Qualified physiotherapist and APPI Pilates instructor currently running private physiotherapy and 1:1 Pilates appointments in Motherby, face to face Pilates classes in Bampton and Penruddock and online Pilates sessions.
Pilates classes
What is Pilates?
Pilates was originally devised by Joseph Pilates. He started developing his method when he was interned at Lancaster Castle and then Knockaloe Camp on the Isle of Man during the first world war. He emigrated to America in 1925 where he founded a studio in New York. There were 34 original exercises to teach the awareness of breath and the alignment of the spine, using flexibility, strength and stamina. Nowadays almost every teacher will teach modified Pilates, due to the original exercises being very high level and not suited to the average person - including most teachers!
My Pilates Training
While training as a physiotherapist, I started to go to Pilates classes. A few months in, my 'moment' happened one day while out running; I suddenly felt like my body was 'connected' and my running improved as a result. I went on to complete my Matwork Instructor training with The Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) in 2013 and have been teaching classes ever since.
I have undertaken further specialist courses to use Pilates to teach:
- those with hypermobility
- antenatal and postnatal women
- runners
- cyclists
I regularly do courses myself to further my learning. These have been very varied and include attending the Annual International Pilates Conference, which hosts workshops and classes from all the different Pilates bodies, training weekends with MK Pilates and further CPD courses with APPI. Of great recent interest for myself was attending a course in 2019, held in a field on the site of Joseph Pilates' Knockaloe POW Camp, where the whole method started.
Are your classes suitable for me?
A lot of people are worried about attending a new class, so this is a good question to ask. My classes attract clients spanning a wide range of ages (14 to early 80's), with a range of ability within each class. It is important to remember that Pilates exercises have different levels and I work through these levels, placing an emphasis for my clients to listen to their bodies and work at a suitable level.
For my classes you need to be able to get yourself down to the floor and back up again and move from side to side on the floor. It is also important that you are not in acute severe pain.
If you have a current injury please contact me on 07411 902674 to discuss it and I can help you as appropriate.
Beyond that, working with the eye of a physiotherapist as well as a Pilates Instructor, I am known for my eye for detail and I adapt exercises to individuals needs as required. Whilst everyone thinks Pilates is all about 'core strength', my classes incorporate all elements of Pilates: balance, breathing, flexibility, strength, stability and control.
I regularly use equipment including:
- Pilates ova balls
- Bands
- Foam rollers
- Spikey balls
- Weighted balls
- Balance pads
Pilates with a difference
Every one of my classes is different and my methods are forever evolving to incorporate ideas that I pick up from my own training or experiences. I use the different equipment to keep the classes interesting; we occasionally work in pairs or do a 'fun' session. Although most of our classes are held indoors, there are times when we have the fortune of good weather and can hold them outside.
Our unique sessions have included:
- Pilates in the pool
- Pilates up a fell
- Continuous flow classes
- Circuit Pilates
- Disco Pilates
The classes
I run two Pilates classes each week. These are run on a 5 week block basis, at £30 per block, although I am happy for new attendees to trial a couple of classes on a pay as you go basis for you decide if they are right for you.
Please contact me if you have any queries regarding your own situation.
Mondays - 5.30pm and 6.30pm at Bampton Memorial Hall
Bampton, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2RS
Thursdays - 6.30pm and 7.30pm at Penruddock Village Hall
Penruddock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0QX
What do I need to bring?
I provide all equipment. Therefore all you need is yourself, dressed in loose clothing, and some water if you want some.
Some people prefer to bring their own mats, head blocks and equipment, which is also fine.
Dates NO classes
Bampton
Monday 14th March 2022
Penruddock
Thursday 17th March 2022
Testimonials
"I really enjoy Alexis' Pilates classes. She is encouraging, clear in her instructions and makes sure we are all doing the exercises correctly. She keeps the content varied and interesting and I definitely feel significant benefit from taking part. I can highly recommend these classes"
"Having previously failed to get on with both Pilates and Yoga, it was only through my wife's persuasion that I started attending Alexis' classes. How glad I am that I did. Alexis makes the classes really enjoyable and her attention to individuals needs means that whatever your level of ability, or flexibility, you will feel you have achieved something each session"
"As a beginner in my 70's, I was nervous about joining a Pilates class. Alexis has been hugely encouraging at each class, taking the time to explain each exercise, demonstrating how they should be done and going round the class giving individual advice and positive feedback.After four months I feel I have gained strength, improved flexibility and achieved better balance - I'm definitely hooked!"
"I have been doing Pilates with Alexis for about 3 years. I find the classes the right level of challenging and am always impressed how Alexis can accommodate different levels of participants. As Alexis is a physiotherapist I also feel confident in her expertise and am also amazed about how she is aware of how everyone is managing and able to offer a tiny tweak to a movement that can make a huge difference. I would highly recommend Alexis as a Pilates instructor"
"Alexis is simply the best teacher I have ever had, in 15 years of doing Pilates with 4 different teachers. The fact that she's a Physiotherapist brings so much added value to her classes, as she shares with us her knowledge of anatomy and physiology, not only to help us focus on the right things but also to learn and understand why we need to work on the exercises that we do."