This week we have mined the Brains Trust to get some expert knowledge on some common Pilates questions, as well as some interesting queries from our contractors and staff.
We chatted with Nicole Dixon, a leading Pilates instructor from Melbourne Osteopathy Sports Injury Centre, and she gave us the low-down on all things Pilates!
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a system of exercises designed by Joseph Pilates, who originally called his method “contrology”. Pilates is a type of movement or exercise that can be tailored to an individual’s needs, accommodating people ranging from beginner to advanced. The Pilates method uses a range of equipment, including the mat.
What are the main benefits of Pilates?
The main benefits of Pilates follow its six principles – breathing, control, precision, coordination, flow, and centring. Each of these principles has a purpose in all of the exercises, and when followed, you will feel the beneficial effects of Pilates.
Explaining it in basic terms – Pilates teaches our body to change its bad movement habits to good movement habits that start with a practiced conscious effort to an unpracticed unconscious effort. This is the reason Pilates is a great tool in rehabilitation as it teaches people how to move their body.
How many times a week do I need to go to see and feel a difference?
From experience I have found that people who practice Pilates twice or more per week receive some of the greatest benefits. This does not need to include going to a private session or attending a studio, but completing mat exercises at home, or taking the principles of Pilates and applying them to your everyday living from daily household chores, commuting to and from work, working or your weekly sport.
Joseph Pilates’ famous quote tells us “You will feel better in ten sessions, look better in twenty sessions, and have a completely new body in thirty sessions.”
How do I know if my instructor is a qualified teacher?
A fully qualified Pilates teacher who has completed a course through a government accredited organisation should belong to either the APMA (Australian Pilates Method Association) or the PAA (Pilates Alliance Australasia). Both are Australian Pilates Associations. Knowing they below to either of these associations is a good indicator they are a fully qualified teacher.
How much is a private Pilates session?
The cost of a private Pilates session differs between studios and instructors, expect to pay around $100 for a 1 hour private session.
What is a reformer machine and is it better than the mat?
A reformer machine is a piece of Pilates equipment that uses springs to either assist or challenge the user. The reformer adds a range of different repertoires to the Pilates method that the mat alone does not offer.
The principles still remain the same regardless of using the mat or the reformer. There is no rule that the reformer is better than the mat, nor is there any evidence that one is more challenging than the other.
Can I claim any health fund rebates for Pilates?
Each health fund has different rules around claiming Pilates based on what policy members are covered under, and whether the instructor is a Physiotherapist Pilates instructor or pure Pilates instructor. It is best to check with your health fund.
Thanks again to Nicole for all for her information. If you would like to give Pilates a go, reach out to our friends at Melbourne Osteopathy Sports Injury Centre. As always, please let me know if there are any particular topics you would love us to look into for future blogs or you have any queries or concerns.
You can call me on 03 9963 4832 or email us directly.
-Daniel Singer
