Pilates on Fridays at East Oxford Community Centre - a new group starting in September. Your first class is free!

Join a friendly weekly Pilates class in East Oxford - beginners welcome!

Pilates is great for:

- Building strength and flexibility

- Overcoming injury and long-term back pain

- Staying active as you get older

- Complementing more intensive forms of exercise.

Drop in classes for this coming autumn term are £14 and your first class is free. Reserve your place via the Eventbrite link or express interest below.

Express your interest in joining via this link

Teacher: Bea Shelley

I have 10 years experience teaching yoga and Pilates to beginner and mixed ability groups. Completing my initial training with BodyControl Pilates, I have since worked with a physiotherapy research team in Oxford to trial a back pain recovery programme. I have particular expertise in supporting clients with back pain and enjoy giving people confidence to gently explore movement, challenge themselves and keep active.

What does Pilates involve?

Pilates exercises are similar to some yoga and some physiotherapy, and involve standing, sitting, lying down on your back, front and side, and hand and knees positions. Often in a Pilates class, I will ask you to move one part of your body, whilst keeping another part still. Movements are subtle but deceptively challenging!

Moving with control is key and this is what builds up core strength and body awareness. It's also what makes Pilates generally good for a wide-range of people, including those who are overcoming injury.

As you become more advanced in your Pilates practice, I will encourage you to do the exercises with greater fluidity. Fundamentally, Pilates involves progressively challenging exercises that develop your strength and flexibility, freeing you up to move more easily and gracefully in your daily life :)

What to wear and what to bring

Clothing: Pilates exercises are gentle and subtle so you're unlikely to break into a big sweat! But come wearing something you can move in.

What to bring: a yoga mat (or comfortable carpet) for lying down exercises, and a small cushion or towel. Any other equipment we use will be provided.

Tuition available

Mixed ability (In-person class on Friday mornings) In each class there are always options with the exercises - eg if you want more or less challenging depending on how you're feeling.

Beginner (In-person class on Friday mornings)

Foundation (pre-recorded online course suitable for complete beginners) Please email me for details.

Healthy Backs course (get in touch to find out when the next Healthy Backs course is starting)

1:1 classes. Contact me via email if you are interested in a 1:1 class.

Description supplied by the event organiser.