Terms and conditions
Class cost
All classes cost £8 and are booked in block of usually 6 weeks but can be a few as 4 and up to 8 weeks. You can join on any week of the block. Classes must be booked and paid for in advance.
Trial classes
For new members you may book onto a trial class first just paying for 1 class, then if you would like to join you can pay for the remaining weeks of the block and we can confirm your place. Please note in busy classes spaces fill quickly and someone may take the last space in the class before you have attended your trial. I will always notify you if someone is wanting to pay for the block in full so you can have the choice to do so first. Priority is always given to block bookings.
Block bookings
As the block length can vary, I give two weeks’ notice for payment of the next block. Priority is always given to those already attending classes, but places are only confirmed once payment is made. Payment is made in advance and no refunds can be given for missed classes.
Missed classes
If you need to miss a class, I ask for 24 hours’ notice, if you have given me notice you will be able to make up the class by attending another class that I run, if there is no notice the class will be lost. If you book a makeup class and fail to attend it (without notice), then this will still count as I am unable to offer the place to someone else. You can make up missed classes while you are still a member paying for your classes. Once you give up your place in class you will not be able to make up any missed classes.
Pay as you go classes
I can sometimes offer pay as you go classes depending on the spaces available, but places cannot be guaranteed.
Health forms
Every new member will need to complete a health form, without this you will not be able to attend the class. These are only seen by Vicky and are confidential. It is your responsibility to keep Vicky updated with any medical conditions or changes with health, or next of kin contact details. This is important as some medical conditions will require modifications of exercises to keep you safe.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of low impact exercise which focuses on strengthening the body, paying particular attention to the core muscles. Concentrating on posture, balance, mobility, and flexibility you will work the entire body in every class. There is a much lower risk of injury during a Pilates class than with other forms of exercise making it a great class for beginners.
This form of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany where he was a carpenter and gymnast. He invented Pilates as an exercise program for injured dancers and soldiers while living in the UK. Joseph Pilates believed that physical and mental health were closely connected. In the 1920's he immigrated to the US and opened a Pilates studio in New York. Originally this form of exercise was called Contrology.
Pilates allows you to strengthen tiny muscles that you didn’t even know you had, it is these smaller muscles that support and provide stability for the bigger muscles. Think of a skeleton, the abdomen is a big open space, this is filled entirely with organs and muscles. These core muscles are responsible for keeping you moving in an efficient and safe way. All muscles work in pairs, and when one is not working correctly it’s partner will suffer, creating an imbalance and often pain. By using Pilates, we can target areas of weakness to help to address the imbalance.
Pilates is not just useful for people with injuries, it is a great way to remain strong, supple, and flexible and to develop strong lean muscles. It is also a great practice to maintain joint mobility which is something we tend to lose with age. By developing and maintaining mobility, flexibility, and strength you will feel amazing every day.
As Joseph Pilates said –
“In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference, and in 30 sessions you will have a new body.”
The Powerhouse
The term “Powerhouse” was created by Joseph Pilates who started the Pilates movement over 50 years ago. Your Powerhouse is the centre of the body which, when strengthened, creates the foundation for all movement (think – your core). Most people hear the word “core”, and they immediately associate their core only with abdominal muscles but really your core consists of many more muscles.
The Powerhouse muscles start at the bottom of your ribs down to the top of the hip and all the way to the bottom of your pelvis. The six main muscles that create the Powerhouse are the transverse abdominis, diaphragm, rotators, multifidus, quadratus lumborum and the pelvic floor.
There are a few different ways that we can activate our Powerhouse in preparation for movement. The first thing to think about is to lace the top of your ribs together and draw your navel towards your spine. Taking a deep lateral breathe will activate your diaphragm and activate your abdominals. Now, give yourself a good lift of your pelvic floor and viola, your powerhouse is engaged. People who are just starting with Pilates need to learn how to activate the Powerhouse and keep the whole body connected like a tight corset around their trunk. Having everything connected gives us the ability to move with strength, stability, and dynamic energy. Only when your Powerhouse if fully developed, can you advance into the harder levels of Pilates. It’s with a strong powerhouse where you can progress to a high and consistent fitness level.