Pilates: balance and strength

What is the course about?

The course is about discovering how to use the principles of Pilates to develop good posture and proprioception, muscle strength and balance. An added benefit is that strengthening certain muscle groups can also aid bone health.
During the course there will be a mixture of standing and mat based (floor) work.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

Posture, alignment and joint mobility.
Using Pilates to help maintain and improve balance and strength.
Exercising safely, at a level appropriate for you with options to make the exercises covered more challenging as you grow stronger.
Simple balance enhancing exercises to practise at home.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Describe how to achieve better standing posture.
Know how to practise some simple exercises at home designed to aid balance.
With guidance, feel confident practising a variety of balance challenging exercises at a level appropriate to you.
With guidance, apply the principles of Pilates to a variety of muscle strengthening exercises.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is a mixed levels course suitable for those who wish to work on posture, good movement, muscle strength (including developing a strong core) and balance.
Please bear in mind that this is an online course and you will need a suitably uncluttered, non-slip exercise space at home in which to place your Pilates mat.
If you have suffered from any of the conditions listed below, please check with a medical practitioner whether it is suitable for you to undertake an exercise programme and bring a referral letter from your doctor to your tutor. If you have not checked, or if it is not suitable, please do not participate in an exercise or movement class.
- Do you ever have pains in your chest?
- Have you had any operations or injuries in the last year?
- Do you often feel faint or have spells of dizziness?
- Are you receiving medication for any condition?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Is there anything else we should know about your health?
- Do you have a bone or joint problem, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, back or knee problems?

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This is an online, practical course. There will be demonstrations and explanations by the tutor. As for face to face teaching, there will be opportunities to ask questions during class. Please note that It helps the tutor to give more precise individual feedback if your webcam/camera gives a clear picture of the whole of your body as you participate.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Wear clothing you can move comfortably in such as leggings and a T-shirt. A Pilates or yoga mat. Additional padding for under your knees or wrists might be helpful at times. The tutor will give advice about small equipment that you might like to buy as the course progresses. (If you are on a tight budget sometimes household items can be substituted). Having an exercise space that allows access to a solid support such as a wall or a chair may be helpful for reassurance when we are doing standing exercises.
Please avoid eating one and a half hours prior to exercising.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Continue to develop your balance and strength by attending the course next term.
Other Pilates courses, or other courses in Health and Wellbeing.