About PilatesPilates was created and initially called 'Contrology' by Joseph Pilates who based his knowledge from fitness techniques taught to him at the end of the 19th Century.
Joseph Pilates believed that being physically fit was a prerequisite to being happy. He believed that physical fitness came through learning how to control the muscles in the body so the body would experience movement with ease. He was concerned that the sedentary life that people were leading (In the 1930's) was causing ill health and dis-ease. He was convinced that if people made his method a part of their everyday routine, then everyday tasks would become much easier and the body would become more able to cope with the pressures of modern living. Sound familiar? Joseph Pilates also created his method to be safe, to assist people out of dis-comfort into a more comfortable state. Creating exercises that helped rehabilitate people with injuries and even injured through war, Pilates focused on a few important steps that are integral in his method. These are Breath, Centering, Concentration, Control, Flow and Precision. Practicing Pilates with a teacher that has been taught using his method is important as the focus of each exercise requires the practitioner to use and focus on certain muscle groups. It is also important to recognise that with the Pilates method you are not expected to be anything else than what you already are. We all have our limitations and Pilates recognises that, learning how to move more efficiently and with ease is the aim of Pilates and the pathway to health. |
"I believe that good instruction needn't cost you a fortune" Why choose mat Pilates?
I teach mat Pilates for a couple of reasons. Not that I don't love the reformer, wunda chair cadillac and other equipment. Firstly I am trained in mat Pilates and have yet to train in teaching other equipment. Secondly these pieces of equipment are expensive and the cost of classes using these can be prohibitive. My goal is to deliver, if fun is not the word at least, enjoyable Pilates mat classes that are accessible to everyone. I believe that good instruction needn't cost you a fortune and to be able to benefit from the true strength of Pilates it is recommended to practice at least twice a week. Therefore, staying healthy and strong shouldn't break the bank or be something that you need to significantly budget for. 
|
About Nicole
I have been a student of Pilates since 2008, just after my second child was born. I have always been interested in being healthy and fit, but needed something a little kinder than what I was used to. My husband suggested I go to Pilates as a lot of the people he knew in the Surf Industry were doing it. It had also been suggested to be before by my sister who was in Sydney at the time. She said it was meant to be very good for people with scoliosis. I have a scoliotic spine that used to cause me a lot of discomfort and at time a lot of pain. I saw my chiropractor which helped, but nothing helped like a consistent practice of Pilates. After years of being a student of Pilates I decided to take the plunge and become a Pilates instructor. Why not do what I love and pass on the benefit I felt from such a great system of exercises? I enrolled at Essence of Living, Mermaid Beach and under the expert guidance of the team there and Especially Michelle Cassidy I completed my Pilates 1 teacher training course. I started teaching at the beginning of 2016, which was a great year. I have met so many people that have loved becoming party of this Pilates journey for me. And I have enjoyed every minute of bringing others to their own Pilates journey. |