Amanda's introduction to Pilates was through dancing; she calls it to love at first sight!
Eventually, Amanda moved from ballet studies into Pilates studies and has now been teaching Pilates for more than fifteen years.
Sometimes you just feel the desire to discover more outside you set experience, and for her teaching Pilates is the result of the exploration beyond years of dancing.
Let's find out the reason behind Amanda's passage onto Pilates.
How does Pilates benefit your body and brain?
Through these six principles: Concentration, Control, Flowing movement, Precision, Centring and Breathing.
Pilates combines the use of the six principles above. With all these Pilates principles combined in your workout, you are improving strength, flexibility, balance and coordination throughout the whole body and brain! Pilates works on aligning the spine so as to reduce pain and improve all aspects of movement and posture.
We know there are two main classifications of Pilates classes: mat classes and reformer classes. What kind of Pilates workout do you teach?
Pilates can be Mat based, which is just yourself and the mat, or equipment based, which is using various Pilates equipment. This includes the reformer bed and other equipment pieces such as the Wunda chair, Cadillac or trap table, and Ladder Barrel to name a few. I would say that mat and reformer classes are the most popular group style of Pilates classes.
At Inline Pilates Studio I teach private, semi-private (2-3people) and small group circuit style classes (3-4people). All sessions are a combination of mat and all of the studio equipment too! I love teaching this way as it exposes clients to a variety of exercises, and as a teacher, I am able to modify exercises easily to accommodate each individual's needs.
What type of equipment do you use for your classes, and what are the benefits of exercising with these machines?
I use the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel and Spine corrector, plus lots of different small equipment pieces (magic circles, Therabands, Pilates balls).
The machines and equipment are designed to support your body through movement, whilst also creating resistance for your muscles to work against. Those help to activate your muscles to improve muscular strength and endurance.
Some of the key Pilates movements involve bending and twisting your body into a variety of shapes. The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable mid-session. What kind of activewear gears do you recommend for your workouts?
I always recommend wearing comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely, nothing too baggy nor too tight or restrictive!
Wearing the right activewear can help to improve your technique?
I think wearing the correct activewear can definitely help improve technique. If you are wearing something too tight or firm it will not allow your body to move to its full ability, and by the same token, clothing or activewear which is too baggy will get in the way and disrupt the flow of movement.
We can't deny that the right activewear can give a positive boost to your mental and physical sports performance. What are your favourite sports clothes to wear for training?
Well, I have just recently discovered seamless activewear and I love it!! Seamless tights and sports bra with a t-shirt or a singlet depending on the weather are my go to items! The colour depends on my mood!!
Amanda is the Director of Inline Pilates Studio, which is nestled in a beautiful spot in Sydney on the edge of Paddington, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. The Pilates studio is fully equipped and offers professional, boutique-style Pilates with fully certified instructors.
Private, semi-private and small group circuit sessions are available, either in-studio or from the comfort of your own home.
For more information, visit www.inlinepilatesstudio.com, or you can look it up on Instagram or FB.