Restore the balance between body, mind and soul with pilates! Throughout Brisbane, pilates studios offer incredible experiences to maintain physical strength, manage injuries, and instil harmony throughout the body and the spirit. If you’re wondering how pilates can help you, or where you can get the most out of this incredible health and wellness activity, keep reading – we’ve put together this guide to unpacking the perks of Pilates and showcasing seven of Brisbane’s must-see pilates studios just waiting to be explored.
Brisbane Pilates Studios – a little background
You might think Pilates is an ancient practice like yoga, but it was actually founded in the twentieth century by German Joseph Hubertus Pilates. Struggling with asthma and other physical ailments during his life, Joseph turned to exercise as a way to improve his wellbeing. He became increasingly fascinated by the classical Greek concept of a person balanced in body, mind and spirit, and sought to create his own system based on this ideal. He named this system “Contrology”. When he travelled to England in 1912, and later to the United States in 1926, he brought his exercise with him and trained others to great success. He continued training clients until his death in 1967 – he was 87 years old. Joseph’s faithful confidantes and students continued offering training and classes beyond his death, which they named “Pilates”.
Can anyone teach Brisbane Pilates Studios?
At the very least, it’s good to engage an instructor who has Certificate IV level training in Pilates, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. When you see an instructor has this qualification, you know that their training has been accredited by the government, and you’ll have the assurance they understand anatomy and the entire repertoire they’ll be teaching and assessing. With a Certificate IV course under their belt, your instructor will be able to impart correct breathing techniques and training with basic equipment and small apparatus.
Some instructors progress in their training, undertaking a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Pilates. This training gives them a deeper knowledge of equipment, anatomy and pathology. A Diploma graduate is able to work with Allied Health practitioners to assist with rehabilitation and to work with prenatal and postnatal clients. Advanced Diploma graduates carry a further understanding of how Pilates can help manage chronic illnesses and injuries.
The core of Pilates
Pilates is founded on six principles, which were developed by Joseph Pilates and expanded upon after his death. These principles include:
- Breathing: Breathing was, for Joseph Pilates, the fundamental part of the exercise. He believed all people should learn deep breathing practices to help them focus on the exercise at hand and to send greater blood flow to their muscles.
- Concentration: Focusing on each movement helps you get the most out of your Pilates session, improves the link between your mind and body, and helps you become more aware of what your body can do.
- Centring: Core work is the heart of Pilates exercises. Joseph Pilates referred to the core as the “powerhouse” of the body, from which all energy flows. A focus on the core instils calm in your body and spirit and allows your muscles to perform at their best.
- Control: Pacing your movements helps them to be directed more intentionally. It’s much better to move with safe, steady and complete control rather than with speed and high intensity.
- Precision: Employing intentional accuracy in exercise is much more important than lots of reps done with poor form.
- Flow: Pilates movements are intended to be smooth, continuous and graceful, flowing from one into the other and helping to build strength, conditioning and stamina.
Pilates and yoga – aren’t they the same?
Some people easily confuse Pilates and yoga. While both feature low-intensity movements designed to boost wellness, there are differences in their origins and goals.
While we know Pilates was founded in the twentieth century, yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that embodies a holistic approach, striving to boost harmony between mind, body and spirit (which is known as the “inner self”).
Although Pilates can help you become more mindful and connect more deeply with your spirit, its focus isn’t on spirituality but on body conditioning through low-intensity, fluid exercises.
Both exercises are also performed at different paces. Many yoga classes focus on movement and breathing, particularly through the holds and refinement of poses, while Pilates encourages continuous, carefully controlled movement through each exercise.
The perks of Brisbane Pilates Studios
There are so many benefits of embracing a Brisbane Pilates Studios exercise regime. These include:
- – Better flexibility, strength and tone, particularly of your core muscles
- – Better balance, stability and control
- – Improved posture
- – Injury rehabilitation and prevention
- – Improved coordination and balance
- – Relaxed muscles
- – Better concentration and awareness
- – Improved stress management and relaxation techniques
Types of Pilates
The great thing about Brisbane Pilates Studios is that it’s suitable for everyone and can be performed either using your own body weight or with the assistance of equipment. Typical workouts involve exercises and stretches founded on correct breathing and control.
If you choose a mat-based Pilates exercise, you’ll use gravity and your own body weight to create resistance. You’ll provide conditioning to the deeper muscles of your body to boost posture, coordination and balance.
If you go with equipment-based Pilates, you’ll use specialised equipment that operates with spring-loaded resistance. A popular apparatus is the “Reformer”, which is a moveable carriage that you pull and push along its tracks. Some Pilates workouts also feature weights or small pieces of equipment adding increased resistance to muscles.
The Must-See Brisbane Pilates Studio Near You
If all this sounds great and you’re just itching to get yourself off to a Brisbane Pilates Studios session, you’re in luck! Brisbane’s home to some amazing Pilates studios – here are our top seven recommendations:
Pilates Personified, Carindale
Begin your journey to wellness with a visit to Pilates Personified. Founded over twenty years ago, this Brisbane pilates studio is centred on helping individuals and families alike experience the benefits of their well-equipped, air-conditioned studio and friendly team. Enjoy small, individualised classes led by highly-qualified instructors who will take the time to listen to your particular needs and goals, and help you meet them through safe, efficient programs.
Kensho Boutique Pilates, Morningside
For locals near Morningside, there’s no better place to achieve the balance between mind and body than at Kensho Boutique Pilates. Harnessing the Kensho Awaken system, Kensho’s founder Elaine works alongside her team to identify and tailor individualised plans and goals, help clients build strength and awareness, and feel at one with their body, mind and spirit. With the Kensho team, you know you’re receiving quality instruction and support for every aspect of your health and wellbeing.
Pilates 26, Mowbray, Brisbane Pilates Studios
Bring your body and mind into harmony with a visit to Pilates 26. The friendly, experienced team of instructors pride themselves on exceptional service, individualised support, and cultivating a judgement-free space. When you choose from the range of class types on offer, you’ll experience the benefits of a low-impact exercise focused on strengthening your core and creating stability throughout your body. Sessions can be either group-focused or individual, depending on your requirements and preferences.
Pure Health Club, Coorparoo
Another Brisbane Pilates studio that truly impresses is Pure Health Club in Coorparoo. Within their spacious studio, they offer Pilates, yoga, and a range of fitness classes for everyone to enjoy. As Pure’s experienced instructors are trained in a great range of fitness activities and styles, they understand Pilates’ focus on conditioning and strengthening. The Pure team is passionate about helping you achieve your goals, while also enjoying the process along the way.
Care Contour, Wilston
Wilston locals can experience the great benefits of Pilates for themselves when they visit Care Contour. Their friendly, experienced team offers a range of classes, including strength and conditioning, stretch and mobility, postnatal, and Reformer. With Care Contour’s approach, you’ll enjoy the great benefits Brisbane Pilates Studio has to offer – strengthened and conditioned muscles, improved tone and posture, injury prevention, and a fluid connection between mind and body. What’s more, if you’re a mum or dad who finds it hard to take some time for yourself, Care Contour offers free child-minding during specific class times and offers a space for older children to wait and play while you enjoy your Pilates session.
All Women’s Health, Paddington
For women in Paddington and surrounds, there’s never been a better place to practice Pilates than All Women’s Health. Their class offerings are founded on holistic care, intuition, and friendly support, and on a desire to give women the encouragement and empowerment they need to achieve their fitness and strengthening goals. Classes include prenatal and postnatal workouts, sessions for women of any age, and classes for pregnant women or new mums who work in the medical field.
The Body Refinery, New Farm
Enjoy ultimate mind and body balance with a visit to The Body Refinery. Their Pilates classes will help you improve your general fitness and wellbeing and manage the impacts of injury or pain. Their experienced, approachable instructors are on hand to offer individualised services perfectly tailored to your requirements and fitness goals.
Contact Mel Watt Photography for the ultimate women’s empowerment experience
Take the perks of Pilates to the next level with a visit to Mel Watt Photography. We love helping every woman embrace their essence, with our black-and-white ‘No Makeup’ portraits. Inspired by her own experiences, photographer Mel created the ‘Empowering Women Photography Project’ to highlight the natural beauty and appearance of women and to help them recognise their self-worth. Mel’s delicate approach and supportive team allow you to truly feel comfortable and beautiful. Contact Mel Watt Photography today at 0407 436 994 or via her website to book an appointment.
