Take a look through our blog to find out more about Birmingham Pilates Studios!
The Corona Virus doesn't mean that you Pilates practice has to end! We're now using Skype or Zoom to stream your lessons directly into your home. Read more to find out all about it!...
Pilates Assessment Lessons: All your questions answered!...
The wall is your mat in this video tutorial that shows us how to prepare for Planks and the Push Up: the final challenge in the traditional mat series......
This is not a Pilates exercise video tutorial, but it's great for tightening up loose shoulders and correcting shoulders that hunch forwards. ...
A perfect exercise for people who live a sedentary life! This is one of the remedies (Pilates has many more!) for a stooped posture and hunched shoulders!...
This video tutorial shows Angels in the Snow. The coordination can be tricky, but stick with it as it is a wonderful way to get the shoulders more mobile....
Video tutorial shows an exercise very similar to Telescope Arms (here), but the shoulder blade rotates instead of protracting and retracting....
This video tutorial will improve the mobility of your shoulder blades and help coordinate the movements of the spine, shoulder, arm and head....
This video tutorial demonstrates an upper back strengthening and a mobilisation exercise it also helps us on the way to a plank position - important for many other Pilates exercises....
This video tutorial teaches Hip & Shoulder Circles. It's a lovely exercise to perform! The gyroscopic sensation is almost addictive!...
This exercise video shows an exercise that teaches us how we can stabilise our pelvis and torso during functinal movemens such as running and walking....
A video tutorial teaching Dead Bug: a safe exercise that teaches us stability of both the shoulders and pelvis. It also helps to improve coordination of limbs....
This will help to mobilise the hip joint as well as the ability of the spine to bend sideways. It also helps us with more challenging exercises....
"Swimming" exercise in Pilates strengthens your back muscles (extensor spinae), bum (glutes) and back of your legs (hamstrings). It also helps us to learn stabile alignment: keep the movement going though keeping your shoulders and pelvis quiet....
Helps practice balance and coordination and noticing oblique connections within the body in both the front and the back....
This video tutorial illustrates how muscles and fascia create long trains that run throughout the body in interconnected "trains"....
Correct postural imbalances caused by our modern lifestyles: from gyms to screens. It goes a long way to counteracting our forward slumped posture that is so common these days....
Learn your side lying position because you'll need to be comfortable with it for later exercises! You'll develop spinal strength and mobility with these bananas!...
This exercise can help you connect to your spinals and oblique abdominal muscles. The objective here is to increase spinal mobility, control and strength....
I love how this exercise proves that Pre-Pilates can be really difficult! This will challenge everyone from the seasoned expert to the absolute beginner... ...
There is a whole lot going on in this exercise, but for now, let's just think of this exercise as an exercise that promotes spinal flexibility and mobility....
This is a great stepping stone from "Pelvic Pushes" to maintain the start position for other more demanding exercises such as the Side Kick and Side Bicycle!...
This is a breathing exercise that increases breath capacity, lung volume and control. So, let's stand, take our space for Ron's Clock!...
Use this exercise to find front and back alignment for side-lying exercises and learn to use the butt and shoulders to achieve stability....
The Pelvic Circle is a wonderful Pre-Pilates exercise focussing on finding your natural spinal position and releasing tension so improving spinal mobility....
This exercise is great for learning to rotate (and so increase mobility) the lower back while maintaining the legs and trunk in alignment....
Hip Circles requires flexibility of the spineand great control and precision. If you have difficulty initially, cut yourself some slack and be patient! ...
A good way of learning to connect to the spine as part of the core to maintain our natural alignment as we squat down. It could help your back ache!...
Getting movement in the spine: stretching and strengthening both abdominals and spinals and practice combining breath with movement....
This exercise can help you practice other Foundations and to connect to your abdominal muscles. It gets you stronger before more challenging exercises!...
This exercise can help you practice other Foundations and to connect to your abdominal muscles. It gets you stronger before more challenging exercises!...
Understanding the natural shape of our spine can help us with our Pilates practice, but it is not always the best position for everyone in every exercise. ...
For many people with tight hamstrings, this stretch can help. Take time to stretch our properly, repeat it often and be consistent....
For many people with tight hamstrings, this stretch can help. Take time to stretch our properly, repeat it often and be consistent....
Learn to keep your pelvis stable whilst your legs move. You'll also be practising the control and precision needed for more challenging exercises!...
This exercise can helps you find the optimal starting position for exercises that we do on our sides. It teaches stability from the shoulders and gluteal muscles....
This exercise can helps you find the optimal starting position for exercises on all fours. It allows you to focus on breathing and moving simultaneously....
Explore the range of motion of the lower spine and pelvis to find your neutral position. This is your best starting position for many exercises....
Poor posture means we aren't aligned. Being aligned means we suffer less pain and injury of the lower back. It's a dynamic concept: the "neutral position"....
This exercise can help you practice other Foundations and to connect to your abdominal muscles. It gets you stronger before more challenging exercises!...
Learn how to identify and activate the muscles in your lower back. A very simple exercise that almost anyone can do. It could help your back ache!...
Learning to connect to your abdominal muscles is a vital Foundation of Pilates. It' will help you get the most out of all your other Pilates practice right up to the most difficult exercises....
This exercise can help you to connect to your abdominal muscles. It's a safe exercise to get stronger before starting more challenging exercises!...
Learn how to identify and activate the muscles in your lower back. A very simple exercise that almost anyone can do. It could help your back ache!...
Learn two different breathing techniques and how they help you get the best out of your Pilates practice. Find a very easy workout to get you started....
Learn two different breathing techniques and how they help you get the best out of your Pilates practice. Find a very easy workout to get you started....
Learn two different breathing techniques and how they help you get the best out of your Pilates practice. Find a very easy workout to get you started....
Learn two different breathing techniques and how they help you get the best out of your Pilates practice. Find a very easy workout to get you started....
Learn two different breathing techniques and how they help you get the best out of your Pilates practice. Find a very easy workout to get you started....
Shoulder and spinal mobility and strength! Pulling Straps on the Reformer gets your shoulder blades moving and your upper back stronger....
Perfect for people who spend a lot of time sitting! Spinal extension (bending backwards) is the perfect way to help correct a slumped posture.....
Joseph Pilates on creating change: “Change happens through movement, and movement heals” -- Return to Life (1945)...
Develop shoulder and arm strength whilst stretching your lower back. Pilates: stretch, strength and control. What's not to love?...
Above all else, exercise should be fun! They should have a positive effect on the mind and the body, Ths rolling exercise provides all that in spades!...
Hip imbalances are often compounded by activities with highly repetitive motions such as running. These exercises help to address these problems....
Good performance requires strength and coordination of the shoulder blades, glutes, hamstrings and calf muscles; the quadriceps, abdominals and hip flexors....
Helps to create a stretch of the inner thighs – perfect for runners, cyclists and anyone that needs to have open hips: footballers, martial artists or people with hip replacements. Pilates really does have something for everyone!...
A very narrow base of support combined with a moving leg makes the muscles of the front, side and back all work in a coordinated fashion to stabilise the body. Use the body as a stable platform whilst the leg moves freely!...
Helps to create a stretch of the inner thighs – perfect for runners, cyclists and anyone that needs to have open hips: footballers, martial artists or people with hip replacements. Pilates really does have something for everyone!...
The Teaser: full body integration: abdominals, shoulders, spine, hip flexors and it's a great barometer for how our practice is coming along!...
Footwork on the Reformer helps us to learn to control hip, ankle and knee joints as well as stretching, strengthening and addressing asymmetries....
This exercise combines what we learned in Rolling Like a Ball and Spine Stretch Forward, but It's difficulty is increased ... ...
Perfect for all runners and cyclists! It strengthens your spine and balances out your hamstrings with your quads. Pilates has everything for everyone!...
The full Corkscrew exercise is a very challenging exercise that works absolutely everything. These are exercises that prepare us for that challenge!...
Practice rotation. Can you think of a sport without any degree of rotation? Can you think of any activity without rotation?...
The Roll Down promotes abdominal strengthening, spinal mobility (especially lower spine), and coordination of breath with movement. ...
Learn to practice that “sticky” part of Roll Ups and Roll Downs - where we can’t support ourselves and we tend to use momentum ......
The ability to perform a plank is a fundamental in Pilates. These exercises get you started. Shoulders, wrists, spine and abdominals all get worked!...
Many people know the simple Bridging / Pelvic Curl exercise. Here is a variation: keep your pelvis level as you lift and lower your legs....
An excellent exercise for people who spend a lot of time sitting! It helps with shoulder strengthening, and stretching out hip flexors!...
The Side Series has tremendous benefits! It strengthens & mobilizes shoulders, teaches pelvic stabilisation and stretches hip flexors and hamstrings....
Srengthen and stretch your upper, mid and lower back as well as the back of your legs. Pilates meets you where you're at, it takes you to where need to get to!...
Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch and the Single Straight Leg Stretch, if you can do them all - then why not do them as a sequence? The Three of Fire!...
Abdominal strength, spinal/pelvic stability & shoulder moblsation. Pilates has got you covered, whatever your body needs! ... what's not to love? ...
Can you manage ten basic abdominal curls whilst keeping your abdominal muscles pulled in? Then you’re ready for this challenge!...
Improve the mobility of your shoulder blades. Help coordinate spine, shoulder, arm and head movements. Reach into to those top kitchen cupboards again!...
As well as strengthening and stretching the lower legs and feet, it helps us to learn to stabilize our pelvis and spine - what's not to love?...
This is a great exercise for people suffering from backache as it helps to become more aware of, strengthen and stabilise the spine and pelvis....
Calling all desk workers! Open out your shoulders! Learn how to get started with the Pilates Rockets in this video blog post....
Calling all deskworkers! Reverse slumped shoulders and sunken chest! Learn how to get started with the Pilates Mini Swan in this video blog post. ...
Are you slumping forward? Fix your posture, strengthen your back and shoulders... learn how to get started with the Mini Swan in this video blog post....
Learn how to get started with the Pilates Side series here in this video blog post. Abdominal strength is much more than just crunches!...
Learn how to get started with the Rolling Like a Ball Pilates exercise in this video blog post. Especially useful if your spine is tight or overly flexible!...
Learn how to prepare for your single Leg Circles if you have tight hamstrings in this video blog post. Especially useful for runners and cyslists....
Learn how to get started with Pre-Pilates Abdominal Curls and Rotation in this video post....
Learn how to get started with The One Hundred in this video post. It's the first exercise in the Traditional Pilates Order....
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!...
#pilates4life2020 started as a "New Years' Resolution" initiative. The idea is to help people change lives through daily Pilates practice. Find out more!...
A Pilates workout on video that you can do in less than ten minutes!...
Fundraising and race report - how did I manage to run so well with so little training?...
The Standing Leg Pumps are perfect for runners and cyclists! It focuses on pelvic stability this is a great way to minimise injuries....
... and Pilates together! Pilates is the best recovery workout there is! Bar none....
Lateral flexion and rotation are important in everyday life and in athletic activities. Sadly, they are all but forgotten in many fitness programmes. ...
Consistent daily action over time gives consistent results. It's the key ingredient in doing better work, getting in shape and achieving success....
Consistency And Persistence Are Two Vital Ingredients To Success. They are ingredients in doing better work, getting in shape and achieving success....
This advanced level exercise is a part of the Traditional Matwork repertoire. It challenges the abdominals, hip flexors and shoulders....
If you want to improve your life then you need to change how you think and this is what drives change. But there's another way of thinking about this....
This is where we're headed for: stron, supple spines and solid shoulders to support our weight....