Perfect Your Posture With Pilates

02 / 06 / 2019

Perfect Your Posture With Pilates

There’s no doubt that exercise in all its forms, from running and swimming to walking and badminton, is important to keep in shape and stay healthy. In fact, at Lighthouse Dental Practice, we enjoy taking regular exercise, from running in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, to local Pilates classes. It’s so important when the NHS advices that adults, aged between 19 and 64, should try to be active every day. Their physical activity guidelines include a whole host of recommendations you can follow. And one piece of advice is to do strengthening exercises that work all the major muscles, for two or more days a week.

So, if you’re looking for a way in which to strengthen and realign your body, we think Pilates classes could be just what you’re looking for. After all, this form of exercise has been popular for decades, for men (including footballers and athletes) and women. From correcting posture and soothing aching muscles to energising the body and mind, it seems this particular workout is steeped in benefits.

Tailor Your Holiday is a dynamic company based in Ipswich, Suffolk, which offers a whole host of Pilates and yoga workshops and retreats or even bespoke holidays. So, we caught up with the co-founder, Pilates instructor Asimina Kourouni, recently to find out what they can offer and why Pilates should be top of your to-do list. Here’s what she had to say:

Tell Us About Your Background?

Well, I have more than 15 years’ experience in the fitness industry and I hold a University degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences. My qualifications include EREPS Level 6 health and exercise specialist, aerobic dance, prenatal Pilates, rehabilitation of the spinal cord and related musculoskeletal conditions, and Body Balance certification. Along with my Pilates studies, I have become an accredited 2nd Degree Reiki therapist of the Usui System of Natural Healing. So, the combination of my studies makes my teaching approach more holistic.

Do You Remember Your First Training Session?

When I attended my first Pilates class, I felt that it fitted my body perfectly. The way I moved during this session felt so natural. In fact, the following morning, it was that feeling, which made me fall in love with Pilates. I remember I ached in parts of my body that I had never ached before. However, that ‘pain’ was ‘sweet’. It was the result of the effort I had put in, without feeling exhausted at the end of the session.

How Has Your Health And Exercise Experience Altered Your Perception Of Wellbeing?

Our motto at Tailor Your Holiday is: “Train your body, free your mind and feed your soul”. After 15 years’ practicing, training and coaching, you get to a point where every detail makes a difference. In fact, the experience gives you a better perspective of the human body and your approach becomes more holistic. After all, everything is connected; the body, mind and spirit. So, you cannot be strong if your mind is weak and you cannot achieve mentally without the physical strength. Hippocrates of Kos, the Greek physician who is well known as the ‘Father of Medicine’’, once said: “A healthy mind is a healthy body”. Yes, this is my greatest belief.

What Makes Tailor Your Holiday Different?

Well, we connect with the communities where our activities take place. In fact, this ingredient is essential to create a blissful, well-being experience for you and a sustainable business strategy for us. We have carefully curated only small and medium-sized, family-run businesses who employ local experienced staff as our partners. So, this way, we can deliver a truly authentic local experience during your bespoke holiday.

We also build long-lasting relationships with our partners based around respecting all our cultural diversities, protecting the surrounding ecosystems and the need to preserve local traditions, trades and professional activities. This way, we can offer a comprehensive collection of well-being workshops, coaching and retreats or you can consider a bespoke holiday plan at home or abroad – the choice is yours…

Tell Us More About Your Pilates Classes?

We separate our Tailor your Holiday Pilates classes into levels: Pilates for beginners, intermediate and advanced. You can use the Pilates reformer machines for compound exercises that really focus on balance and stability. However, if the Pilates reformer is not for you, we offer mat Pilates classes, too. My classes on the Allegro Reformer Machine with a hands-on approach are hosted at Pulse Pilates & Fitness Studio in Ipswich. Meanwhile, I hold mat Pilates classes at Quay Place Heritage and Wellbeing Centre, Ipswich.

Why Should We Take Up Pilates?

• It restores your posture and you learn how to breathe properly, so any pain related to the spine gradually decreases.
• Pilates increases flexibility and balance, giving you a feeling of being faster and lighter.
• It activates the muscles in a way that, after a couple of sessions, the body is firm and you look taller and thinner even if you haven’t lost a pound. It carves/shapes the body in a magical way.
• Pilates teaches you strength and balance.
• You will work muscles you didn’t know you had.
• You will notice the difference in your arms. Pilates doesn’t seem like the sort of exercise to work your biceps and triceps, but it really does.
• Pilates involves a lot of small, intricate movements working muscles that don’t want to work, so it requires a lot of concentration.
• It also helps to relieve physical tension in your body, making you feel nice and relaxed.
• It gives you a great sense of achievement.

Are Pilates Classes More Suitable For Women?

No, Pilates is suitable for everyone. For example, we help competitive cyclists, both female and male, build Pilates into their regime, both on and off-season. Off-season, we can use it to help you build strength and improve alignment. However, during the season, it will help you to stretch and release tight muscles, whilst improving core strength.

Core strength, flexibility, balance and efficient movement patterns are highly relevant to men’s fitness. In fact, the integrative component of Pilates can be especially beneficial for men, whose workouts often emphasise a part-by-part approach to muscular development. Increasing flexibility is a goal that Pilates addresses in a way that men often feel comfortable with.

What Activities Can You Take Part In On A Retreat?

Our retreats provide seaside or countryside accommodation, the meals are locally sourced and all-day healthy snacks and different activities, depending on the location. We customise every aspect of the Tailor Your Holiday experience to your unique needs. So, from the moment you contact us, we’ll make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. We then provide everything you need to design and deliver a unique experience. We can offer cycling, running, trekking and hiking retreats combined with yoga, Pilates and nutrition.

WIN! A £100 COES VOUCHER

PLEASE NOTE: This competition has now ended.

We have teamed up with Suffolk’s leading independent department store, Coes, to offer you the chance to win a £100 voucher for use on fitness clothing in their sports department. So, you’ll have no excuse not to get fit. With a new outfit, you could instantly feel more confident when you join a local Pilates class this summer!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply FOLLOW Lighthouse Dental Practice Twitter account (@LighthouseDent2) and Coes (@CoesIpswich). Them RETWEET one competition post on our Lighthouse Dental Twitter feed (@LighthouseDent2). The winner will be chosen at random, after the closing date [30.6.19] and will be notified accordingly. Good luck!

Terms & Conditions

• You are providing your information to Lighthouse Dental Practice and Coes not Twitter.
• Entrants must live in the UK.
• You must be aged 18 or over to enter this competition.
• Closing date for all entries is midnight Sunday 30 June 2019.
• We will select a winner at random by Tuesday 2 July. We will then notify the winner with a direct message.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Twitter or Facebook.
• The prize is for sportswear only, it’s non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given.
• Winner has 48 hours to respond to the notification that you have won. If we do not hear back from you, we reserve the right to choose another winner.

We are here to help you.
If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.