In each edition of Behind the Moves, we'll give you the why behind some of the movements you're familiar with in class. When we attend a class each week sometimes we're unaware of the benefits of the movements we are offering our bodies and what those mean for our day-to-day movement and wellbeing.

This time we're talking all things Bridging!

When we become pregnant we might continue with our regular exercise routine, perhaps we may choose to adapt it or we may decide to slow down and try a new movement practice altogether. A pregnancy-specific exercise programme, such as Pregnancy Pilates, is designed with the different trimesters in mind and to support the changes that occur in your body rather than fight against them.

Swan is a Pilates exercise that you may know from your mat class and it also features in all of the apparatus too. Swan is a back-bend, known in movement language and anatomy as an extension. Extension exercises can often be our least favourite.

Let’s take a deep dive into Pilates Swan…

Whether you're attending a block of mat or equipment classes with Lauren or Charlie, or one of Hannah's trainee classes for the first time, or as a regular, or you’re thinking about booking in, here’s a handy guide on all you need to know about Pilates classes at the Lauren Hilton Pilates Studio.

At Lauren Hilton Pilates we use the full studio equipment in 1-2-1s and studio circuits class, this includes the reformer, tower bar, barrel and Pilates chair or ‘Wunda’ chair. Most people have heard of the reformer but the chair was, until more recently, considered a niche piece of equipment that only Pilates devotees had heard of.

What is the Pilates Ladder Barrel?

What is that?! What do you do on it? Clients that come into the studio are always curious as to what the ladder barrel is and what you can do it on it!

If you have seen one you may have felt a bit scared (a common response to the dungeon-like apparatus on the walls), or you’ll likely want to drape yourself over the ladder barrel as soon as you see it.

Fascia release balls and Pilates.

If you have attended Pilates classes at our studio or elsewhere you might have used release balls of various size and shape. I’m going to explain why we use these during class and what the benefits are to your body.

What is Pilates?

Is Pilates the same as Yoga? This is the number one question I get asked when I tell people that I am a Pilates teacher! Whilst there is crossover between the two movement methods, they are very different; yoga originates from India, whereas Pilates’ origins are a little more recent.

If you have you’ll have seen the various pieces of equipment with bars, springs, pulleys and leather covered beds and will be forgiven if you felt you’d entered some kind of torture chamber, many of my clients raise an eyebrow when they first the equipment! Whilst the Pilates equipment can look intimidating we will explain why using the Pilates equipment can do amazing things for your body.