‘Studio Pilates’ “Classical Pilates’ and 'Mat Pilates' are all common to hear; they are mostly all available on the Mornington Peninsula in some form or another and all will get you a similar end result if you practice them correctly and know exactly what you're doing as you move through the sessions.
So with all the different types of Pilates in Mornington (or anywhere for that matter) how do you know which is right for you?
Pilates, put simply, is all about working on your internal muscles, building the foundations of core strength, to ensure they are able to support the more superficial muscles as they perform daily tasks. This has a knock-on effect of improving posture, managing pain, increasing mobility and flexibility and even helps us with rehabilitation from injury or illness.
Getting the basics right is fundamental, in the words of the man behind Contrology - which has now morphed into modern-day Pilates:
“Concentrate on the correct movement each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and lose all vital benefits”
Pilates should first focus on getting alignment, breathing and core all working together and applying this combination (your Pilates Powerhouse) to any movements you make. If you're going to classes or following practices not focussing on this, then you know one of two things: 1. it's not really Pilates, or 2. its a class that assumes you already know these basics, and if you're a novice, then it's not the place for you!
Mat Pilates in Mount Martha and MorningtoN
Private Mat based Pilates 1:1 sessions such as the ones I provide with JEN Pilates, Mornington, ensure you are making each move safely, confidently and with the six key 'Pilates Principles' in mind: Precision, flow, control, centring, concentration, breath. These are principles you can take through daily life, to apply Pilates to everything you do. So, if you're a complete Pilates beginner and want to ensure you're doing it correctly, this is a great option.
Mat Pilates uses minimal props (though we do use some to change it up a bit occasionally) and is a great basis for any other Pilates practice or other exercises you want to take part in alongside. Even if you've been practicing Pilates for a while, Mat Pilates is a great choice due to the ability to advance and tailor the movements to suit your specific needs.
Chair-based Pilates in Mornington
Chair-based Pilates uses much of the same principles and exercises that Mat Pilates uses, but we adapt exercises and positions to allow for sitting on a chair. It's a strong workout and a great option for those who aren't as mobile/ stable getting up and down to a mat. Private chair-based Pilates sessions are a great option for those who don't want to join a large class or aren't able to get to a class in Mornington.
Reformer Pilates in Mornington
Reformer Pilates uses the same principles that we use in Mat Pilates, but a Pilates reformer 'apparatus' is used to assist/ develop some of the movements. The good news is that you don't need the apparatus to get the benefits of Pilates, but if you do have a reformer at home, then this can be utilised in a Private Pilates session led by Joanna’s Pilates Mornington.
Fitness Pilates in Mornington
Fitness Pilates uses some of the same exercise basics and speeds them up and puts them to music. If your core and framework aren’t strong when you perform Fitness Pilates, the speed means you're less likely to make corrections and improve any issues you may have. If you're keen to do Fitness Pilates, then my recommendation would be to take some Pilates private sessions or classes first, and then apply these learnings to your Fitness Pilates classes.
What to do next
To find out more about private Pilates sessions, whether one-off, or long term, get in touch!
