The Benefits of Private Pilates Classes

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Teaching the ‘Shaving’ of the Arm circles series on the reformer

Teaching the ‘Shaving’ of the Arm circles series on the reformer

The popularity of mainstream Pilates has seen it evolve from gyms to more specialised Pilates studios. This evolution is a step in the right direction, but I sometimes wonder if some studios haven’t simply applied a gym class mentality to the Pilates method.

Pilates demonstration of true Strength, Coordination and Control stems from technique in its strength work and precision. It is more than just being on a reformer, moving the body and cracking a sweat. Many Pilates studios have sacrificed the integrity of the Pilates method to offer group classes — substituting importance of technique for commercial enterprise. This diminishes the understanding and hence the essence and real benefits of Pilates.

The most obvious benefit of having a private Pilates class starts from the immediate fact you have the instructor’s undivided attention. Where choices, instructions, explanations of exercises are all tailored for one specific Body and Mind. The flow on effects (in order) and benefits are;

  1. Better technique in the Pilates method,

  2. Better execution of exercises

  3. Better proprioception (body awareness)

  4. Faster progression and results of strength or recovery from injury

  5. More care and attention

Pilates is very much about technique and learning to work from the right muscles. This varies for each individual as each body has different strengths and weaknesses. With group Pilates classes, exercises are modified to fit all the bodies for mass application — cues are streamlined and instructions are ‘off the shelf’. The instructor becomes a surveyor of the class opposed to being a teacher of Pilates.

I understand the financial reasoning for choosing group sessions versus Private Pilates classes. But it is important to invest in quality instruction and learn the correct technique to get the full benefits of Pilates for the mind and body, otherwise your understanding thus practice will be superficial and your progression slow.

As a Pilates teacher, I witness the dilution of the Pilates method through group classes when I see Pilates’s bodies looking and working out more like gym bodies — working all from their arms and legs, with no connection to their powerhouse. This makes me feel remorseful on two levels — The first is the degradation of such a wonderful complete strength training methodology. And secondly to most people, this is what they believe to be Pilates.

 

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Yung Ok Yoo

I spent most of my academic years studying Fine Art in various disciplines. I completed my Post graduate in Visual Arts majoring in Photography and minored in drawing. I continued this line of study into Visual Comunication and further my art skill base with Jewellery and Object making. During this time, I worked on commissioned paintings for corporate, commercial environments as an Interior consultant and decorator to which I also was commissioned to paint for for Private collections. My historical professional background stemmed in the hospitality industry - where I managed restaurants. It was during this time that I found Pilates having injured my back at work. In 2008, I started my apprenticeship under the tutelage of Master Teacher trainer Cynthia Lochard (2nd Generation teacher). My training was rigorous with culmative observational hours, training and practiced teaching of over 1000 hours before certifying. Since my Pilates certification in 2009, I maintain my weekly session with Cynthia Lochard and travel to New York every two years (most recently October 2014) to partake in intensive training at the Head Quarters for Romana's Pilates at True Pilates New York originally know as Drago's. It is here, I continue my tutelage with Master Teacher Trainers Jerome Weinberg & Cynthia Shipley who worked closely with the late Romana Kryzanowska herself. In NYC - October 2014 - I also had a chance to work with Peter Fiasca Founder of Classical Pilates. As well as NYC, I have travelled to Singapore, Paris, London and trained with international teachers. In 2013, I opened True Pilates Sydney Studio, because I felt there were very few Pilates studios in Sydney that focused on the True Pilates Method - hence I named the studio 'True Pilates Sydney'. Through my own teachings I hope to inspire, train and educate others in the art of Pilates as I have been inspired in my own training and journey.