Get toned, aligned and healthy with Christelle and Kasia at Joga!
Pilates (pronounced puh-lah-teez and not pie-lates) is similar to yoga, but emphasizes your body’s core: the abdomens, oblique, lower back, inner and outer thigh, butt, and so on. For this reason, Pilates develops much of what you want from an exercise, such as building strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, balance and good posture.
Pilates is named after its inventor, Joseph Pilates, a former carpenter and gymnast, who invented the exercise for injured dancers. Because of this, Pilates has a much lower chance of injury than other forms of exercise. Many of the moves were inspired by yoga or patterned after the movements of animals, such as swans, seals and big cats. Since its invention in 1930, Pilates has become popular worldwide.
At Joga, a yoga studio and Juice-A-Teria located in Cole Bay, Pilates instructors Christelle Falter and Kasia Ludwig-Siri give classes on a daily basis. We caught up with both of them to hear a bit more about themselves and the benefits of Pilates.
1. Tell us a bit about your backgrounds?
Kasia: I am a physical therapist and would describe myself as a “sports addict.” I graduated in Physical Therapy at University of Physical Education in Poland. During these studies, we tried almost all sports in the world in order to be able to understand our body and the bodies of our patients better. Pilates is one of the “tools” that I use while working with my patients. While I was living in France, I got certified in “Da Vinci body board,” which is little more intense than Pilates because of the resistant bands that you use.
Christelle: I have always been curious about the human body. After graduating from University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, I began taking Pilates to stay in shape. I quickly noticed the benefits and haven’t stopped practising it since. After backpacking for almost three years, I completed a Pilates comprehensive training programme at Equinox in Miami before moving to St. Maarten. I love helping people obtain their health goals with Pilates!
2. When and why did you start practising Pilates?
Christelle: I have practised for about five year now. My personal motivation to start Pilates was to rectify my posture and get a sleek, toned body. I hunched a lot, which a majority of people do. Pilates helps with this. It improves your postures and thus also alleviates back pain. It is a perfect full body workout, and it definitely works!
Kasia: I first tried Pilates around 12 years ago. During a karate championship I broke a ligament in my knee and I had to have surgery. To get back to doing sports, I had to strengthen my muscles. My therapist introduced me to Pilates and I fell in love with it. Pilates is graceful and gentle, but also has a lot of strengthening moves. After doing it for a while, I also started to teach it and use it at work.
3. What changes did you see in your body once you started Pilates?
Kasia: First I learned about my body, my muscles and how to control them. I strengthened my postural muscles (belly, back, gluts) and I noticed that my posture got better. I even noticed it during my runs. Because of gentle stretches and working out my back muscles, I have no pain in my back! For my knees, which are damaged, it is also a great exercise and helps prevent further injury.
4. Why is Pilates a good workout?
Christelle: Pilates improves your strength, flexibility and posture. This is because you stabilize everything from the core. You build endurance, coordination, balance and talk about correct form. With Pilates it’s about the quality not quantity. Because you concentrate on the correct form and fluid movements, it minimizes the chance of injury.
Kasia: Pilates is a good workout because you don’t have to be an athlete to do it. It for EVERYBODY, sporty zero to athletes, kids to senior citizens! It works at deep muscles and postural muscles that are so important for our posture and joints. This also prevents back pain. At the same time your heartbeat goes up, you burn calories and so your body gets nice and lean.
5. Why should people try a Pilates class or two?
Christelle: To experience the benefits! Pilates doesn’t just help you get in shape, it improves your daily life, and you will notice yourself sitting straighter and walking more gracefully. It’s all about mindful movement, which enhances your life.
Kasia: By practising Pilates on a regular basis, you will feel strong, lean and healthy. It is worth it! Give your body best gift ever – HEALTH!
Christelle: If your goal is to be healthier and in shape during 2016, Pilates is the perfect way to start!
Joga is located at 6 Welfare Drive #2B, in the building behind IBC First Caribbean Bank. Take the staircase up next to UPS and walk towards the lagoon. Joga also offers an array of yoga classes, yoga gear, mouth-watering dishes and healthy juices! You can sign up and get more information by surfing to www.jogasxm.com, sending an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or calling: +1 (721) 544-1555. Improve your body, health and the way you feel! Join a Pilates class today!
