One of the most common physical responses to stress and anxiety I see is my movement practice is rigidity in the Thoracic Spine (and by default, the ribcage), alongside shallow breathing patterns. When we experience stress, (and particularly chronic stress) we tend to hold our breath, brace our midsection, and restrict natural thoracic movement, creating a cycle of tension that reinforces discomfort (Van Diest et al., 2001).

Are you a ‘pusher’ or a ‘puller’? The positive effects of Glute Strengthening explained.

Understanding, and interpreting Strains and Strains; and the role this has in your recovery.

How the Whole Body Approach to Pilates is so applicable to our practice today...

Understanding our pain, (it’s trying to protect us), and being able to move out of fear state, is key to moving through it…

How to interrupt overwhelm, and calm the inner critic…

Finding a state of calm through the Vagus nerve…..

Balance is more than standing on one leg……Sarah explores the different elements that make up the concept of balance in this 5 minute read.

What I’ve realised is that there is a lot of crossover between plants and Pilates. Of course, we know that gardens have become increasingly important for Mental Health. They can be sensory spaces that allow time to breathe, to get away from technology and the news of the day, and allow us to nurture some things, whether that’s ourselves, a seedling, or an established plant. They ultimately offer hope, and so the parallels with Pilates begin….

What I’ve realised is that there is a lot of crossover between plants and Pilates. Of course, we know that gardens have become increasingly important for Mental Health. They can be sensory spaces that allow time to breathe, to get away from technology and the news of the day, and allow us to nurture some things, whether that’s ourselves, a seedling, or an established plant. They ultimately offer hope, and so the parallels with Pilates begin….

The shoulder joint, otherwise known as the Glenohumeral joint, is arguably the most complicated in the body.

Whilst it’s a ball and socket joint (like the hip), it is also a multiaxial joint – essentially meaning the movement at the joint presents in several different planes of direction. Pilates exercises, both mat and equipment, provide mobility, strengthening and stretching of the shoulder joint…

You do not need to be an anatomical expert to benefit from a Pilates class; however, having some understanding of your own body can help to enhance your practice, and in turn, contribute towards more positive movement experiences.

One key part of the body from a movement perspective is the pelvis. If you’ve ever taken a Pilates class, it’s highly likely you’ve heard mention of it…

From a physical standpoint, being inactive can present itself in a number of ways that can impact your movement. Back pain is probably the number one complaint that I see in the Pilates studio and this is often compounded by ‘Gluteal Amnesia’ – the laxity of the major muscle group in our backsides that is a key muscle for propulsion and power. Marissa Gainsbourg (2021) sites this beautifully as ‘Lazy-Ass Syndrome’…

What’s your relationship like with your Pelvic Floor, I wonder?

Like all relationships, our relationship with the pelvic floor can be healthy, and great when everything is going well. A healthy pelvic floor can contribute to a fulfilling sex life, efficient and ‘comfortable’ removal of waste from the body, (in men and women) and also plays an integral part in a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

From a movement perspective, If when you move, you leak urine, or pass wind (and OK, many of us have been here)….it can be embarrassing. But it needn’t be. Often, movement is medicine…