I don’t come from the conventional dance background that often leads people to Pilates, although I have always loved dance and Irish dancing was a big part of my childhood. For me, Pilates has always been the method that keeps my body strong and able to do all the other things I enjoy in life. After years of experiencing just how effective my own practice was, I wanted to understand the method more deeply and I eventually trained as a teacher so that I could share something that had become such an important part of my own life. As a Mum, I’ve also come to appreciate how valuable it is to have a form of movement that helps me to stay strong and capable.

Pilates for me is about connections; the connection between our brains and our bodies as we learn new and better ways to move, and the connection between client and instructor. This is why Pilates with Felicity offers private sessions: I can focus entirely on the person in front of me, observing how they move and adapting the work to help them develop strength, balance, control and confidence in their movement. I *love* the magical ah-ha moments when a client finds a new way to move.

Classical Pilates is the original system developed by Joseph Pilates, who called his method Contrology. It is built around a specific repertoire of exercises, principles and apparatus, with the aim of developing the body as an integrated whole (no zoning out in these classes!).

The word “Classical” refers to maintaining the integrity of Joseph Pilates’ original system. Other styles have evolved in different directions; “Reformer Pilates”, for example, describes exercises performed on the Reformer, an apparatus designed by Pilates, but doesn’t necessarily follow his original repertoire. A Reformer-only practice represents just one part of what the complete Pilates system can offer.

One thing that is particularly important to me is the lineage of my training. I am a comprehensively qualified third-generation teacher, and through my instructors I can trace my lineage back to two of Joseph Pilates’ first-generation students. My own practice is also fundamental to my teaching, and I continue to take workshops and classes with highly respected teachers representing all lineages within the Pilates community.

Ultimately, though, I don’t want to get too caught up in labels. I would much rather someone come, do the work consistently and experience how their body feels. That is the best test of Pilates for me.

Yes, it really is – unless your doctor has told you otherwise, of course. Pilates meets you where you are in your movement journey, whether you’re completely new to exercise, returning after a break, or already very active. We can all benefit from better posture, greater body awareness, a stronger and more supportive core, and improved mobility – and that includes developing strength and control within that mobility for the bendier among us!

For me, Pilates is about understanding how you move now, and helping you build from there. It’s also a wonderful form of movement for women at different stages of life. It is low-impact and non-competitive (but definitely gives us a competitive edge!) and supports you whether you’re rebuilding strength after pregnancy, looking to stay strong and mobile as you move through midlife, or simply wanting to feel more capable and confident in your body.

I don’t think there is a single answer to this, because the benefits of Pilates are different for everyone. Some people notice changes in how they feel after only a few sessions, perhaps greater awareness of their posture, more ease in their movement, or simply a feeling of having worked their body in a way that feels good. Other changes, particularly strength, coordination and mobility, develop progressively with consistent practice.

We are so often looking for results that we can see, and find it harder to pause and notice the results that we can feel. For me, those changes are just as important. Pilates is about building a relationship with your body, I call it “the conversation”, and that develops over time.

I know from my own experience that Pilates can make a difference from the very first session. For me, it has been something I could return to through very different periods of my life- sometimes to build strength, sometimes simply to keep moving, and sometimes because the familiarity of the practice itself was valuable.

My advice is to give it a little time, practice consistently, and pay attention to how you feel as well as what you see.

Ahh, I would love to welcome you to my boutique studio in Troinex! I offer private, by-appointment sessions, and you can find me through Instagram (@pilates.with.felicity) or at pilateswithfelicity.com.

If Troinex isn’t convenient, there are some other excellent English-speaking Classical Pilates teachers in Geneva. Pilates with Sara (pilateswithsara.ch) is one I can personally recommend, and Melania McLaughlin is another exceptional teacher. Melania teaches at a number of studios, including Red and Red in Plainpalais (mmm Pilates and coffee) and the gorgeous Pilates Nations in Nations, where I’m also delighted to be joining the teaching team.

If you’re looking for Classical Pilates, I’d also suggest asking about an instructor’s training and lineage as it’s a useful way of understanding the methodology they teach. That said, finding a teacher whose approach resonates with you, and who you can practice with consistently, is what matters most.