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Pilates for Office Workers

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New research, published in The Lancet in July 2016, estimates that physical inactivity cost healthcare systems and workplaces almost €60.26 billion worldwide.

Our lives have become more and more sedentary as we use tech to make our lives easier. Office PilatesWe are constantly tethered to our screens – phones, laptops, TVs etc.

This tethering has led to less movement in our lives. Office workers can spend upwards of eight hours of their work day doing the same thing – many of them sitting in front of a computer. Staying in the same position all day, every day can have a detrimental effect on the body by creating muscular imbalances.
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Pilates for Men

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There is a common misconception that Pilates is only for women. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Joseph Pilates was a man after all.

Joe was a circus performer and a boxer, he trained military personnel, he smoked cigars, drank whiskey and he spent most of his life teaching in his underpants Pilates for Men(!)  He taught many dancers, athletes, performers and the general public from his studio in New York from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Football players, rugby players, golfers, climbers and tennis pros use Pilates to recover from injury and strengthen their game. The GAA recommend Pilates to their players and many Olympians use Pilates as a key part of their cross training programs too.
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Getting to know…Steph Grey

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This is the next in our series of Getting to Know Your Instructor. Meet Steph owner and founder of Live & Breathe Pilates, anatomy nerd, eternal student and cheese addict.

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?Steph Full Hang

Loads of things, it changed month to month – vet, journalist, geographer, cartographer, TV chef, astronaut.

What inspired you to become a Pilates teacher?

I really needed a change. I felt I had to get out of the IT world, but had no idea what I wanted to do. So I did a course on changing careers. It made me think about what my skills were and what I enjoyed, and Pilates was high on the that list. I had been taking Pilates classes since 1999 so I booked myself onto a teacher training course later that year. I wanted to learn about the Method more than anything else at the time but as part of the course we had to teach and it was then I realised I loved instructing and helping others get strong and/or recover from injury. Fast forward 17 years (!?!?) and here we are. The studio is now open 4 1/2 years and we have the most amazing team of instructors and I’m blown away daily by our fantastic clients and their progress.

What’s your favourite thing about teaching?

Helping people out of pain. Helping people move again after injury. Helping people feel the joy of movement in their bodies. Teaching people about their bodies and how they can move with ease. Having fun with movement. Those “Aha” moments clients get when they feel the power of Pilates. Seeing clients getting stronger and stronger.

And physically being the in studio – I just love the space we have created in Camden Row. I am slightly biased though 🙂 Ooops, that’s multiple things. I do get a bit carried away as I’m pretty passionate about what I do!
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Getting to know…Gigi Tynan

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This is the fourth in our series of Getting to Know Your Instructor. Meet Gigi Tynan the most recent addition to our team at Live & Breathe Pilates.

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up? Gigi

I wanted to become a dancer.

What inspired you to become a Pilates teacher?

When seeing the benefits of what Pilates did for my own body, I was inspired to share that knowledge with other people and become a teacher.

What’s your favourite thing about teaching?

The job satisfaction from increasing clients body awareness and seeing them move more efficiently and also the pain relief associated with relieving physical imbalances such as back pain.
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Getting to know…Mariapia Cleopazzo

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This is the third in our series of Getting to Know Your Instructor.  Meet Mariapia Cleopazzo our resident Italian dancer, Pilates instructor and massage therapist….

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up? Mariapia

I was teenager when I started doing theatre but then I wanted to became a dancer. I applied for the Performing Arts School and I got in. What’s where my journey began.

What inspired you to become a Pilates teacher?

I really wanted to learn more about my body in a anatomical scientific way; plus the method helped me to recover from my injuries I’d suffered during my dance career.

What’s your favourite thing about teaching?

People (most of the times)!

What’s your least favourite thing about teaching?

People (just sometimes)!
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Fit for Life Classes

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Suitable for more mature clients, our Fit for Life classes are designed to get you fit and flexible and to build your Fit for Life Classesstrength with Pilates so you can continue to do what you love.

These are slower paced classes where exercises are modified as required – but don’t worry, you’ll still get a workout and have some fun too.

Functional movements are included to help you with the day to day. We also work on balance, posture, flexibility and strength during each and every class. We’ve even been known to add some golf specific work for those of you who like to get out on the golf course.

We can accommodate clients with osteopenia or osteoporosis safely, as well as working with those with hip or knee replacements, arthritis or those recovering from injury. And of course those who are injury free are very welcome too. We’ll get you moving, safely.

We do recommend you get in touch before joining these classes, especially if you have any underlying conditions or have been referred by a health care professional so we can discuss the best options.

We offer Fit for Life classes online as well as in person in the studio.

You can buy a single class pass and we also offer discounted multi class passes.

Book Online Fit for Life Class / Book In Studio Fit for Life Class

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Getting to know…Katrin Neue

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This is the second in our series of Getting to Know Your Instructor.  Meet Katrin Neue, dancer, mother, Pilates instructor and Somatics Exercise Coach….

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up? Katrin Ballet

I always wanted to be a teacher or dancer! It became a combination of both and my first professional training was to become a dancer and dance teacher.

What inspired you to become a Pilates teacher?

I wanted to teach more after dancing for a while and I really enjoy working with people from all walks of life. I just love teaching movement!

What’s your favourite thing about teaching?

That it’s an experience you try to get across rather than just intellectual knowledge when you teach movement. It’s wonderful to see clients gaining more and more control and looking and feeling more graceful.
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Women’s Health and Pilates

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Pilates is a movement modality that can be modified as needed for every woman’s body to promote health throughout their lives – from teenagers, to those in their twenties and thirties, for expectant mums, new mums, pre or post menopausal women and for those affected by illness. We have clients in their eighties who are coming to regular classes too – Pilates is really can support us our whole lives.

Prenatal

Prenatal Pilates This prenatal class is suitable for Mums to be and uses a modified Pilates program to keep you strong and healthy throughout your pregnancy. The class is suitable for those who are 12 weeks pregnant or more with clearance to participate from their doctor. We use a modified Matwork program as well as small equipment to help you support your body through pregnancy and beyond.

Book Prenatal Now

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Getting to know…Andrea Green

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The first in our series of Getting to Know Your Instructor.  Meet Andrea Green, instructor extraordinaire…Andrea Green

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?

Being a Kiwi kid I probably wanted to be a sports star of some description. Certainly not a sheep farmer!!

What inspired you to become a Pilates teacher?

I enjoyed the graceful movement practice when I first tried Pilates and loved the strength it gave me.  To me it was obvious how this exercise system could benefit so many people.
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Pilates for Breast Cancer Rehab

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Pink Ribbon ProgramOur aim at Live & Breathe Pilates is to provide a path to recovery and better movement for everyone, especially those affected by breast cancer or other cancers. Gentle exercise can be very beneficial for those recovering from surgery or taking treatment.

You can read lots more info on our Pink Ribbon Pilates website.

What is the Pink Ribbon Program?

Commencing an exercise program as soon as possible post surgery is a key part of recovery and regaining function for women, and for those men affected too.
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