Pilates is a refined system of movement designed to strengthen, align and restore the body with precision and control. It is as much about awareness as it is about exercise. Each movement is performed with intention, breath and clarity.
Developed by Joseph Pilates, the method was originally called Contrology; the art of controlling the body through the mind. Joe’s philosophy centred on the belief that true strength comes from deep, intelligent movement rather than force or repetition.
At the heart of Pilates is the development of the powerhouse (often referred to as the core) This includes deep muscles of the abdomen, back and pelvis that support posture, help stabilise and re-connect us to our centre resulting in fluidity of movement. Through slow and precise exercises the body becomes stronger and more balanced. We become more connected.
The Classical Method
At the sanctuary, we honour the Classical Pilates method in its purest form. This means following a structured system that preserves the integrity of Joseph Pilates’ original work. Always congruent, some of our teachers offer a more contemporary evolvement. There is a teacher for everyone.
Practised on the mat, Reformer and comprehensive equipment such as the Tower and Wunda Chair to maintain the authenticity of the original system the method offers a unique combination of resistance and support. Movements are precise, controlled and purposeful creating strength without strain and natural alignment.
The result is a practice that is both strengthening and restorative, suitable for all bodies.
”You are only as young as your spine is flexible”
– Joseph Pilates
More than movement
Pilates is often described as transformative; not only in how the body looks but in how it moves and feels. With consistent practice clients will feel a sense of lightness and quiet confidence. Benefits also include improved posture and body awareness, reduced tension and a greater sense of balance and connection within the body. Pilates invites a slowing down and a return to one’s breath.
In a world that moves quickly, Pilates offers something quietly powerful:
Strength with grace. Movement with meaning. Return to stillness.
“Change happens through movement and movement heals”
– Joseph Pilates
Pilates & rehabilitation
Paul’s Journey with Sepsis
The UK Sepsis Trust challenge came to me at the end of Summer 2024 with its’ challenge of 20 minutes of yoga a day in August. Rather a gift than a challenge, I was thrilled at the notion.
This lovely pre-launch time of self-rejuvenation follows my wonderful last day of rehabilitation and private Pilates in the garden studio with my clients. Thank you to you all. You know who you are and I am grateful for your continued support whilst I have been keeping the studio door open whilst exploring the scene in London. My last session in this studio last week before it became the Reformer Studio, was with Paul and his lovely wife Yvonne. Paul came to experience Pilates at Sublime in January of this year with his story and when I heard it, I wanted to help. Paul told me in his own words “I walked into hospital unaided in July 2023 for a routine 10 minute procedure. Just a few days later I collapsed and then found myself in intensive care, having contracted acute life threatening acute urosepsis, almost certainly at the hospital procedure. I was discharged a couple of weeks later, barely able to walk due to neuropathy caused by the infection.
The NHS provided very little to no support in post-discharge recovery for me. After 6 months of frustrating inaction from them and at a very low ebb, unable to foresee a time when I would be able to walk again, I found and reached out to Amanda at Sublime to see if Pilates sessions could help me regain the ability to walk.”
Paul was very happy to challenge himself to walk across the sublime studio deck unaided for the first time in over a year. He did it with ease and such a happy smile . Paul is working hard and is still making further progress. I am thrilled to be sharing these moments with Paul and Yvonne.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pilates method is well reputed for toning abdominals and the exquisite results one can achieve from this. Pilates focuses on initiating all movement from the core, in particular the deep abdominals. This toning of the abs and pelvic floor muscles provides stability and freedom of supported motion throughout the body, resulting in reduced work-load on the back and as a consequence less back pain.
The Pilates method, initially termed “Contrology”, incorporating the mind to control the body’s muscles, was developed in the early 20th century by German-born Joseph Pilates who was born in 1883.
Joseph Pilates was a weak and unwell child who dedicated his life to improving his own physical strength. He skied, boxed, studied body-building, qi-gong and gymnastics. At fourteen years of age, in great shape, he posed for anatomical charts and determined that contemporary living, poor posture and shallow breathing were the main cause of sub-standard health. He ultimately devised a system of exercises and engineered the equipment out of hospital beds and springs. The Pilates Reformer and Cadillac (required to fully teach Josephs’ method) were born. Today these machines still hold the same principles and do not look unlike those devised over 100 years ago.
Joseph Pilates moved to England in 1912, working as a professional boxer, circus-performer and self-defence training instructor for the Police force and Scotland Yard. The British authorities however interned him during World War I and it was at this time that Joseph Pilates began to work with rehabilitating soldiers who were brought in with disease and injury.
It was invention born of necessity that inspired him to utilise bed-springs to create resistance; Reformer Pilates exercise equipment that helped to rehabilitate the soldiers. With his study of yoga and the movement of animals he trained his fellow inmates to an outstanding physical shape that, it is said, helped them to survive the great pandemic of 1918.
With 62% of the UK population being overweight, weight loss is one of my clients’ main quests. Along with a change in attitude towards food that I can coach you through, a dynamic Pilates sequence on the Reformer can be created for you and/or your family members/friends. Exercises to increase your heart rate at the same time work all of the bodies’ muscles will be offered to you.
These exercise programmes are designed to reduce weight, lose inches and sculpt your body.
Many people come to Pilates in order to gain stronger abdominal muscles and this is ultimately very achievable. However, the work must be taken outside of the studio and incorporated into your every day life but the benefits do not stop at your core.
Structural integration, understanding how the body is designed to move and learning to create a flexible, strong body that can move freely and efficiently are important goals of Pilates fitness. To this end, Pilates works all body parts in a very balanced way.
Health & Wellness is the fastest growing sector in the UK. Corporations are expanding into well-being services and offering coaching and fitness programmes to support their employees.
Back problems are one of the biggest causes of absenteeism from work and major costs to corporations around the world. Pilates exercises incorporated into a corporate health and fitness programme can help staff to maintain a supportive posture, teach individuals to be body conscious and aware of faulty movement patterns and encourage them to integrate healthy habits into their lives.
The principles of Pilates are in alignment with exercises that support back care. Awareness of the neutral spine and strengthening of the core postural muscles that support this alignment is vital knowledge for any patient with back pain.
Patients with pain caused by excessive movement and degeneration of the inter-vertebral discs and joints are particularly likely to benefit from the Pilates method. In addition, postural imbalances and irregularities can be improved upon resulting in less wear and tear on the inter-vertebral discs and joints.
Pilates improves mobility, flexibility, strength and suppleness of the bodies largest joints such as the hip, shoulder and knees. Controlled movement through these joints helps maintain an evenness of the muscular structure preventing unnecessary ‘pulling’ of the vertebral column, out of alignment. Pilates brings about body awareness of one’s movement patterns that may stress the spine and an understanding of how to change the patterns to ones that maintain neutral alignment. Concentration and awareness of excessive tension in the body help to bring about a more positive outcome.
Sublime Wellness develops deep intrinsic muscles that support the skeletal system allowing for functional movement and improved posture
~ Amanda Beechcroft-Kay