Pilates exercise works the body from the inside out, beginning with deep structural muscles of the diaphragm, pelvis, lower back and buttocks, and then working up and out to the muscles of the chest, shoulders, upper back and extremities.

All movement in Pilates is focused on what Olympic trainers call the "centre." This is the point between the upper half and lower half of the body between the right and left side. Joseph Pilates referred to this as the "girdle of strength."

The Pilates exercise technique is a complete fitness method and when performed regularly, positively changes bodies. It combines awareness of the spine, proper breathing and strength and flexibility training.

A unique exercise technique What also makes the Pilates exercise technique unique among similar forms of exercise is that it slims the muscles, making them more compact by developing slenderness rather than bulk. The outcome is a balanced body, which is strong and supple with a flat stomach, balanced legs and a strong back.

Its effects are more than just physical: you will feel revitalised, relaxed, confident, invigorated and more flexible through a new sense of wellbeing!

Joseph Pilates pioneered his fitness philosophy in order to overcome his own disabilities, combining elements of yoga, breath work, weight training and gymnastics to bring the body into proper alignment.

He believed that most of us have imbalanced bodies because we tend to overdevelop the stronger muscle groups, which ultimately leads to poor posture and spinal misalignment. His goal was to create and maintain a structurally fit body.



About Yoga (Marion Cassidy)

Yoga is also known as a science of purification, clearing the body of impurities such as toxins, letting the energy channels function properly.

Yoga lets the internal energy to move like wave frequencies throughout the channels in the physical structure right through to the brain.

Yoga positions work muscles you never knew you had; it also closes off the blood flow to specific areas so that when you release the position the blood flow increases to these areas which enables your body to get rid of toxins quicker. When the postures are done with the correct intention and motivation, the mind will slowly start to clear.. These subtle channels that are connected to our nervous system are directly connected to the mind. When the mind is clean, we are at peace.

When the mind is blocked or negative, we feel its effects and cannot carry the basic role all beings want which is happiness.

Through the use of correct conduct (morality), physical postures, breathing techniques our concentration is enhanced and the process of meditation can begin. We become peaceful and no disease can develop in any organs because the body and mind are balanced through the use of yoga.

Hatha Yoga

This type of yoga begins with a purification of the mind and spirit, and then progresses to the body via body postures and breath . Hatha yoga lays emphasis on asanas, pranayama and dhyana (meditation). Another important facet is that it aims at balancing different energy flows within the human body.

The Hatha Yoga postures range from the basic to the complex, from the easy ones to the very challenging. Every movement is planned and controlled. As a result, they are revitalising for both mind and body.

Hatha yoga exercises are intended to ease tense muscles, to tone the internal organs, and to improve the body flexibility. The aim of accurate yoga exercise is to improve flexibility and strength of the body.

When practiced in combination with breathing techniques, Hatha yoga postures stimulate circulation and digestion, as well as the nervous and endocrine systems of the body.

Good for: Toning, strength and flexibility and relaxation. You'll stretch more than sweat, but you'll feel great afterwards.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is designed to work on the coil of Kundalini energy stored at the base of the spine. Breathing, posture, chanting and meditation are used to stimulate this energy, which is then consciously directed up through the chakras, or energy centres, in your body.

Postures are designed to work a specific body system at a time. The discipline emphasizes several breathing techniques, including a dynamic technique called the 'fire breath'.

Good for: Relaxation and Energy.



Posture & Ball

In this class we focus on postural awareness, correct stance, core strength and flexibility. Correct posture is important for daily activities, as it is wherefrom all movement occurs. From sitting down at your desk, driving, and even walking… postural awareness proves to be increasingly important from a health and fitness point of view.

Basic core strength exercises are performed using mats and exercise balls, followed by a thorough stretching component in order to target any areas of imbalanced muscle stiffness.



Melville Kettlebell (Barry Geldenhuis)

Kettlebell workouts, although challenging, are very efficient and will tone and shape your body within the first few weeks of training. Some even see differences within the first week.

Each workout will work the whole body and target both strength and endurance. Benefits from Kettlebell training are:

• Coordination
• Flexibility
• Weight Loss
• Strength
• Endurance
• Body Awareness
• Mental Focus
• Vasbyt
• And much more....

One of the misconceptions of kettlebell training is that it is “bad for your back”. Nothing could be further from the truth. When the movements are carried out with correct form, the training will strengthen your back in line with the rest of your body. Most people don’t train their backs nearly enough, focussing on the “show” muscles during their training with free weights and cable machines.

KETTLEBELL TRAINING on the other hand will work on the whole body with more emphasis on the “go” muscles (the back, the hamstrings, the glutes). Excellent for ALL sports.

Callanetics (Laura Goss)

By isolating muscle groups and using tiny, precise (yet powerful) movements, Callanetics exercises tighten and reshape your body while increasing strength, flexibility and body alignment.

This exercise program is so effective that just one hour of Callanetics has the tightening and lifting value of 20 hours of aerobics. Because Callanetics Exercise Method involves deep muscle work, you won't experience the bouncing and jarring found in high-impact activities, such as aerobics or jogging. This means Callanetics students exercise safely and virtually injury-free. Men and women of all ages and fitness levels benefit from the classes. You will feel the difference in minutes and see dramatic results after just a few hours!

Anyone can do these exercises. Even people who consider themselves extremely uncoordinated gain control of their bodies. According to Callanetics Founder, Callan Pinckney, "Every person that has done The Callanetics Exercise Method, regardless of his or her age or condition, who has the determination to have a strong, fit, beautiful body, now has it." (callanetics.com)

Aerobic Box

Come Get Fighting Fit! Don’t choose, get a full body toning AND cardio workout in one class. Great to tone your muscles and tighten those abs while you get an Aerobic workout.



Power-step

STEP / BASIC STEP / BEGINNER STEP

A low impact, basic step class will introduce participants to an aerobic type of workout using an adjustable step or bench as focus of the workout. Easy-to-follow basic stepping & floor movements, as well as specific lower body exercises will work the major muscle groups in the leg and buttocks. Upper body conditioning is added through specific arm movements that are combined with the step actions, with the purpose of overall body conditioning and improvement of cardio respiratory fitness.

POWER STEP / ADVANCED STEP / ATHLETIC STEP

An advanced step class An intense, high-lo impact & cardiovascular workout, with a combination of exciting new step movements on the adjustable step or bench. Some combinations will taught with additional propulsions & advanced choreography to increase the intensity of the workout. Dynamic, yet challenging step movements contribute to the overall conditioning of the body and the strong arm movements are used to maximize the upper body workout.

This provides an additional challenge with regards to the cardio respiratory fitness component. Knowledge of basic step movements is required to follow & participate in this class.



Dance Variety Workout

Aerobic choreography remixed through dance and probably the most extreme dance workout ever!

Fun and fast paced, this workout shows you just how easy it is: a combination of Hip-hop and, contempo and lots of energetic moves, since this is not a dance class but a cardio workout. Expect some drama! The aim is to keep your body flexible and well toned.

Hip, Thigh and Butt

SuperCore

SuperCore training has been designed specifically for the cyclist to improve core strength for cycling. The training is done in the aerobic studio using a mat, exercise ball and body weight only. The exercises target the legs, abdominal core, upper body and arms in a cycle specific way.

The SuperCore exercises incorporate strength, stability, conditioning and flexibility routines that will improve your cycling performance on the bike almost from the first week of training. None of the training is done on bike and lasts for 50 minutes including the flexibility routine.

Aerobics Fat Burn

Aerobic work-out during which heart-rates are raised at the beat of funky music while we enjoy burning fat together!

Stretch and Tone / Body Conditioning

A lot of stretching for flexibility. This program is designed to give you that good shape you want.