FAQ

How should I start Pilates?
If you are new to Pilates, you should start with a one-on-one private session. Without accurately knowing what level you are starting from, clients can effectively be wasting there time or even risking injury by attending the wrong classes, or classes in general, too early.

What can I expect during my first private session?
You can expect to be shown the basic adjustments of the reformer apparatus, the Pilates principles and basic exercises. While performing these exercises, the instructor will teach you the correct way to perform them and the intent you should have at each moment.

You’ll have the opportunity to talk about your specific injuries, needs and goals as well as discuss what would be an ideal Pilates program for you and your body.

How often should I do Pilates?
Like any form of exercise, consistency is key, and it is helpful to not let too much time pass in order to remember the previous lesson and incorporate the information in your body. We recommend 2 or 3 times a week, after a few weeks of this routine you will be able to see and feel a change in your own body.

How will Pilates address my individual fitness needs and goals?
Since Pilates incorporates all aspects of health and wellbeing of the mind and body, it can be tailored to address and improve specific areas of your health at any point: flexibility, strength, control, balance, breathing, weaknesses, imbalances, muscle tone, weight loss and more.

Should I take private lessons or group classes?
While private instruction is by far the fastest way to improve and to achieve results, some clients prefer a group atmosphere or are perhaps unable to afford private sessions. Some clients choose to do both; they might focus on a specific area in the private sessions and then mingle with fellow students in classes. In either case, new clients should start off with private instruction and then choose what is best for their own goals and situation.

What should I wear?
Clothing that is not restrictive to your movement yet not too loose is ideal. Your instructor will want to be able to see how your body and muscles move. You’ll leave your footwear with your possessions so wear something that is easy to slip on and off.

How long will it take for me to see results?
Joseph Pilates was famously quoted as stating “you’ll feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 and have a whole new body in 30 sessions.” Over the years we’ve found this to be remarkably true! More importantly, clients often feel amazingly refreshed and energized after every session.

How can beginners get the most benefit from Pilates?
Start correctly. An Olympic power lifter does not start by lifting the heaviest weight they can and hoping they do well! They learn correct form and technique, followed with specific exercises and training tools to improve slowly over time.

What should I look for in a Pilates Studio/ instructor?
With Pilates being a very precise and specific form of exercise, you should look for studios that pride themselves in employing highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable trainers. Studio’s that emphasize Joseph Pilates’ original teachings will also lead you towards a style of Pilates that has not been watered down into basic exercises but rather is a whole mind body system that can profoundly improve your overall quality of life. With specific instructors, you should gravitate towards those you trust, feel comfortable with and who inspires you to become more than you thought possible!

Do you offer free trial classes?
We do not offer free trial classes but do discount that first introductory private session from $70 to only $39!!

What is Pilates?
According to Joseph Pilates in his 1945 book “Pilates’ Return to Life through Contrology”, Pilates is “complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.” He continues to explain that Pilates, “develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit. In childhood, with rare exceptions, we all enjoy the benefits of natural and normal physical development. However, as we mature, we find ourselves living in bodies not always complimentary to our ego. Our bodies are slumped, our shoulders are stooped, our eyes are hollow, our muscles are flabby, and our vitality is extremely lowered, if not vanished. This is but the natural result of not having uniformly developed all the muscles of our spine, trunk, arms and legs in the course of pursuing our daily labors and office activities.” In short, Pilates focuses on building a healthy, injury-free body by encouraging controlled and concentrated movement. It centers the body with breathing awareness while maintaining dynamic spinal stabilization.

What are the benefits of Pilates?
Pilates improves strength, flexibility, balance, control and muscular symmetry. The rhythmic exercises promote elongated and toned muscles, and are noted for developing abdomen, lower back and buttocks strength, promoting a strong body core.

Beyond the physical improvements, Pilates dramatically improves the mind-body connection so many of us are lacking. As a result of the physical changes it promotes, we feel mentally stronger and capable of maintaining a feeling of calm and control in our daily lives.

Who can do Pilates?
Everyone! Pilates is a practice that can be continued as we age, with no limit. In fact, we often get better with age! Pilates is progressive. The more consistent we are, the better able we are to execute the work. Our joints get better, instead of worse. Our muscle tone improves and most importantly our spines get straighter and our breathing improves. As Mr. Pilates said, “We are only as old as our spines. If our spines are inflexibly stiff at 30, we are old. If they are completely flexible at 60, we are young!”

Can I get an effective workout with Pilates videos and books?
While you can learn a choreography of the exercises from a video, it is unlikely that you will be performing them correctly, or, more importantly, be able to mindfully focus on the different principles of Pilates without guidance and cues from a knowledgeable instructor. So much of the power of Pilates comes from subtle changes in our intention and mind-body connection while performing these exercises that it is difficult to get everything possible from Pilates without experienced guidance.

How does Pilates differ from yoga?
Joseph Pilates was inspired by other exercise modalities from all over the world so there are some similarities. Pilates has a different approach to breathing and the way the core is used. It could also be said that Pilates focuses on the movement rather than the holding of positions (or asanas) as in Yoga.

What is the difference of Mat and equipment Pilates?
Although not always the case, often times mat classes are larger classes with more students, this of course means less personal attention which in Pilates quickly translates to a slower progression speed for the client. They also require less training to teach and can therefore be instructed by less knowledgeable and experienced instructors which can decrease the effectiveness of the teaching further.

Mat Pilates uses the body’s own resistance which is not as adjustable as the reformer. This can sometimes make learning correct form more challenging and increase the likelihood of injury. We therefore usually recommend Mat Pilates classes for healthy, relatively fit, injury and pain free clients with a good understand of the principles of Pilates.

Is Pilates a cardiovascular workout? Can I lose weight with Pilates?
Pilates is a wonderful program for those who are starting or already engaged in a weight loss program. You will learn to activate and move your body safely utilizing your muscles the way the body was designed to do and will be better able to engage in other physical activities along the way. Although Pilates itself is not a true cardiovascular activity, numerous clients have lost huge amounts of weight because of the way Pilates makes them feel.

When you feel freer, lighter and able of move easier, you feel better about yourself, your efforts and your progress which in turn makes people want to eat better and workout more. We’ve found it is this positive cycle that can produce lifelong permanent change and that is what Pilates was designed to do!

I have chronic injuries/pain, is Pilates safe for me?
Yes, many clients with very specific injuries and pain are forced to take private tailored sessions since classes can be too much for them. The subtle, re-education of Pilates can make huge lifelong improvements to debilitating pain relating to movement and posture of the body.

How do I sign up for classes?
You can go to our Online Scheduler to reserve your spot in any class.

What if a class is already full?
If a class is full you can always add yourself to the waitlist. Chances are usually good that you will get into the class. As soon as someone cancels, you will be sent an email to notify you that you have been added into the class. Please only place yourself on the waitlist if you are able and willing to attend the class.

What happens if I miss a class?
Due to our small class size and therefore limited number of spots we maintain a strict 24 hour cancellation policy for late cancellations and no shows. Our class membership clients can have their session returned to them if we can fill their spot in class

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