It Contrology because it involved the control of the body, mind, and spirit. This changed everything for me. I realised that Pilates was not just about doing a few exercises, but about deeply connecting with your body and understanding how it works.
At LifestyleFirst, Thea Gudgeon is a personal trainer who specialises in Pilates and Structural Integration. She works with the precise movement repertoire of Joseph Pilates' Contrology Method, as well as the pioneering fascial bodywork of Ida P Rolf and Tom Myers. Thea's main focus is on correcting issues of structural alignment and balance.
The goal of Pilates is to create a balanced body through the development of long, strong, stable muscles that are flexible and correctly aligned. It encourages body awareness and the mental focus needed to achieve relaxation and well-being. The original exercises can be performed as Pilates intended or adapted to meet the needs of the individual. Medical and health professionals often prescribe Pilates to help correct postural imbalances and alleviate chronic pain caused by daily strain patterns.
Pilates is also beneficial for recovery from illness and injury, helping individuals return to pain-free daily living. For conditioned sports people and professional athletes, Pilates can improve sports performance by ensuring correct muscle recruitment and alignment, reducing the risk of overuse injuries. It creates a functionally aligned and structurally stable body, allowing for better quality training and improved results.
Moreover, Pilates is suitable for older clients as it helps improve balance and limit muscular degeneration. It also helps prevent joint-related illnesses. However, some people may have had a negative experience with Pilates and feel that it didn't challenge them enough or that they didn't understand it. Thea understands this frustration firsthand but encourages individuals to give Pilates another chance.
She believes that truly understanding Pilates involves deeply connecting with your body and embracing the control of body, mind, and spirit.
At LifestyleFirst, Thea Gudgeon is dedicated to empowering her clients to correct their repetitively held postural and movement patterns, and to achieve lasting change. With her expertise in Pilates and Structural Integration, she aims to create a balanced, aligned, and pain-free body for her clients. Contact LifestyleFirst today to book a session and start your journey towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.