About Birch Lake Pilates

Pilates is great for everybody, from beginners to experienced participants, individuals recovering from illness or injury, and pre- and post-natal women.

The Pilates method is varied and flexible, building up from slow, controlled movements to dynamic routines. Exercises are taught in stages, starting with how to find neutral posture, achieving good form, and core engagement. Then the range of movement and resistance are increased to build strength, mobility and flexibility throughout the body.

Combining regular Pilates practice with a form of moderate intensity exercise that you find enjoyable (such as brisk walking, running, tennis, cycling, or swimming) will help you develop body awareness and strength from the inside out.

What to Expect from a Class

Classes are suitable for all levels, and participant numbers are kept small for a quality experience. Individual needs are reflected in class planning, and every exercise can be adapted, modified, or progressed.

Each class is 60 minutes long comprising of a postural set up, a mobilising warm up, a main session of exercises, a cool down with stretching, and finally a guided relaxation.There is no membership, you can pay as you go. Please book your spot in advance through the schedule on the website or app.

Please wear something that you feel comfortable in and that allows you to move and stretch freely. Consider wearing layers for warmer or cooler times during the class.

Exercise mats are not essential. If you do not own one, consider using a beach towel, blanket or camping mat instead. A few mats will be available to borrow in classes if you don't own one or forget yours. For home practice, carpets and rugs make a suitable surface to use. You may want a small cushion or rolled up hand towel for assisting in some exercises, and a blanket, socks or layers for the relaxation at the end of the class.

Meet Your Instructor

Beth Ward

Qualified Mat-Based Pilates Instructor

I am a qualified mat-based Pilates instructor and I continue to add to my professional development each year with various relevant courses and seminars.

I demonstrate a dedication to best practice and make sure that my knowledge is current, I show commitment to learn and evolve as a sports & physical activity sector worker.

I am qualified to instruct:

Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Mat-Based Pilates
Pilates for Common Orthopaedic Conditions
Antenatal and Postnatal Exercise
Pilates with Small Equipment

I aim to provide a tranquil, caring, and quality Pilates service for all ages and abilities.

What is Pilates?

The Pilates method has been around for over 80 years. Its founder, Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in 1880 in Germany. He grew up troubled by rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever, and he studied to overcome his health problems by developing an exercise programme that restored him to optimal health. Through his programme he gained enough strength to become an accomplished body builder, diver, skier and gymnast.

He believed that true well-being could be achieved through physical fitness and positivity, and that his Contrology method could be applied to activities of daily living.Traditional mat based Pilates preceded Pilates equipment. Pilates (or Contrology) was popular with dancers, gymnasts and athletes who realised the benefits of this programme of mental and physical conditioning which gave them strength, flexibility and mind-body awareness. In 1934 Joseph Pilates published his first book Your Health, showcasing 34 exercises designed for advanced practitioners, to be performed together in a specific order, making the session very intense.

The slow, controlled, flowing movements strengthen the deep abdominal muscles that stabilise and support the spine, realign the body and posture. Pilates connects the mind and body through concentration, balance, precision and breathing. The original name of this method was changed from Contrology to Pilates after his death in 1967 and it was introduced to the UK by Alan Herdman in the 1970s. Since being introduced to the UK, different schools of Pilates have been developed and they have adapted the system in many ways.

Today Pilates has become popular with all ages and levels of fitness because of its versatility.

TESTIMONIALS

“Beth is an excellent Pilates trainer. She checks how we are at the beginning of each class and can tailor the exercises, suggesting alternatives which we can take. Beth watches the class carefully, quietly and unobtrusively, and makes sure that each of us is making the correct movements. I very much appreciate this personal approach in the class context which, along with Beth’s friendly and gentle temperament, make her classes a pleasure to attend”

EILEEN

"Beth's classes are superb. Beth is very professional and a great communicator. The classes are fun and well paced and Beth is able to make adaptations to suit individual's needs. In the time I have been going I have noticed a clear difference in my core strength and flexibility"

HILARY

Join a Birch Lake Pilates class