Step #1: First 1:1 Pilates Session
The First Session is all about finding out where you are right now and what goals you want to work towards.
Here you will find:
-- "What Happens"
-- "The Practical Details"
-- "Finding the Studio"
--"FAQs"'
Finding out where you are right now
Health Screening & Expectations:
We want you to be safe and if you have specific issues that need to be addressed. Examples might be: back pain, shoulder impingement, muscle imbalances, postural problems, heart or breathing problems.
The screening is online to save session time.
Feel free to give as much or as little info as you like.
What you want is unique!
Everyone walks through the door with something they want to fix. And everyone has different expectations and different goals.
Perhaps you want to just fix your spine of postural problems or fix muscle imbalances.
Maybe you want you body back after childbirth or childcare, or want that “typical Pilates” body.
Perhaps you want to improve your coordination and balance.
A properly designed Pilates programme will achieve all these! That is guaranteed.
And that’s one of the reasons we don’t do groups: you’re unique and one size doesn’t fit all.
Will we use the Reformer?
Whatever best addresses your needs 🙂
It might be Reformer and Mat, but also we’ll use Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Mini Barrel, Cadillac, High Pilates Mat (it’s got a strap and handles) as well as the smaller apparatus: Sandbag, Foot Corrector, Toe Gizmo, Neck Stretcher, Magic Circle…
These all offer more opportunities and possibilities to help you get to where you want to be :-).
It's totally practical!
As you’re exercising, we’ll use cues and metaphors to help you “get” the exercises and how they will benefit you.
The learning and understanding is a part of Pilates. That makes it empowering!
Home Practice
And you’ll get some exercises (with video support) that you can get started with at home.
This will totally turbocharge your progress.
Personal Programme emailed to you
After you leave, we’ll create a goal orientated Personal Pilates Programme just for you.
The Practical Stuff
Booking
Booking is online. It saves us playing phone tag and that circular conversation about each others’ availability.
Confirmation & Reminders
You’ll get a confirmation email immediately and reminders by text & email 48 hours before your appointment.
You can reschedule 24 hour before an appointment.
Before you come I’ll give you a quick call to answer any questions you might have & to check you know where to go, parking etc…
First Session: on the day...
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive. If you’re early, ask the receptionist to call and we’ll get you up to the studio early. We can either get started early, or you can sit on our sofa and watch someone else’s session for a while.
After your First Session ..
If you like what you’ve experienced, then the next step will be some One on One Starter Lessons. Click here for information.
Finding the Studio: map & photo guide
The Eastside of Birmingham is getting it’s much needed refurbishment! If you’re travelling by car, this map may help.
From Camp Hill Roundabout, follow the green line. You’ll need to pay slightly more attention when the line turns red 🙂
Grand Central and Moor Street train stations are just ten minutes’ walk away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most most people can start on Reformer. If the Basic Reformer exercises are unsuitable for you then we can start off addressing your specific needs on Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Barrels or small apparatus…
As soon as you start, you’ll realise that you are in control at all times.
That’s a part of what Pilates is all about: control.
In fact, that is what Joe Pilates called his exercise system: “Contrology”.
It’s very rare that people really progress in groups. Most people spend all their time doing the same things week after week…
There are One on One Private Lessons and “Self Access”. Get in touch for Self Access in groups.
Pilates is about learning and progressing and everyone does that at their own speed and everyone is at their own level. That’s why groups don’t work.
Instead, you’ll have a personal programme and my job is to make sure that you master those exercises and progress onto greater challenges.
Sorry, I’m afraid not.
Yes, there is a shower room on the First Floor with two separate, lockable cubicles.
Close fitting and stretchy are best so that I can see clearly how your body, your spine especially, is moving.
No, Pilates is done without shoes.
Some people prefer not to take off their socks. Be aware that some exercise require standing or pushing off a surface. So, the if you do really want to wear socks, make sure that they are specially made for Pilates (yes, they exist :-)) with sticky pads on the soles to improve grip.
As long as you are not absolutely stuffed – a light meal isn’t usually a problem – unless you suffer from gastric problems.
You can use the confirmation email to reschedule up to 24 hours before your lesson. After that, you’ll have to call me to ask me if I would reschedule for you. Repeated rescheduling can result in the cancellation of your booking.
And it’s not all about exercise he was promoting physical and spiritual (not religious) health.
The idea is to create change. And creating change takes effort. Think of taking and “internal shower” rather than total exhaustion – no-one can move properly if you continue to total exhaustion, but it is supposed to be work.
A little bit frequently goes much further than total exhaustion infrequently.
