What do I wear?

Comfortable, form fitting exercise clothes are best. Dress comfortably so that your movement is free, but try not to wear clothing that is too loose fitting as you will be performing exercises that could cause a loose shirt to drift up the torso or loose shorts to fall open at the hip. Over sized clothes make it difficult for the instructor to observe your body during the workout. No shoes, socks are optional.

How often do you recommend a Pilates workout?

With any form of exercise, consistency is key. In the beginning, your body is learning a lot of new information and your mind/body connection is being established. The optimal recommendation is 2-3 times per week, however, once a week on a very regular basis can also be beneficial, providing you are doing some other exercise during the week.

Will I lose weight from doing Pilates?

Pilates is designed to help you reshape your body and mind. Using different types of apparatus as well as the weight of your own body, the system helps to tone your muscles and elongate areas such as the waistline and upper thighs and arms. Adding Pilates to a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise can dramatically change your overall appearance.

How is Pilates different from yoga?

Joseph Pilates was inspired both by eastern and western forms of exercise and wellness principles while developing his method, so there are many similarities. The breathing is different; in Pilates, you are asked to scoop your stomach in rather than allowing it to expand with breath as done in yoga. Pilates is more dynamic, focusing on movement rather than the holding of postures as yoga dictates.

Can I learn Pilates from a video?

While you can learn choreography of the exercises from a video, it can be quite frustrating to learn something entirely new from a video. A certified instructor is there to carefully guide you through the parts of each exercise, focusing on form and correct breathing. If you have been studying Pilates with an instructor and have a solid understanding of the principles and exercises, videos are an excellent way to incorporate new exercises and ideas into your current workout.

Will I be sore from my session?

That depends on your body awareness and fitness levels. Pilates does not fatigue the muscles to exhaustion, rather it uses movement patterns, mental focus and muscle memory to build strength and awareness into the body. Pilates leaves you energized and while you may experience some soreness as your body experiences changes, you will not experience debilitating soreness.

What results can I expect from doing Pilates?

You can expect an increase in flexibility, mobility, balance, improved posture and overall strength, as well as a decrease in back pain/other general body pains. Many participants report a reshaping of the body, elongation of the waistline and upper thigh regions.