Matwork Pilates with Joanna Batten, Kathy King & Ana Barretxeguran
~ including antenatal/postnatal classes ~
Saturday Pilates with Ana Barretxeguran
Ana now runs a new Saturday morning matwork class at 9.45am for an hour. If you would be interested in attending, please call her on 0776 6662257 or email at ana@thesunflowercentre.co.uk
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Pilates with Joanna Batten
Jo Batten is imminently moving away from London and so is handing her classes over ~ we all wish her very well with her new pilates career developments! She will be sorely missed by all her clients.
I certified with the Pilates Foundation UK graduating from the matwork teacher training course in 2002. In addition I completed a 2 year yoga teacher training at Morley College in August 2005. I have taught in a range of places including Lewisham College, Community Education Lewisham and Greenwich Dance Agency as well as maintaining a private practice.
What is Pilates? Pilates is a unique and effective form of exercise. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920's it works to stretch and strengthen the whole body and is endorsed by many health professionals, including osteopaths and physiotherapists.
Pilates uses precise exercises to strengthen the deep postural muscles (particularly those of the back and stomach), which help to stabilize and support the spine and joints. The movements used in Pilates are slow and precise to ensure effectiveness and safety, making it an ideal form of exercise for those recovering from injury.
In addition Pilates involves the integration of the mind and body to help improve efficiency of movement leading to enhanced natural alignment and flexibility.
Pilates also helps to release stress and tension leading to a body that is not only stronger and more flexible, but in addition less tense and in better balance.
Who can benefit from Pilates? Pilates is a form of exercise that is suitable for all ages and abilities. It is widely used for the rehabilitation of a variety of conditions including back pain, postural problems, shoulder and neck tension/injuries, scoliosis, knee problems, tension headaches and repetitive strain injury. Pilates can also be adapted and beneficial both pre and postnatally.
What are the sessions like? Each session consists of a series of exercises that are designed to meet the needs of the group or the individual. The work is developed gradually, establishing the basic principles of alignment and breathing before exploring movements that stretch and strengthen specific areas of the body.
Most of the work is done lying down of a mat which provides stability for the spine and joints during movements and occasionally elastic (physio) bands are used to add resistance to help strengthen muscles or add support to stretches.
How many sessions will I need? Some people may find after comleting a course of sessions that they are able to take the principles of Pilates into their daily lives and practise the exercises by themselves. Others may want to do lessons on an ongoing basis for the treatment and prevention of postural problems/injuries or as a continual part of a fitness programme.
Classes at the Sunflower Centre are held in small groups of 6 people. This allows closer contact with each individual than in larger groups. Please note that whilst there is disabled access to the Centre, the room used for Pilates is on the first floor. It may be useful to have a one-to-one session before starting on a group class if either you are a complete beginner, or else have specific needs, for example following an injury. To enquire into these and group classes, call me directly on 07747 692010 or email me at jopilates@thesunflowercentre.co.uk
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Pilates with Kathy King
I first became involved in Pilates in 1998; having always enjoyed physical activity, most particularly the modern and African dance classes I attended for many years during and after university (many years ago!) I found Pilates ideal – it offered the tone and strength I was looking for, the flow and coordination that made movement so enjoyable, and the deep feeling of relaxation and energy that came with having to connect my mind with my body. It was “intelligent“ exercise and I grew to love it!
I trained in 2001 with BCPA (Europe’s leading professional body for Pilates instructors and the first to be recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals) and have been teaching privately from my studio in Blackheath and group classes in Greenwich since then. I am qualified up to an advanced level in matwork and have participated in numerous workshops on pregnancy, core stability, postural assessment as well as other forms of body work such as Gyrokinesis and The Franklin Method. I have presented to local Osteopaths and Physiotherapists and take regular referrals from them.
About 2 years ago I began Dynamic Yoga as I felt it would be the perfect companion to Pilates matwork. I continue to take classes with a wonderful teacher who has vast experience not only in Yoga, but Pilates, Gyrotonics and the Alexander Technique. Her teaching has been inspirational. I have gone on to do Iyengar yoga as well and maintain a regular yoga practice, all of which has had a great impact on my Pilates teaching.
My classes are designed to give people what I have experienced - easy, dynamic enjoyable movement, which ultimately strengthens, enhances flexibility and body awareness and makes you feel good – inside and out.
I have lived in and around Blackheath for the past 25 years, having first arrived from New York City to study at Goldsmith’s College. I am married with 3 children and a young puppy; Pilates has helped me stay happily on top of my active and busy life.
Classes I am offering general daytime classes on Fridays around lunchtime and antenatal/postnatal pilates classes dedicated to teaching pregnant women and new mums on Thursdays at 10.45am and 11.50am.
Contact You can contact directly on 07890 054772 or at kathypilates@thesunflowercentre.co.uk I would like to specialise in therapeutic pilates, for the older client. I may also offer one off workshops on Saturdays for those more experienced in pilates. Do let me know if you would like information on this.
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