Pilates
Christchurch
What is pilates?
Pilates is a total body exercise, developed almost one hundred years ago by Joseph Pilates, to rehabilitate injured WW1 soldiers and later, for strength and conditioning of dancers. It is a series of exercises aimed at restoring balance and flexibility, improving core strength and postural awareness, and can also help with relaxation. It is a great way to increase your mind-body awareness.
Our classes are led by a physiotherapist who will ensure you are exercising safely. We run a variety of class times to suit everyone and also offer one-on-one sessions.
Who can benefit from pilates?
A wide variety of ages and abilities can benefit from Pilates and classes are suitable for all levels. We are able to adapt and make the sessions specific to suit your needs. Kate has had people attending classes from as young as 16 years old to mid-80s! Pilates is suitable for almost everyone no matter what your fitness level.
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If you have any of the following problems Pilates could be right for you:
- Postural issues
- Neck and Back pain
- Post-operative orthopaedic surgery eg. lumbar disc surgery
- Musculoskeletal pain and/or injury
- Muscle imbalance issues
- Pain with sport eg. running, biking, tramping, netball, rugby, soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket, Waka Ama
- Pain at work either in a manual or sedentary job
- Weakness into pelvic floor muscles causing bladder weakness.
- Ante and Post-natal clients (Kate is qualified in specific Pilates exercises for this area)
Private Pilates appointments are available!
A one-to-one assessment is required prior to you attending your first class. This is to ensure we carry out a health screen, postural assessment and have an opportunity to teach you the important Pilates principles we use in the class, including how to activate your deep core abdominals and improve your posture awareness. We tailor this session to you as an individual.
You can join us for our 6 week class blocks which are held in the evening and at lunchtime. We also offer one-to-one sessions using a relevant ACC claim or privately at a time to suit you.
Kate Horton
Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor
BSc(Hons), certified Matwork Pilates instructor (APPI) UK
Kate has a wide range of physiotherapy experience, having qualified in 2001 from Manchester University in the UK. She has worked in many areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy both in the UK and New Zealand, from sports teams, to hospital and private practice, and has taught Pilates classes regularly since 2008.
Kate moved to New Zealand in 2009 and has been teaching up to five Pilates classes a week. She connects well with people of all ages, to help to assess, treat and prevent further injury. She has a keen interest in muscle balance problems and postural issues. Kate also enjoys treating shoulder and back injuries, along with post-operative care. She relishes the challenge of working out the problem and treating injuries with a combination of manual therapy, exercise prescription and looking at long term prevention.
In her spare time, Kate is an avid runner and has been a member of Extra Mile Runners in Christchurch for several years, having completed a number of half marathons. Living close to the Port Hills with her husband, she loves having the perfect training ground on her doorstep.
Juliet Saunders
Pilates
Juliet has been employed in health & fitness since 1997, training and working in a number of different facilities in Melbourne and London and NZ. Her background as a dancer, training and performing in both NZ and Australia, has facilitated her role as both a trainer and a group exercise instructor.
Juliet has a BA of Dance from Melbourne University and began her Pilates study through Wellington Pilates studio owner Ellena Conland (Educator for Polestar) of Performance Pilates She trained in both in mat work and equipment-based work, (including Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda chair). Juliet also worked studied under Tanya Huddart (Master Pilates Instructor) and Susie Simpson (physiotherapist to NZ School of Dance).
Pre and postnatal training is a specialty area, initially studying under Lisa Westlake, the expert in Australasia, Juliet then completed further study through Australian-based Company Fit-nation.
From 2004-2009, Juliet contracted to Te Whaea – New Zealand’s National Dance and Drama centre where, as part of a Health and Wellness team, she developed and implemented strength training programmes for the dancers.
From 2005-2008, she was the Strength and Fitness Consultant to the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, working with the dancers to enhance performance and prevent injury.
Juliet’s broad base of knowledge and experience, and her dedication and commitment to her clients enables them to gain life-changing body awareness that allows them to achieve their results in minimal time.