Pilates

Following on from the success of our first Holidays in 2011 Seraphina Pilates are once again returning to The Natura Beach Hotel, Cyprus but also to the Fabulous Forani Palace in Casperia, Italy in 2012. Join us in daily Pilates practice, wonderful locations and lots of time to recharge and re energise with inspiring people.

COMPETITION CLOSED

WIN copies of:

Weight Training for Men - A Beginner's Guide, Weight Training for Women - A Beginner's Guide, Everyday Yoga - The Essential Guide and Pilates - A Beginner's Guide all available from www.need2knowbooks.co.uk

In November 2001, inspired by her love of Yoga, Pilates and natural health, Alison Brown, Director of Natural Fitness Centre, opened the doors to the most perfect space where likeminded people could come together and enjoy learning and practicing.

Favoured by Hollywood A-Listers like Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller – Beautcamp Pilates is the hottest fitness craze from LA that promises to get you in shape fast by combining traditional Pilates techniques with circuit training.

With studios in East and West London, and a host of fabulous new classes to choose from you’ll be sure to find something that suits you!  Lou Garrod went along to find out what it was all about.

Whilst pregnancy is not an illness it is a specific condition that needs extra care and consideration when participating in exercise. Mums to be need to make changes to their exercise programme during their pregnancy. However, it is also important to remember that you may also need to make changes to your everyday life, the way you stand, sit or lift, will need adapting as your pregnancy progresses.

Although Joe Pilates did not create Standing Pilates, he would have realized the benefits of taking Pilates off the floor and turning it on its feet. Why? Because weightbearing exercises are essential for todayís aging population to prevent osteoporosis. Also, to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to prevent prolapse, and to improve our balance, all of which can be affected as we age and by poor posture.

Pilates has been referred to it as "one of the safest forms of exercise". Muscles are worked but not fatigued and it is understood that the English cricket team uses aspects of Pilates in its training because of its focus on abdominal and back muscles which has helped the sportsmen to recover quickly from sports injuries.