If it is ok with you all (please do let me know if not)? For the next two Thursday's (8th and 15th December), I would like to run just 1 class from 7:30-8:30pm and in return, on the last Thursday (15th), I will be bringing mulled wine and mince pies for after the class if you are able to stay after for a bit?
Monday Class... Please feel free to stop by at 8:30pm and join us if you are nearby?
Had a little helper in her onesie this evening to bring a little festivity to the Pilates class😊💕
Although I spend most days teaching Pilates, it can sometimes be difficult to fit in an affective session for myself. During a class or 1-1, I tend to demonstrate 1 or 2 repetitions of an exercise and then jump up and find a client to prod into the correct alignment. Although I try to squeeze in a mini workout most mornings they often get interrupted by daughters and labradors.
Being my own boss is wonderful but I miss having direction to be sure that my teaching is affective or that I haven't forgotten an important fact?
Last weekend I headed over to Tranquility Pilates Centre in Blackfriars (https://www.tran-quility.co.uk) and took part in a Pilates Method Alliance Workshop with the truly inspiring Nikki Chrysostomou. It was so good to get back on the apparatus and to have some expert tuition. I picked up a few new ideas but best of all, I have come away feeling confident that my teaching is on the right track and that I will be ready to take an exam to allow me to become one of the few British teachers affiliated with the PMA early next year. Exciting stuff!
To prepare for the exam, of course I will need to brush up on my anatomy and physiology again but more importantly I need to revisit the Pilates apparatus (reformer, trapeze table wander chair) after a 2 year break, so I can know all the exercises and equipment set up off by heart.
Reformers take the Pilates method to a whole new level! I feel like I am walking on air after a session on the reformer, I feel lengthened, strengthened, energised and toned! The way your body is supported as you move allows the exercise to be suitable for almost anyone.
I've been visiting a few local studios to see if I can practice on their equipment and whilst doing so have managed to secure a new job teaching 2 reformer classes a week starting in the new year. 😁 I can't wait!! I will have more news of this over the next couple of weeks.
The Tranquility Pilates Centre fully stocked with Pilates apparatus including The Universal Reformer and studying with Nikki.
The new Tuesday morning class is going very well, what a nice group you are! I have had a request to run this class for an extra week so that you don't get to out of practice over the Christmas break. I have decided this is a nice idea so there will be an extra Charity Christmas class on the 20th December. This will be a pay as you go class with all proceeds going to charity (not sure which one yet, suggestions most welcome). There will be coffee and mince pies after😋. If you would like to book please let me know.
With all of the classes over the last year, especially over the last few months, I have been using several of the original classical Pilates exercises to focus on improving spinal mobility.
To be able to mobilise your spine, you need strong core abdominals that coordinate efficiently. This takes a great deal of practice but the postural results are extremely worth it! I hope you have been able to see and feel the improvement in your bodies?
It has been so rewarding to see a number of you suddenly able to perform 'The Roll Up' for the first time. This is an advanced exercise and its amazing to see so many of you achieve this! Congratulations!
Please check out my Facebook page by clicking on the link below to see video above...
https://www.facebook.com/angelaroutledgepilates/?fref=ts
Emails will be going out shortly regarding January 2017 Pilates Classes so please check you inboxes or let me know if you would like to be added to my mailing list.
Thats all for now folks!
Enjoy the festivities and see you on a Mat Soon!
Angela 😀
As I had been spending many extra hours and lots of late nights preparing the new website over the last month or so, I had found myself sliding into some rather bad health habits. One bad habit seemed to very quickly multiply.... Lack of sleep = lack of energy = less exercise taken = more junk food eaten = less water intake = more coffee, wine etc😝. Before I knew it I was feeling pretty rubbish, body and mind!
I don’t know about you but this kind of behaviour creeps up on me every now and then and quite often around this time of year.
Luckily I have a little formula that I find helps me get back on track.
I Have a pint of hot water and fresh lemon and/or ginger first thing in the morning!
Morning Pilates!
Even just 10 mins spent connecting mind to body, calms me and helps me make better choices throughout the day. Always joined by Bob the dog of course! Best way to start the day!!
Joseph Pilates, himself, in his book 'Return to Life Through Contrology"said 'These exercises build a sturdy body and a sound mind fitted to perform every daily task with ease and perfection as well as to provide tremendous reserve energy for sports, recreation an emergencies.'
Keep hydrated! Simple but very easy to forget! (my friend Melanie of Soulistic Therapy wrote an excellent blog on this recently, http://soulistictherapy.co.uk/blog/water/) worth a read.
That is the extent of my health kick for now! I find it much easier to stick to if I make only small changes at a time.
I have managed to start 4 out of 7 mornings like that this week and I already feel a lot better! I am more energised and feel able to cope with the day ahead and without even having to think about it, I have eaten and slept better too.
Perhaps next week I might be ready to make another small change or maybe I might just have to repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 yet again!😉
Well its been an exciting week!!
New Website!!
Firstly, I have finally launched this brand new website which I'm so pleased with but has taken hours and hours and hours and more hours! but it is finally ready and Ta Da! here it is!! I have to say a big, huge, thank you to Katherine Heath for her help and expertise setting it up, designing the logo and advising me on all things 'tech'.
I must also thank Gill Ellard, Jaime Rose and Karen Lilley for their help preventing a number of faux pas, thank goodness! Otherwise you may be lead to believe that Pilates is "Distressing" rather than "de-stressing"😂. Thanks ladies, what would I do without you!?😘
New Class
The new block of classes is now in full swing including the new, quite popular, Tuesday morning class at The Royal British Legion 9:30am.
I'm very happy with the venue. It is a perfect size, its bright, clean, warm, has perfect flooring and a good sound system. I couldn't help but have a mini workout just before you all arrived. 😀👇🏻
Function room, upstairs at The Royal British Legion, Petts Wood.
Plenty of room for Pilates!!😊
Class Plans
During the first week of classes this block, I have just focused on waking up our bodies after the short break. A bit of basic mat work, some gorgeous stretches, foot work, thoracic rotation and a tiny bit of upper body strengthening.
Next week I will be incorporating some oblique work to trim the waist and further strengthen the core.
Please do let me know if there is anything you would like me to work on over the coming weeks, I've already had a couple of requests for the "circle" would you believe?
See you on the mats soon!
Angela
