What is pilates?

Targeting the deep postural muscles, Pilates works by building strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment.

It helps to reshape your body, which will become longer, leaner and more toned. It will also improve your posture, achieving the perfect balance between strength and flexibility, and it is a great way to relieve unwanted stress and tension. It's slow, controlled approach means that it gives much longer-term results - and it is especially recommended by medical specialists for those with back problems, as Pilates will reduce back pain and prevent it reoccurring.

Joseph Pilates

The Pilates method was developed by the late Joseph Pilates, born in 1880 in Germany. He was a keen sportsman who developed talents in sports as varied as diving, gymnastics and boxing.

He studied many different disciplines and, drawing from each of them, formulated a system that worked for his own body - this became known as the Pilates method. After moving to New York in the 1920's his studio soon attracted the city's elite with actors, dancers and athletes finding that his exercises perfected and complemented their traditional programme and catered for their individual needs - building strength without adding bulk, balancing that strength with flexibility and achieving the perfect harmony between mind and body.