How can Pilates be made appropriate if I have an injury or underlying condition?

Pilates is a method of exercise and movement that can be modified to accommodate many injuries, ailments and conditions. An individual, tailored Pilates program can be beneficial post rehab as movement is key to recovery from injury.

Pilates can help you rebuild your strength, confidence in movement, muscle tone and improve your flexibility.

We recommend any client with a history of pain, injury or an underlying, chronic condition to start with an Initial Assessment.

This is a discounted 60 minute one to one session with one of our teachers, where we take a history, check in with you on what your goals are from a Pilates program and then take you through a workout so we can see how you’re moving and give any modifications needed. Then we can make a more informed decision on what the best course of action is – whether that be more one to ones or getting started with group classes. We may also provide a home program.

We also offer 45 minute and 30 minute hour long, one to one sessions on our schedule to accommodate you. These can be bought singly or in multi- packs. We’ve even been known to do 15 minutes with a client if needed. Getting back to activity gradually and building a strong foundation incrementally is key. The aim is to get you stronger than you were before. Participation in a Pilates program can be a positive part of your recovery and is a great way to help you understand how to prevent future injury.

What kind of conditions can Pilates help?

As teachers one of the most rewarding aspects of our work is helping clients out of pain and improving their day to day activities. We work with clients who may have ongoing chronic pain or other conditions such as back or neck pain, scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis, MS, osteopenia / osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and arthritis and also those recovering from breast cancer or other types of cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Ireland, after skin cancer.  We have worked with many breast cancer patients to help them rebuild their confidence in moving well and regaining function post surgery. Check out some of our client testimonials for details. Exercise during treatment can be helpful for many people with cancer.

At Live & Breathe Pilates we provide safe programs for clients with osteopenia and osteoporosis. We help clients work on balance, functional movement and appropriate weight-bearing exercise during these sessions.

Back pain will affect many of us during our lives and as well as being physically debilitating, it can be a big knock to our confidence. Our body reacts to this and tries to protect itself from the pain by physically moving away from pain, causing compensation elsewhere in the body. Even when we have recovered from the pain these compensatory patterns can still be there and will affect how we function and move. Pilates can teach you to understand where these compensations are and how to strengthen the areas that need it while mobilising the areas that are stuck. Whilst we may not be able to totally eradicate all of your pain ever, our aim is to reduce the number of occurrences, their intensity and their duration and thereby improving your confidence in movement.

Why Live & Breathe Pilates?

Our experienced teachers have many thousands of teaching hours between them. All have worked with clients who may not be in the whole of their health and have helped them move more easily in their bodies.

We work closely with a network of physiotherapists and health care professionals who refer clients to us once they have completed rehab. Our collaboration ensures that our joint clients get the best possible results. It also is critical for us to be able to refer out to a trusted team of specialists when necessary. There are times that medical intervention is appropriate – and our team of instructors will always stay within the scope of our own knowledge and recommend physio / GP visits if we feel it is needed.

Our studio is welcoming and open to all – especially those times when you’re not feeling your best. We believe movement is key and we’re here to help you move well. Just get yourself to our door and we’ll help you do the rest.