This is the 5th blog in the Clinical Pilates 4-week challenge.
19/8/15, by Jess Davies
When Jeremy suggested we have an ‘easy and relaxing’ Clinical Pilates session, my body was very pleased. However, I gathered from the cheeky smirk on his face that Jeremy wasn’t going to let me lie around for an hour!
There were two of us in this Wednesday afternoon group session and Jeremy got us both working on our own personal exercises right away. My poor classmate was getting over a very bad flu and so Jeremy adjusted her program to suit. This is something that I have really noticed during the classes – there is no pressure to overachieve, push your body to its limits or to keep up with other people in the group. You continue to work to your own ability level and Jeremy determines your exercises by how you’re feeling on the day.
there is no pressure to overachieve, push your body to its limits or to keep up with other people in the group
I was less stiff than I had been in previous sessions and my body quickly got into things, Jeremy setting me exercises using both my upper body and my hips and bum. There was a nice combination of more challenging strengthening work followed by gentle muscle-loosening movements.
One of the big benefits of Clinical Pilates that I hadn’t considered before I started was the positive effect it has on your brain. I am a notorious over-thinker and pilates is proving to be a great de-stresser. Spending an hour doing repetitious and non-strenuous exercises that still require a small amount of concentration means my brain focuses on what muscles are being used in my upper leg rather than what I have to do at work tomorrow.
One of the big benefits of Clinical Pilates I hadn’t considered… was the positive effect it has on your brain.
I have now been enough times to understand what I should be focussing on, which muscles I am trying to use and how to position my body to make the right bits work. I am getting more confident in each of the exercises, although I still feel a little odd when Jeremy straps me into one of the pilates machines, my legs at weird angles or with my bum stuck up in the air. I am also getting used to staring at myself in a giant mirror and am getting less hung up on whether that’s fat or muscle wobbling about in my lycra.
With one and a half weeks to go until the marathon, I am entering the ‘tapering off’ stage of my training. Jeremy has promised me one more ‘hard’ session before going easy on my body in the lead up to the event. I look forward to it.
To try Clinical Pilates yourself, simply make an initial assessment appointment with Jeremy, Sandrine or Jane through our website booking system or call us on (08) 6389 2947.
