HomeHealth Fitness

Pilates and Breathing by Rachel Lawrence

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:18:24 +0000

‘Pilates? Isn’t that just breathing and stuff?’

This is often what I get asked when I meet someone who hasn’t tried Pilates. The short answer is NO, it’s not just breathing!

But the technique of breathing we use in Pilates is unique, fundamental to the work, and is used in every exercise you undertake. So a fully trained Pilates professional will always teach you the breathing first before you start the exercises. However that’s not to say you will be lying down breathing for your hour long session, far from it, but if you are to learn the method correctly, concentration and breath control are key, as is the mindset of being open to trying it, and having the patience to learn it. Pilates is an investment in your body not a quick fix so think of it that way.

For example, I’ve been training a professional singer for a year now who came to me originally looking for the aesthetic benefits of Pilates for their stage shows- long, lean and toned muscles, along with increased stamina. Apart from losing just over 10lbs and getting the lean toned appearance they wanted, they also noticed a significant improvement in their ability to hold their notes longer as they had more breath control. In Pilates we teach a particular type of breathing that works the intercostal muscles (those attached to the ribcage) and this seems to have beneficial effects not only for singers but those with asthma, upper body tension or just clients who generally need stress relief along with physical exercise.

The technique of breathing we use takes a few lessons to grasp but once you have it, you can use it anywhere, anytime- I have clients who even use the technique when they are weight training in the gym! So yes Pilates does involve breathing but that’s just the beginning………

Boxing, an oldie but a goodie

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:35:19 +0000

One of the most enjoyable ways to get fit. Very good exercise. Targets most of the bodies muscle groups especially when combined with skipping. We provide one to one or small group sessions at home, work or in the park so feel free to call about this. Otherwise, get some cheap pads and gloves from Argos, about £30 all in and do some boxing with a friend. Technique is less important when boxing just to exercise as opposed to pure boxing so feel free to try things. There are literally thousands of different combinations and routines out there. For free help and guidance feel free to give me a call. Good luck and best wishes, M

Summers coming, lets get fit

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:21:55 +0000

Sorry I have been off radar recently, been nice and busy developing some new and exciting things for HomeHealth Fitness. Times flying though and summer is nearly here. Its at this time of year that we start to wear less and less clothing, don’t panic, we can help. Our new summer fit programme specifically targets those areas most likely to be out with the sun. A combination of personal training and Pilates is the answer, feel free to call for further details. As ever we will come and see you at home and fit in around you, thus you will have no trouble fitting exercise into your lives. We can provide personal training and pilates across London and the South East now so no one is left out. Best wishes, Michael

Introduction to our latest affiliate: Inanch London

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:41:13 +0000

It is quite rare that we mention affiliates on here but in this case I thought our clients and casual browsers might be interested in ‘Inanch London’. In the grand surroundings of Marylebone and Fitzrovia, Inanch hair salon offers luxurious styling at affordable prices. From hair extensions and bridal hair to make-up services and hair treatments, there’s more to this boutique-style salon than meets the eye… You might even find yourself sitting next to Katie Holmes or Eva Longoria-Parker. For further details visit www.inanch.com

Pilates and Weight Loss Part Two by Rachel Lawrence

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:49:31 +0000

‘Shape not Weight’
One of my male clients came up with this phrase the other day when we were discussing Pilates and weight loss, and it brilliantly sums up what I believe is the right approach for clients who want to lose weight. Make your focus what you see in the mirror, not what the scales tell you. Ask yourself, would you feel better if the scales said you had lost two pounds but you looked the same, or, if you didn’t know what you had lost but you looked better because your waistline was more toned, and you were standing taller as your posture had improved?
Seeing is believing, and in my experience makes clients much happier as they are not continually checking the scales and obsessing about whether they have lost another pound or two. If you have decided to start a healthy eating and fitness routine, you will find that it may take a little time before you notice a difference, but with the Pilates approach you can be conditioning, toning and reshaping your body from the moment you decide to get yourself fit again, no matter how overweight or out of shape you think you are. As a female client of mine said this approach accelerates the ‘visual weight loss’ and encourages you to keep going because you feel so much more positive about the way you look.
When my male client who came up with the ‘shape not weight’ phrase first came to me his target was to lose weight, but by getting him to learn about his body, how the muscles work and why, he became more interested in the training and getting the exercises right than whether or not he had lost a pound or two that week. He’s been training with me three times a week for six months now and told me last week that for the first time in fifteen years he has ordered new clothes in a smaller size; he’s lost two inches off his waist and was surprised to find out at his yearly medical that his height has increased by a quarter of an inch. Both his waist reduction and height increase are due to the Pilates exercises he has been doing; the waist because we do a high concentration of core work that tones the whole abdominal area, and the height because I created a programme to strengthen his back extensor muscles, he’s not literally taller, it’s just with a stronger core and back muscles he’s now standing more upright again.
A real success story, and proof that no matter what age you are you can be fit, flexible and in great shape.