Pilates is a movement technique designed to re-balance the muscle structure throughout the body, whilst strengthening deep stabilising muscles.
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Welcome to SMP Pilates Studio
About Steve Pavis
After completing a Sports Science degree at DeMontfort University, Bedford, Steve moved to Exeter in 2002, working as a Personal Trainer. After discovering Pilates, and embarking on the Pilates Institute Diploma, Steve has been developing his Pilates reputation thoughout Devon, becoming one of the highest respected instructors around.
Steve also has a keen interest in Exercise Referral Schemes, and after becoming an Exercise Referral Co-ordinator with the Wright Foundation, he combines this with his Sport Science, Personal Training and Pilates experience to form a very rounded, safe and complete training environment.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a movement technique designed to re-balance the muscle structure throughout the body, whilst strengthening deep stabilising muscles. Due to the increasing stress placed on our bodies by our lifestyles, we are adopting more and more un-natural and lazy postural positions. Important muscles throughout our bodies therefore start to take on different roles to help cope with these stresses. Using very controlled movements, Pilates re-aligns these muscles, and trains them to work in their intended manner, often allowing other muscles that have been working in the wrong way to relax, relieving lots of built up tension.
There are two main ways in which Pilates movements work, either through strengthening or mobilising. Pilates does not stretch the muscles, like Yoga, but works through freeing up or mobilising joints and releasing tension from them - resulting in more moveable, stable joints with supple, supporting muscle structures. Yoga is a perfect companion to Pilates as it offers more of a muscle stretch, and if flexibility is your goal, then a combination of the two techniques can work fantastically.
Pilates has recently been marketed as a technique for managing back-pain, mainly due to its controlled nature, and the fact that it focuses on deep stabilising muscles, particularly around the lower spine. However, Pilates is not a cure, it can only help to control the pain, so if there are any serious issues with the back, or any other joint, then it is advised that you be assessed by a qualified Therapist.
Pilates can help with many other things as well. It is great for toning muscles, especially for flattening the tummy, as it focuses on a deep abdominal muscle not usually worked through sit-ups etc. It is very relaxing, as you will need to focus a lot on your own bodies and the various principles involved, there is no room to think about anything else! Improved posture is a guaranteed advantage, as the muscles will be gently trained to adopt correct postural positions in all aspects of everyday life, walking, sitting, lifting and carrying. Many aches and pains (due mainly to poor posture) can also be relieved, including neck stiffness, shoulder issues, back stiffness, hip problems and knee issues.
All in all, Pilates is a continuously challenging and enjoyable way to exercise, accessible to virtually any ability or age group, and through recent medical backing is considered one of the safest and effective forms of physical activity around.
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Pilates
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