Pilates technique

My First book on Pilates will be out soon!

My First book on Pilates will be out soon!

I have exciting news for you. My first book on Pilates will be published this spring!

Last year I was asked by a publisher to write an easy to follow guidebook on Mat Pilates and I am thrilled to announce that it's now available for Pre-Order on Amazon UK and Amazon.com

I spent all last summer writing it and many a late night post YouTube broadcasts working on it to make it as easy to follow as possible. If you can I would love it if you could pre-order a copy on Amazon; pre-orders help push the promotion of books and I need the help to get it out there to everyone who needs it. It's very reasonably priced and a great little guide you can dip in and out of whenever you need to refer to an exercise or want to build your own little programme for home practice. It has all 34 of Joseph Pilates original exercises in with tips and cues to make the difficult exercises more accessible and the easier exercises more challenging- not that mat pilates isn’t challenging enough anyway 😊

What is cross pattern movement and why you need it for brain health

What is cross pattern movement and why you need it for brain health

The term cross pattern also known as cross crawling involves using the opposite arm and leg at the same time. This cross lateral action integrates both sides of the brain for optimum learning and brain communication so it’s not just your body that benefits but your brain too. Essential to do as you enter midlife if not before as our brains and bodies need challenging to both maintain, and improve our health and wellbeing.

Back to Basics

Back to Basics

Never underestimated the benefits of going back to basics. The most inspiring pilates teachers I’ve met since I started pilates twenty years ago as an ex-dancer were those that not only inspired and motivated me, but also had a great empathy and humility for their work. It’s easy to forget nowadays when everything is instantly available at the press of a button that exercise and experience only improve over time, you can’t rush either.

The Ten Principles of Pilates

I've been practicing Pilates now for over 18 years and I cannot tell you how much my wellbeing, fitness and flexibility has improved from daily practice. I am fitter, stronger and less prone to injury than I was when I was a professional dancer and not only that I have more core strength now than I ever did when I was dancing professionally. Much has changed in the world of dance and sport in that time, so much so that it is now recognised that Pilates is an essential part of any dancer or athlete's cross training routine. But even if you practice Pilates regularly, are you aware of the original principles of this form of movement?

When Joseph Pilates developed his exercise regime in the early part of the twentieth century, it evolved over time as many forms of movement do, but he had a set of principles that he applied to all his work which are still taught today and I think it’s very useful to know what these are, and try and apply them to your own individual practice.

Awareness

Be aware of your body - joints and muscles.

Balance

Work all your muscles in balance.

Breath

Breathe well to aid your exercise as well as relieve stress.

Concentration

Concentrate on what you’re doing, be in the moment.

Control

Control your movements in in a relaxed way to reduce tension.

Centre

Focus on your centre (core) at all times, thereby stabilising your body.

Efficiency

Be efficient in the ease & economy of your movement.

Flow

Flow by activating the muscles at just the right time.

Harmony

Be in harmony with yourself, others and the environment.

Precision

Be precise & pay attention to the details of the exercise, enjoy the detail.

Written material and photograph copyright of Rachel Lawrence.

All Rights reserved

To Read more about the surprising benefits of Pilates, click the link below:

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