I teach Hatha yoga, which includes moving the body into different yoga postures (seated, standing and lying) to help improve the bodies strength, flexibility and balance, along with simple breathing exercises and relaxation to help calm the mind. I aim to make yoga relaxed, enjoyable and accessible to everyone, adapting the yoga practice to the individual’s needs and ability.

All the equipment, including mats, you need for class is provided. If you prefer to bring your own yoga mat that’s fine too. If you want to also practice at home then having your own mat is a great idea. They are available from lots of places.

Yes, not only is Pilates safe for most people to do, it is often recommended or used by physiotherapists and other physical therapists for treatment and rehabilitation.

The primary ideals of Pilates are improving posture, correcting imbalances and enhancing functional movement. A lot of attention is also given to the spine and the core, making Pilates an effective tool against back pain.

If you have an on-going or specific problem, it is recommended to see your treating physician before beginning Pilates, and to start with at least 3 private sessions with a qualified instructor, before doing group classes.

Even if you don’t have a back problem or injury, Pilates promotes a healthy body and a healthy mind. It’s a fantastic form of everyday fitness and is an amazing tool for building the mind-body connection.

Any comfortable, loose clothing, such as a T-shirt with leggings or tracksuit bottoms, or else shorts. Anything you feel comfortable in.

Far from it. Pilates, after all, was invented by a man, Joseph Pilates, originally for his own benefit – and was only later adapted for women.

Men, what’s more, tend to be less flexible than women, and so to need Pilates even more.

In fact, almost a third of our clients are male, as are countless celebrity devotees of Pilates, from Hugh Grant to Martin Amis, John Cleese, Ian McKellen, David Beckham and an ever-growing number of famous footballers, rugby players, cricketers and other professional athletes.

Pilates is still popular with dancers, gymnasts, athletes and others in their physical prime but it is equally suitable for almost any age.

Indeed, one of the beauties of Pilates is that we tailor it to suit each person, whatever their age or physical condition.

Many of our clients are middle-aged or elderly. Indeed, more than a few start doing Pilates specifically because they have reached ‘a certain age’, realised that they no longer take any exercise and suddenly thought, ‘My goodness, I have to start to do something, or else I’ll fall apart’.

Older clients still might have to ask medical advice before taking up Pilates and to start more slowly. Many people, however, do Pilates into their eighties and nineties. A properly tailored Pilates programme is one of the best-known ways to ward off the infirmities of old age. Joan Bakewell, the writer and broadcaster, swears by Pilates for this reason, among others.

Your true age, in the end, of course, is as much a function of how feel as of the date on your birth certificate. As Joseph Pilates himself put it: ‘If, at the age of 30, you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If, at 60, you are supple and strong, then you are young’.

People do Pilates anywhere from once a week to once a day – but twice a week is common and what we suggest for most clients.

Even if you just take just one session a week, you should try to do at least a few minutes of Pilates – whether at home or work – on a daily basis.

The difference between Pilates and Yoga, reckons one Californian fitness instructor, is as follows: ‘One is eyes closed and think of God; and one is eyes open, think of your butt’.

Yes, there are similarities between Pilates and Yoga, partly because Joseph Pilates consciously drew on both Eastern and Western traditions when first developing his method.

However, there are also key differences. Pilates, for example, is more dynamic than Yoga, which places more emphasis on the static holding of certain poses.

Pilates also focuses more on strengthening the deepest layers of abdominal muscles, which form a corset around your torso.

If you have the time, there is no reason why you should not do both and get different benefits from each.

Massages

Massages are widely used as a form of therapeutic treatment to facilitate the recovery of muscle soreness following exercise.

Cold Water Immersion

At home. This can be achieved by having a cold bath after a workout. It’s a bit like marmite this technique, some people love it or hate it, but it might really help reduce muscle soreness!

Compression Treatment

Compression is often advised and used in clinic to reduce muscle pain, inflammatory responses and swelling as a result of injury. There is evidence to suggest such treatments are effective in relieving sore muscles after a workout but further research is required to reach a convincing conclusion.

Diet

Diet also plays a really important role in reducing or stopping muscle pain following a workout. You should ensure your day-to-day diet includes plenty of quality proteins, wholegrains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats to support the muscle adaption process.

Ideally, please arrive a few minutes before the class starts. But things happen, and sometimes people are late, I totally understand. If you can let me know beforehand great, if not please still come to class. Just quietly enter the class so as not to disturb others. If you’re coming to a baby class, anytime you arrive is fine (even just for relaxation at the end!)

If you can’t make a whole block of classes, or want to join mid way through a block, please contact me and we can arrange something I am sure.