Pilates is much more than a form of exercise. It is a mindful approach to movement that can help you develop strength, mobility, balance, coordination and greater awareness of your body.

At Anahata, we believe movement is an important part of holistic wellbeing. Pilates offers an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with your body and build physical strength while developing a deeper understanding of how you move.

Whether you are completely new to Pilates, returning to exercise, or looking for a more mindful way to stay active, Pilates can be adapted to suit different bodies, ages and levels of experience.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a movement practice based around controlled, purposeful exercises that encourage strength, stability, flexibility and body awareness.

Rather than simply moving through a series of exercises as quickly as possible, Pilates encourages you to pay attention to how you move.

Breathing, concentration, control and precision are all important elements. You are encouraged to notice your alignment, engage your muscles thoughtfully and develop a stronger connection between your mind and body.

This makes Pilates a particularly valuable form of mindful movement, where the quality of movement can be just as important as the exercise itself.

The benefits of Pilates

Regular Pilates practice can support many aspects of physical wellbeing.

Build strength

Pilates uses controlled movements to strengthen the muscles throughout the body. Particular attention is often given to the body’s core, while exercises can also engage the legs, arms, back and glutes.

Building strength can help support everyday movement and give you greater confidence in your body.

Improve mobility and flexibility

Pilates encourages controlled movement through a comfortable range, helping you explore mobility while developing strength and control.

For many people, this can complement other forms of exercise and provide a gentle way to keep the body moving.

Develop balance and coordination

As we move through everyday life, our bodies constantly coordinate different muscles and movements.

Pilates encourages you to develop greater awareness of how different parts of the body work together, supporting balance, coordination and control.

Become more aware of your body

One of the most valuable aspects of Pilates is its emphasis on awareness.

Instead of simply completing an exercise, you are encouraged to notice your breathing, posture, alignment and the sensations created by movement.

This can help you develop a greater understanding of your own body and how it responds to movement.

Support posture and alignment

Pilates can help develop awareness of posture and alignment without suggesting that there is one “perfect” way for every body to stand or move.

Through strengthening and controlled movement, Pilates can encourage you to become more conscious of how you hold and use your body.

Pilates for beginners

You don’t need to be fit, flexible or experienced to begin Pilates.

A good Pilates class should provide an environment where you can learn at your own pace, understand the movements and gradually build confidence.

There is no expectation that everyone will move in exactly the same way. Bodies have different histories, abilities and needs, and movement can look different from one person to another.

If you are new to Pilates, returning to exercise after some time away, or simply looking for a different way to move, you can start from where you are.

Pilates isn’t about competing with the person next to you. It’s about developing a better relationship with your own body.

Pilates as part of a holistic approach to wellbeing

At Anahata, we see health and wellbeing as more than simply the absence of illness.

Our holistic approach recognises the relationship between body, mind and emotional wellbeing, and movement can be an important part of that picture.

Pilates gives you dedicated time to focus on yourself. Away from the demands of everyday life, a class can offer space to breathe, concentrate and reconnect with your body.

For some people, Pilates may be part of a wider wellbeing routine alongside other activities such as walking, yoga, massage, acupuncture or other complementary therapies.

There is no single approach to wellbeing that works for everyone. What matters is finding forms of movement and care that feel appropriate for you.

You don’t have to be a dancer

Pilates has strong connections with the world of dance and movement, but you certainly don’t need to be a dancer to enjoy it.

Pilates can be suitable for people with very different movement backgrounds and levels of experience.

You may want to:

• Build strength and stability
• Improve mobility and flexibility
• Develop better body awareness
• Support balance and coordination
• Become more confident with movement
• Introduce more mindful exercise into your routine
• Return to movement after a period of inactivity
• Simply make more time for your physical wellbeing

The goal isn’t necessarily to move more intensely.

Sometimes it is about learning to move more consciously.

Making time for movement

One of the biggest challenges can simply be making the time to attend a class.

Modern life can be busy, and looking after your own wellbeing can easily fall down the list of priorities.

Yet setting aside time to move can be a valuable form of self-care.

You don’t need to arrive feeling fit, motivated or flexible. You don’t need to perform perfectly or compare yourself with anyone else.

You simply need to turn up.

From there, you can take the time to listen to your body, learn, move and gradually build confidence.

Pilates at Anahata

At Anahata Holistic Health Centre in Brighton, we believe wellbeing is personal.

Our Pilates offering reflects our wider approach to health: creating a welcoming environment where people can explore movement, develop physical strength and take time for themselves.

Classes are taught by experienced movement professional Aneta Zwierzyńska, whose background in dance, choreography, Capoeira, personal training and movement education brings a broad understanding of how people move.

You can find out more here about Aneta, her approach and Pilates at Anahata.

Whether you’re taking your first steps into Pilates or looking for a new way to support your physical wellbeing, you’re welcome to start where you are.

Ready to move?

The hardest part is turning up.

Once you’re at Anahata you can discover Pilates and explore how mindful movement could become part of your own approach to wellbeing.