October Holiday
Dear All,
Holiday time! As you know, I’m now away on my break but will be returning to classes for the first week of November. Our first class back will be Monday 3rd November at 2:45pm, with the rest of the week’s schedule running as usual.
As promised, I’ve put together a simple 25-minute Pilates video for you to enjoy while I’m away. All the exercises are familiar ones from class and are suitable for everyone.
Take your time, stay balanced, and really focus on how each movement feels — you can pause, rewind, or repeat (something you can’t usually do with me!).
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQxcs94P5cEwAkUJqtBMyqJlIxpGkkMvY
To help you stay active and motivated, I’ve also attached optional extras:
Holiday Pilates Challenge Worksheet – three short tests to track your progress while I’m away.
Pilates Flow Exercises and Instructions
Home Circuit Workout – a fun at-home HIIT routine to raise your heart rate and strengthen your whole body.
All are printable so you can keep them somewhere handy and use them throughout the week.
If you have any existing medical conditions, I’ve mentioned adaptations in the video.
For those with Osteoporosis or Osteopenia, please avoid excessive forward flexion (for example, Roll Down or Roll Back Up). Instead, keep your back flat and hinge from the hips.
Have fun and enjoy the video — there are a couple of little mistakes (you might spot them), but I promise that if you follow along three to four times a week while I’m away, you’ll come back stronger, steadier, and more flexible than ever.
A quick note about November classes
November classes are already starting to fill up, so if you’d like to make sure you have your spot before the Christmas rush, please book in as soon as possible via Gymcatch:
https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/7155
Keeping your space booked now means you can stay consistent right through the festive season — and your future self will thank you for it!
See you in November,
Fiona 😊
PS For those interested in the soft spiky balls I use in class I have found these on Amazon – not exactly the same but still really good for massaging your feet.
The Importance of Glutes
The Importance of Strong Glutes in Pilates
When people think of strengthening their core, they often focus on the abdominals. But did you know that your glutes are equally essential for overall stability and body alignment? In Pilates, the glutes—comprising the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus—play a key role in supporting your posture, enhancing movement efficiency, and preventing injury.
The glutes help stabilize the pelvis and spine, which is crucial for maintaining balance and control during Pilates exercises. Whether you’re performing leg lifts, bridges, or standing movements, activating your glutes ensures proper alignment and allows for a full range of motion. Strong glutes also reduce the risk of lower back pain by distributing the load of your movements evenly across the body, preventing strain on the lumbar region.
Incorporating targeted glute exercises into your Pilates routine not only tones and lifts this powerful muscle group but also contributes to better athletic performance and everyday activities, from walking to lifting.
So next time you're on the mat, give your glutes the attention they deserve—they are the foundation of a strong and stable body!