CLINICAL PILATES
Clinical Pilates
Pilates was originally created by a man called Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1880. He was a sickly child but worked hard at overcoming his ailments by studying exercise such as Yoga, and by his teenage years he excelled at sports including gymnastics. He moved to England in 1912 and when World War 1 began he worked as an orderly in hospitals, helping bed-ridden patients recover and rehabilitate with his exercise regimes.
He moved to America with his wife and together they opened the first Pilates studio in New York. The wonder of Pilates gradually spread and today there are many practitioners around the world practicing and evolving Joe’s Pilates method, using it to benefit countless numbers of people. For many years, Physiotherapy treatments have focused on restoring abnormal movement caused by muscle imbalances and stiff joints and the use of Pilates has become an invaluable treatment tool to rehabilitate those with movement dysfunctions, and as a way of preventing the recurrence of pain and injuries.
Pilates is a form of exercise which encompasses both mind and body. The technique, which may be Mat or Equipment based, focuses on activation of the core region of the body, whilst a repertoire of strength, mobility and stretching exercises is performed. Resistance is applied to challenge core stability further by applying movements of the arms and legs or by using equipment. The aims of the method are to address abnormal movement patterns and retrain normal movement and function by strengthening, improving flexibility and alignment, and increasing postural awareness and control.
What makes Clinical Pilates different?
The Traditional Pilates method was initially developed for dancers and so many of the exercises require a high level of flexibility, body awareness and strength. However, we all know too well that this is not the case for many of us, particularly those who have undergone surgery, injury or those that have long standing problems such as lower back pain.
Clinical Pilates was developed in 1999 by the Physiotherapist founders of the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute [APPI] in order to allow for all types of patient populations to enjoy the benefits of the method. The Traditional Pilates exercises have been taken and adapted to better suit those with specific clinical problems. The added knowledge of the Physiotherapist instructors make it a safe way for you to confidently enjoy exercising whilst rehabilitating from your condition.
Clinical Pilates at Enliven Health
We offer Physio-led Reformer Pilates classes and one to one Mat or Reformer sessions from our studio in Milton Keynes.
A pre-assessment is sometimes required before you start our Pilates sessions, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions or if you have had surgical procedures. If you have experience in Mat Pilates and are injury/pain-free and do not wish to have a pre-assessment you do not need to have one.
You may wish to attend for one to one training or rehabilitation sessions. These sessions are useful as they are tailored to suit your individual requirements.
If you would like to attend a class please check the timetable and make your booking via our online booking system. All new clients must attend a Physio-led reformer induction or beginners reformer course prior to booking any classes.
At present, all Mat Pilates sessions must be taken as one to one Physio-led sessions and we are not currently offering group Mat Pilates classes.
