Blog
Is it too late to start Pilates now I’m over 50?
There’s no complicated equipment, just our own body weight working through range of motion and balance moves to support our bodies as we age.
How do you practise self-care?
Google self-care and you’ll find articles and images that tell you that self-care is NOT self-ish! You’ll find analogies relating to empty cups, broken phones and even wedding cakes… I would like to say, quite simply, that self-care is giving yourself the time to do...
Pilates for back pain and yoga for mental wellbeing
The spine is made of 33 intricate bones – only 24 of which are moveable and supported mainly by a complicated muscular structure. Since it is such a delicate column with a massive responsibility we rely on these muscles to do the ‘heavy lifting’, and THAT’S why we get back pain – weakened muscles and tight tendons…
Why did I name my yoga and Pilates business, Ad Astra?
Although the phrase Ad Astra indicates travelling and yoga asks us to be present and grounded, I connect it with ‘om’, the sound of our universe and how both those passions make me feel – full of wonder.
Know your blood pressure and how yoga can help bring it down
You might guess that yoga is good for lowering blood pressure, as when you practise yoga, you work with your breath and conduct slow, flowing movements with the body. This, however is not the only reason yoga, and in fact Pilates are both so good at reducing your blood pressure… It’s less about your mental state and more about the physical state…
Manapause – Do men go through ‘the change’ too?
The best way to counter Manapause is to manage your lifestyle choices. Get outside, consume some fresh air and exercise instead of beer, find a club or class where you can have fun with your friends… It’s all about stress management and getting healthy sleep
Why should men do Pilates?
Poor posture is a common issue for many men due to factors such as desk jobs, heavy lifting, or excessive sitting – even sitting with phones or wallets in your back pockets can affect alignment! Pilates promotes proper alignment and postural awareness, helping to correct imbalances and improve posture. This alleviates discomfort, reduces the risk of chronic pain, and enhances overall body symmetry.
What is a sound bath and why is it so great?!
The aim is to bring about a state of deep relaxation which you can draw upon for rejuvenating the soul and spirit, improving sleep and lowering anxiety.
Eating for Your Cycle
In basic terms, the female body responds well to stress during the first half of her cycle, so you can max out on your training – HIIT sessions, big weights, long cardio – all good, as long as you fuel yourself correctly. In the second half of your cycle, your body gets very sensitive to cortisol (the stress hormone that makes your body cling onto fat), so doing shorter gentle sessions, medium weights, yoga and walking is more beneficial.
What’s the difference between yoga and Pilates?
I feel in my soul that Yoga is just ‘more’, but I do love them both. And only you can make your mind up which is your favourite. But the one similarity I do know is that you’ll feel better with them both in your life!