Blog

Take a look through our blog to find out more about Birmingham Pilates Studios!

I think that the debate (a Yoga teacher even described it as a schism) about Pilates vs Yoga is tired, worn out and misleading! Find out how you can have your cake and eat it!...

08 January, 2020 /

Consistent daily action over time gives consistent results.  It's the key ingredient in doing better work, getting in shape and achieving success....

27 August, 2019 /

Deep Core Activation Deep Core Activation is the foundation of all Pilates exercises.  It is the key to all effective, elegant and balanced movement. Deep Core Activation is realised by: Multifidi Transversus abdominis Diaphragm Pelvic Floor   Without the stabilization provided by the deep core......

10 January, 2019 /

Breathing in Pilates Breathing is the basis of our existence.  It’s the first thing we do in life and from that moment, it creates the rhythm of life. Breathing techniques can be used to reduce stress, lower or raise blood pressure, improve aerobic capacity and......

02 January, 2019 /

How to make Pilates cheaper   In the post “Why is Pilates so Expensive?” I looked at reasons why Pilates is much more expensive than other forms of exercise methods.  But it is possible to make your Pilates practice more economical that it appears at......

19 December, 2018 /

Why is Pilates so Expensive?   The Short version You get what you pay for.  Pilates is expensive because: Not all Pilates is created equal Comprehensive Training (rather than just mat) and Certification is long and it’s detailed (500 hours min) ; Buying the equipment and......

17 December, 2018 /

Rowing 1 aka (“Into the Sternum” or “Rowing Back – Round Back”) Like Footwork in last week’s video post, into the Sternum is not one exercise, but a whole series of (in the Classical Pilates repertoire at least) exercises: Rowing 1: Into the Sternum Rowing 2: 90°......

17 September, 2018 /

Pilates Footwork It’s very tempting, and not surprising, to think of Footwork in Pilates as a basic leg strengthening exercise.  Well, on the face of things, it is: on the Reformer the Footwork resembles a squat done lying down.  However, the range of possibilities that are......

10 September, 2018 /

Osteoporosis and Pilates Osteoporosis and it’s precursor, osteopenia are common in both men and, more often, women during and after middle age.  Causing weakened bones due to lower bone mass it has many causes including both diet and inactivity.  Increasing levels of activity can arrest......

22 June, 2018 /

Pilates & Your Pregnancy Being active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and this is equally true during pregnancy and after delivery. Arguably, it is more important to exercise during pregnancy than at other times. However, the physical changes that accompany pregnancy will......

04 June, 2018 /

The Summary: you should do Pilates often Joseph Pilates is quoted as saying: “In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body”. What you don’t often read is: “or your......

07 December, 2017 /

New Year Resolutions: a recipe for success In the first part (click here) of this post, we looked at how, despite our best intentions, most New Year Resolutions are destined to fail: romantic ideas about change, busy lives, lack of planning and procrastination all conspire......

04 December, 2017 /

New Year Resolutions: destined to fail? After living so long away from Europe I had forgotten how much of a cultural icon Christmas and New Year is.  Although the Festive Season means different things to different people, there is one thing that is common to......

02 December, 2017 /

The Problems of Ageing Pilates is a perfect exercise method for the older person. Ageing can be made difficult by several musculoskeletal changes which affect our posture and the activities we can carry out. However, a properly designed course in Pilates can mitigate and even......

01 November, 2017 /

Why do we get backache? To give a quick, one word answer the most important cause of non-specific lower backache (or back pain) is sitting. Of course, there are other causes: a slipped (prolapsed) disc sciatica ankylosing spondylitis (swelling of the joints in the spine)......

30 October, 2017 /