Everyone comes to Pilates with a different starting point. You may be completely new to Pilates, already experienced, returning after injury or treatment, or looking for Pilates to complement other exercise or sport.
Our Introduction options give us time to get to know you, understand what you want from Pilates and introduce you to how we teach before you move into regular classes.
Not sure which Introduction is right for you? Get in touch and we’ll help you choose.
The purpose of this session is to understand where you are now and where the Pilates method can best support you.
We’ll talk about your health and movement history, any injuries or concerns, what you currently do and what you’d like to get back to, maintain or improve.
We’ll also look at how you move and introduce some of the Pilates principles and exercises you’ll encounter with us. This gives us time to understand your starting point, explore useful cues and adaptations, and consider the most appropriate way for you to begin.
There are four ways to begin, depending on how you’d like to experience Pilates with us. If you’re unsure, the Complete Introduction gives you the opportunity to experience both Mat and Studio Pilates before deciding how you’d like to continue.
For those who know they’d like to begin with Mat Pilates.
Experience our group Mat classes and the use of small Pilates equipment, with exercises adapted and progressed according to your experience.
For those who know they’d like to begin in The Garden Studio.
Experience small-group Studio Pilates using the Reformer and other Pilates apparatus, with exercises adapted and progressed for you within the group.
For those who’d like to experience both Mat and Studio Pilates — or aren’t yet sure which they’ll prefer.
It’s also a good option if you’re considering Pilates more than once a week and would like to experience how Mat and apparatus-based Pilates work together.
For those who would benefit from more individual time, are moving on from treatment or rehabilitation, have more complex movement needs, or simply prefer to begin with one-to-ones.
Your sessions give us more time to work around your individual starting point and consider the most appropriate next step.
Pilates is a comprehensive movement system, with the Mat and apparatus designed to complement one another.
The Reformer is often assumed to be the more advanced option, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Its springs can support and assist movement as well as add resistance and challenge, making it useful at many different stages of your Pilates journey.
The Studio apparatus can also give you valuable feedback, helping you feel and understand a movement differently. That understanding can then be taken onto the Mat, where you work with less external support and learn to organise and control the movement for yourself.
Likewise, the strength, control and body awareness developed through Mat Pilates can change what you’re able to achieve on the apparatus.
It’s not really a question of Mat or Reformer. They offer different ways of experiencing the Pilates method — and each can make you better at the other.
This is why we recommend our Complete Introduction if you’re open to experiencing both.
Rather than asking you to choose Mat or Studio before you really know what each offers, you’ll experience both and begin to understand how they can work together.
You may ultimately prefer one, or find that a combination of Mat and Studio gives you the variety and progression you’re looking for. Your Introduction is about discovering what works best for you.
Join a regular small-group Studio class, where you’ll usually work with the same members each week and progress together.
Combine Mat and Studio Pilates to experience different aspects of the method and add variety to your practice.
