What is Pilates?

Pilates targets the body’s deep postural muscles, building strength from the inside out. It helps to rebalance the body and to bring it into correct alignment.

Pilates helps to reshape your body, which should become longer, leaner and more toned. Pilates improves your posture and works to provide the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. Using both concentration and relaxation, it is a great way to relieve unwanted stress and tension in both the mind and the body. Body Control Pilates offers a comprehensive programme of exercises for both mat and machine work. They are adapted from the ‘classical’ exercises developed by Joseph Pilates.

The Body Control Pilates Method can work for everyone, regardless of fitness level. Exercises can be mat or machine-based, but matwork exercises have a great attraction, in that they need no special equipment, and are particularly safe for those with back problems – and don’t forget that 95% of the UK population has, or has had, backache.

Its consistent success rate in helping such problems has brought it to the attention of osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists, many of whom have either set up Pilates studios as part of their practices or established a close working partnership with their local Body Control Pilates teacher. Sophie works with patients of Reflex Spinal Health and Dynamic Family Chiropractic in Caversham.

Body Control Pilates is remarkably effective – and medically-approved. Central to the Method is ‘awareness of your own body’.