everything you need to know about starting Pilates with tlc pilates

Are you a Beginner to Pilates on the Sunshine Coast? Chances are you have some questions…..

Or maybe you’re just looking for your new studio and wellness haven and want to get to know us a little better first!

Tamara here, Owner and Instructor at ‘tlc pilates’, thank you for considering our boutique studio for your Pilates practice.

Pilates is getting its fair share of time in the spotlight in recent years and the Sunshine Coast has had an explosion of Reformer studios in the last couple of years. Pilates offers a way to exercise that is very different from the gyms and crossfit of this world. 

It’s also a whole lot more than ‘just exercise’ once you’ve practiced for a while, and something I usually hear clients say after about 5 or 6 classes.

Having done Pilates for over 15 years now myself (teaching as well for the last 7) I’ve experienced and seen many different reasons for people to choose this way of exercise over others, but have also become very aware of some of the misconceptions out there.

Now, if I’ve heard these before, chances are some of them are things you’ve been wondering too.

Let’s go through some of the things you might be interested in if you’re looking to find a healthy way to exercise and you’re tired of the gym and other usual workouts;

IT’S JUST LIKE YOGA!

One I hear ALL. THE. TIME.

Even when I tell people we both do Pilates (my husband and I do regular lessons together) or I’m a Pilates Instructor, they still refer to it as Yoga (insert *facepalm* here). 

No need to go into a history lesson of the origins of Pilates here (if you’re interested there’s plenty of detail online, so Google it!) but I can tell you some of the main differences to Yoga (by the way, I love Yoga and I enjoy it regularly enough to be able to list out some of the differences); 

  • Yoga is all floor-based mat work (with props). Pilates has only a component that is done on the mat – the majority of work happens on spring resisted machines such as the Reformer, Wunda Chair and Cadillac. Using the machines is called Studio or Equipment Pilates.
  • Both Yoga & Pilates concentrate on breathing in time with your movement. Both use slightly different breathing techniques so don’t be alarmed when we talk ‘lateral’ breathing and not belly breathing.
  • Yoga tends to be more spiritual (and there’s nothing wrong with that!). Pilates is more about mindful movement and exercises. Although the awareness that Pilates brings about your body and the way it moves, can be considered like a moving meditation to some (including me).
  • When using the equipment, your exercises (or program) are designed for what you need, whether it be for Strength building, avoiding Injury, improving performance rather than everyone doing the same type of movements in unison. 
  • Yoga concentrates on poses strung together into flows where as Pilates generally uses repetitions of the exercise (more like traditional exercise)

IT’S VERY DIFFERENT TO THE GYM OR GROUP FITNESS CLASSES – IN A GOOD WAY!

A gym or large group fitness class can be very intimidating, confronting and not to mention noisy with loads of sweaty people moving around the equipment. 

Then, if you don’t have access to personal training sessions, you also have to be somewhat motivated to know what exercises you should be doing, how many to do, how to use correct technique and then…..actually DO THEM!

Not to mention navigating all the equipment, the settings on them and all the other people wanting to use it as well. Aaargh, stressful just thinking about it hahaha! Now I don’t know about you, but I’m also a little more motivated if there’s an instructor there to watch and encourage me.

On the other hand, a Pilates studio is a quiet, calm, inviting space and, believe it or not, is exercise that can be both relaxing yet energising at the same time.

In this world, where we are constantly connected, over-stimulated and in constant comparison mode I strongly believe we need a place to be able to move our bodies more slowly without judgement or competition, where the only competition is the challenge you give yourself.

Often our community comment on how fast the time goes during a class. You’re so busy concentrating on the moment, movement and your breath that the days worries are left at bay for a while. Exactly the reason why Pilates can help relieve stress and anxiety. The tlc pilates studio also looks very different to ‘gyms’ intentionally, (even to other Pilates studios) so it doesn’t really feel like you’re going to work out. We’ve tried to make our studio space as ‘un-workout’ like type of environment as possible, so you can fully immerse yourself in your movement practise.

IT’S ALL ABOUT MODERATION

There’s always a lot of talk about if Pilates can help lose weight. I’m not a nutritionist so there won’t be any meal plans or diets from my end but we’re happy to refer you to other allied health colleagues if needed. What Pilates can do is empower you to feel so good about how you feel in your body with exercise that you seek out ways to empower yourself to nourish your body from the inside too. Find what it is that makes you feel great!

I don’t believe in telling you you can’t have something as a treat and I definitely won’t make you feel guilty if you have, nor punish you with extra repetitions.

Of course, all in moderation and no one needs a degree to remind you that eating more junk than fresh wholesome food is not a good idea!

PILATES IS NOT THE MIRACLE YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Don’t get me wrong, Pilates can help to improve a range of injuries, restrictions, performance etc.

It can, and will (!), do those things…….over time. 

I’ve felt it do just that on a number of occasions for myself and I’ve heard it from clients a whole lot more!

A lot of the time our restrictions, imbalances and chronic pain are caused by decades and decades of moving inefficiently and that can’t be undone in a few haphazard visits. Any exercise program is a long term lifestyle commitment and our bodies insurance policy to get us through life with as much ease as possible.

I’ve suffered from bad posture and related chronic headaches/neck/shoulder/back pain from sitting at my desk for many many years. The work I had to do to reverse didn’t happen overnight and it’s still always going to be a work in progress. I’d hate to think what my life would look like now though had I not worked at correcting that then and still be working on it today.

On the flipside, when using Pilates for general Strength and Fitness Training, the benefits are visible after about 6 sessions. The creator of Pilates had a saying, and it rings pretty accurately actually, “In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body”.

Pilates works best when you are practicing at least 2 times a week in the presence of an Instructor (3 times in a perfect world) alongside some other cardio/movement such as walking, running, cycling etc. This is the level when you’ll notice the benefits. Of course, if you can only visit your Instructor once a week then that’s fine, just be more conscientious with your homework in between and keep yourself accountable.

If you’re wondering if I practice what I preach – I sure do, I visit 2 other studios a week for my own personal training and then daily Mat sessions at home alongside daily running/walking . I love how Pilates makes me and my body feel and how it helps make everything else (movement wise) feel easier!

But sometimes Pilates may not be able to help….Yup, if you’re wanting a diagnosis/treatment of a medical issue you’re experiencing then it’s time to see the experts. We won’t be able to prevent you from having to see your doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor if that’s what you really need but we will be able to help you find safe exercises for you to do with their guidance and clearance!

WHAT’S WITH THESE PACKAGES? WHY DO I NEED TO COMMIT LIKE THAT?

Yup, it’s pretty standard in the Pilates world to be purchasing 10 packs of classes in advance. It’s also pretty standard for them to have an expiry date and a 24-hour cancellation policy. And there’s really no sugar-coating why it’s done – COMMITMENT and ACCOUNTABILITY!  Plain and simple. 

Life is hectic, we all get that, everyone is in the same boat, even me, but this is about committing the time to look after yourself, giving your self-care time the priority it deserves to help you do life better in general.

It also relates to my above point. To see results and improvement you MUST have consistency in your classes. Without it, this will be just another thing you’ve tried to improve your health and fitness. Consider it like joining a sports team or learning a musical instrument, buying a term keeps you accountable and let’s face it, if it comes down to having to pay for something whether we go or not, that’s usually a pretty good incentive for making us get there! 

On a related note, some people ask why Pilates studios all charge differently. It’s a pretty simple one actually, the more people in a class, generally the less the cost is per person. At my studio, I only offer 1-1 and semi-private training and as such my pricing will always be different from the large group Reformer studios who rely on fitting as many people in class as they can. 

IT’S MORE THAN A REFORMER

Big Reformer Studios are very popular right now, in fact, even I love to attend a Reformer Class when I can….but…I’m aware of my body, its limitations and the attention I have to place on engaging the correct muscles and how to correct myself as I’ve been practicing Pilates myself for many years. It simply worries me that there are too many people (many of whom may be new to Pilates and/or fitness) in these classes to be really able to get the best result for their bodies needs. It saddens me a little that people think that is all there is to Pilates. There are so many other awesome pieces of equipment in a Pilates Studio to use and enjoy! 

The other equipment such as the Cadillac Tower, Spine Corrector and the Wunda Chair are some of the other fun pieces of equipment you’ll try in one of our Studio classes. And don’t worry, if fitness is your goal then there are plenty of ways to get your heart rate up and challenge yourself!

PILATES IS JUST FOR THE INJURED OR ELDERLY

This is definitely not the case at all!

Pilates is great for these populations for sure but they are not the only ones it appeals to…..

It’s also for those who want to find a way to exercise that they like and find fun and interesting. Something they look forward to, that’s not a chore.

It’s for those that want to work on the performance in some of their other sports and work on getting the most biomechanical efficiency as possible.

It also really is a great way to have an hour to yourself, forget about everything waiting for you at home or work, and just concentrate on building your bodies Strength & Mobility. In these hectic times, we could all do with working on our Mental Health as well as keeping our bodies well and moving through life with ease.

Hopefully, I’ve answered some of the things you may have been wondering about getting started with Pilates. You can also check out our FAQ page for some other common questions you may have.

Pilates has been my passion for a long time now and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about if Pilates is right for you.

Pilates can help with;

Posture

Flexibility

Stress Management

Lung Capacity

Spine stabilisation

Circulation

Coordination & Balance

Joint & Spinal Injury Rehabilitation

Shoulder, Neck & Upper Back Relaxation

Muscle strength (esp Core Muscles)

Whether you are looking for a gentle, safe way to move or challenging way to increase strength & flexibility, ‘tlc pilates’ has the class options for you.

Make Pilates your new ‘happy hour’ and tlc pilates your new ‘local’.

Head back to our New Clients Page and get started today! I can’t wait to see you in the studio.

Yours in Movement

Tamara🌴

Owner/Instructor @ tlc pilates studio

 

By |2022-10-23T14:23:07+10:00December 31st, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on everything you need to know about starting Pilates with tlc pilates

find your tribe

Sometimes we let misconceptions or assumptions prevent us from trying something new.

Well, I’m here to support your wellness journey and clear up some things for you about Pilates and how tlc pilates can help you find enjoyment in movement in your busy life.

This is me, up-close and personal! After all, you’ll want to enjoy the company of the Instructor you choose to share your Pilates journey with.

  • “I hate going to the gym with all the buff and sweaty gym junkies”

Well, the gym isn’t everybody’s taste and in my studio I can guarantee there will never be more than 2/3 other people in your class so no big groups to worry about.

In fact, sometimes you’ll have me all to yourself! We work with slow flowing precise movements, eliminating ‘beetroot face’.
PS Surprisingly I’ve never stepped foot in a gym in my life, so I hear you with this one!! (plus I’m a ‘beetroot face’ sufferer)

  • “Oh she’s a Pilates Instructor, she does Pilates all day, no wonder she’s strong – I can’t workout with her!”

I, like all of you, work full-time and run a busy household and find it hard to fit in daily movement.

In my spare time I teach my lovely clients and mostly this means I am supervising, not participating.

I choose to fit in movement, however that happens, by scheduling in my diary, just like any other appointment. This one is pretty simple to me, you either choose to make it work, or don’t. 

I absolutely love mixing it up with all types of Pilates for my self-practice and try to do a short Mat series a couple of times a week before work, a weekly Studio session under the guidance of another Pilates Instructor to work on my personal imbalances and every couple of weeks, a Group Reformer Session just for fun and an amped up Pilates workout!

I do enjoy mixing up Pilates with walking and/or jogging around the hills of Mountain Creek/Buderim area. Even better, when I can fit in a walk along Mooloolaba Beach – my fave place to be!

PS I love chocolate, wine & dinner w friends just as much as the next person, so I face the same weight challenges as much as anyone else too!

I am completely about all things in moderation and balancing out movement with food choices and support having a healthy mind to go along with that healthy bod. 

  • “I can’t find a class before or after work”

Not a problem at my studio, my entire timetable is based around the working day because I too was in that predicament when trying to find class options. My session times aim to create the most time-efficient options, allowing you to come straight from work or go straight to work. No early starts or late finishes so we can all get home to our families and enjoy that precious time together. 

  • “Oh its not a workout, its just like yoga!”

This one I challenge you to come try for yourself, I can prove otherwise! Of course, if you have an injury then Pilates can be adapted to allow you to continue to exercise whilst you recover and help strengthen that area of concern in a gentle and safe way! 

  • “I just want to try a class first”

Perfect, glad you asked. I offer a Beginners Introductory Trial Class, once a month after work at a reduced cost so you can learn the essentials before joining our other classes.

See more detail about our Pilates Beginner Introductory Class here https://tlcpilates.com.au/classes/

And book your spot to join us here https://tlcpilates.com.au/book/

By |2018-04-07T00:58:45+10:00April 7th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on find your tribe

what’s in for me?

You’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about Pilates and who can benefit?

Well, in short people of all ages and fitness levels can participate in Pilates Classes. It’s an exercise system that’s effective for all types of goals; physical conditioning, rehabilitation from injury or injury prevention in athletes.

Benefits include;

  • improved posture
  • core stability and strength
  • increased muscle tone
  • increased muscle balance
  • joint mobility
  • joint stability
  • improved range-of-movement
  • improved flexibility, balance and coordination
  • increased body awareness

Pilates develops core control and dynamic stability through flowing, controlled movements. By moving with intention and awareness, the focus is placed on breathing, alignment of the body and precision within the exercise sequences. Learning to move with this awareness translates into the movement we use in our daily lives, such as getting up from seated, lifting objects and opening cupboards.

 

By |2018-03-11T05:28:34+10:00March 11th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on what’s in for me?

how pilates helped me

Like many of you, I too have spent a number of years hunched over a computer desk, too busy for lunch, too busy for a break, too busy to even leave my desk! It wasn’t until the last couple of years that this unhealthy habit caught up with me….in a big way!

My posture had become so bad it was causing neck and shoulder tension, which in turn led to chronic headaches. Daily headaches that were unbearable and so painful I often ended up in bed – my colleagues and family worried about the cause.

Discussing this with my Physio and Pilates instructor led to tailoring my Pilates program to strengthen specific muscles in my shoulders and back. It took a good 6 months to retrain my body but the headaches eventually lessened. Now they only appear once in a while; when I know I’ve not been taking regular breaks from the computer….

This is one of the major reasons I believe in the power of Pilates so much – it helped me get my life back, a life free from pain. If I can help others achieve the same, I’ll be one happy girl xx T

By |2020-02-03T03:37:04+10:00February 24th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on how pilates helped me

managing your motivation

We all have those times where we lose motivation and I’m the first to admit it happens to me too. I love Pilates and keeping fit but since Christmas and the finalisation of a MASSIVE year it has seemed harder than usual.

How we react to this is what counts. My self-talk this week has consisted of a lot of ‘Just Do It’ and I know how much more energy I will have as a result. So I’ve managed daily home Pilates practice & a lunch hour walk today with this inspiring outlook. And I feel great!!

So, don’t think you’re alone with this, all it takes is to reset that habit, so go on, you can do it- just do it!!

By |2018-02-24T02:10:38+10:00February 24th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on managing your motivation

today is the day

| TODAY IS THE DAY |
tlc pilates is ready to be out there!
My friends and family know me as Tamara Carter – Sunshine Coast Local | Nature Lover | Pilates Nerd
As many of you know, Pilates, and opening my own Studio has been a passion of mine for many years.

I’m looking forward to sharing how Pilates can help your body and your mind to feel good!

By |2018-02-24T02:09:32+10:00February 24th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on today is the day

the real tlc

| JUST WHO IS THIS TLC YOU SAY |

So let me introduce you to the real tlc and what it stands for!

Interestingly tlc happens to be my initials, thanks to my husband. The play on words happens to work well and that’s where it really starts.

Every one of us deserves to live a happy and healthy life and part of that is appreciating the fact that we need to give ourselves a little bit of tender loving care in order to achieve that.

Part of that tlc is looking after our health, both of our mind and body. Pilates is the best way I have ever experienced to achieve a toned body (tone), with long lean muscle (lengthen) and a feeling of stillness and calm in our hectic lifestyle (control).

Pilates for me has been an absolute savior in fighting the growing problem of the office desk worker. Our bodies just aren’t designed to be in that type of position for that length of time. Chronic migraines and neck pain now a rare occurrence instead of the norm.

Finding a way to move that is pain-free and can improve neck, shoulder and back pain means we cement in ourselves a lasting habit that is also enjoyable. And looking our best, toned and lean, doesn’t hurt either 🙂

Your health is there now – keep moving – live your best life with Pilates, you deserve to feel good 💙💚

I’m so looking forward to introducing you to ‘the tlc movement’

By |2018-02-24T02:08:17+10:00February 24th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on the real tlc
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