What is it supposed to do?
You’ve heard of Pilates, well this is an advanced and contemporary technique but still based on the original findings of Joseph Pilates. As with the classic type of floor exercising Pilates, the training strengthens the deep abdominal muscles, the buttock muscles and the muscles around the spine. The only major difference is that with Stott Pilates, special resistance equipment is used and spring resistance, to be more specific, is emphasised. The programme will stabilise the pelvis and shoulder girdles, and stretch and strengthen the entire body with exercises that will also tone and elongate, improving body awareness and posture.
What benefits does it claim?
The list of benefits goes on forever. But perhaps the most important is the fact that it can improve bad posture, something that men and women have in common and that’s exactly why it is a type of exercise both can benefit from. It restores the natural spine curves and helps prevent or relieve back problems. Also, it’s known to strengthen, tone and shape muscles without that added bulk most women don’t like anyway. Furthermore, it increases flexibility, muscle control and range of motion, while also improving alignment, coordination and balance.
Is there any science behind it?
The spring resistance and sliding carriage, which are the main two characteristics of Stott Pilates, and the equipment used was developed by Joseph Pilates to enable bed-ridden patients to continue to exercise and develop strength and flexibility, working with springs taken from their beds. It’s a low-impact neuromuscular system of exercising that physical therapists, sports injury experts, chiropractors and orthopaedists swear by. It has even been introduced as part of muscular therapy for multiple sclerosis sufferers. And because it isn’t a weight-bearing exercise, any injuries or pains are not irritated.
What is it like?
When I first saw the equipment, memories of early classic horror flicks with torturing devices came into mind. In reality, what I was about to mount and spend an hour on was a reformer, a vital part of this contemporary approach to Pilates. As I already had knowledge of the basic Pilates rules, I didn’t find the whole thing that intimidating but was amazed to discover how different it was. My head was placed between two cushioned blocks and my feet on a railing. I was lying on a carriage that would glide back and forth depending on the pressure I would put on the railing. Although nothing seemed difficult so far, try having one leg in the air, dipping and curving it every time you roll but most importantly, breathing correctly. The breathing is actually as vital to the training as concentration, precision, control and placement. As I pushed, I would exhale and then inhale every time I came back down again. It may also sound like I was putting to much pressure on my knee joints, which worried me, but in fact, I wasn’t locking the joints each time I came back down; just far enough to do it properly. Next up was the upper part of my body. Just like of equipment you see at gyms, I was pulling my body with two ropes attached to springs but not weights. However, at the same time I had to keep my head and spine straight and my shoulders down… and breathe. Very difficult but it all constitutes learning to balance and control yourself and your muscles. It was early in the morning and I was dying, even though I hadn’t broken a bead of sweat but it was the most rejuvenating exercise ever and perhaps the first time I walked with a straight back and a head high.
Where and how much?
Stott Pilates is practiced at the Nicosia Pilates Studio by Christoforos Michalias, a certified instructor. Call 22-452220 or 99-498585 to book a class. £220 for 10 private sessions (£400 for 20, £540 for 30 and £800 for 50).
