Give the gift of Pilates to friends and family with North West Pilates Gift Vouchers. They can be redeemed for a class pass or for privates and person

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Pilates Gift Vouchers - Christmas gift Vouchers.

Give the gift of Pilates to friends and family with North West Pilates Gift Vouchers. They can be redeemed for a class pass or for privates and personal training. Know someone who is wanting to get in shape but not sure where to start? Is a family member suffering from back pain who could be treated by our physiotherapist and wellness team? What about convincing a friend to join our fantastic pilates and fitness program along with you?



A perfect christmas or birthday gift that will produce results for the recipient!



You can now purchase gift vouchers of £50 or £100 online. Once in this new window click on the tab at the top right hand corner that says ONLINE STORE and click the menu that says GIFT CARDS/CREDIT. You will get a drop down menu of the value of gift card you would like to purchase. Follow the steps from here. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ring us on 01744-751115 or come visit us so that our reception team can help you with your enquiries.

Jane Makes Liverpool Even Hotter

North West Pilates Instructor Jane Grogan is the first Pilates Instructor to introduce HOT PILATES to Merseyside.Jane is also teaching at the newly opened Hot studio in Walton,Liverpool “Yoga Nation”.Hot Pilates is different from Pilates as its taught in a heated studio.Love it or hate it,its here to stay and has a celebrity following in the USA .You cant judge a HOT PILATES class till you have tried it. Jane also teaches at our studio on a Thursday evening,to book Jane click here



Jane hails from a dance and theatrical background, having performed professionally both as a dancer and a choreographer for a number of Pantomimes, Music Videos and Shows. She now runs her own PR Company as well as being a Pilates and Zumba instructor.

She always had a major interest in sport and fitness and found both Pilates and Yoga to be excellent forms of exercise which tied in well with her dancing. She decided to take up Pilates/Yoga lessons 6 years ago and has continued with them ever since. She embarked on STOTTPILATES in order to train as a studio instructor. She now teaches group mat classes at local gyms and private one on one session.

Jane likes to promote fun, fitness and fabulousness through her classes, and rumour has it Jane is involved in the new reality TV series “Desperate scouse wives”


Book Jane now. - 4 Private 60 minute sessions £140 Or a single session £40


Jane’s Qualifications

* November 2010, STOTTPILATES Intensive Mat Plus Course, YMCA, Central London.
* November 2010, November 2010 Zumba. Maidstone,Kent.

Yoga may work better for lower back pain than conventional treatments

Yoga May Work Better for Lower Back Pain than Conventional Treatments- Doing yoga is a more effective way for people with lower back pain to become more mobile than the treatments currently offered by GPs, according to new research.

“Patients with lower back pain who did yoga showed bigger improvements in their ability to everyday physical tasks”. by Nik Fleming,theguardian.co.uk Monday 31st October

Yoga sessions used in the study were designed to be safe and beneficial for people with lower back pain.

Doing yoga is a more effective way for people with lower back pain to become more mobile than the treatments currently offered by GPs, according to new research.



The study found that back pain sufferers recorded greater improvements in everyday physical tasks such as walking, bending down and getting dressed if they did weekly yoga sessions.

Participants who had practised yoga reported enhanced function compared with those receiving standard care, even nine months after the yoga classes had finished.

Previous, smaller studies have suggested yoga could be beneficial to back pain sufferers. However, these have often involved just one teacher and have not included long-term follow-up.

Back pain is estimated to affect 80% of adults at some point in their lives, and one in five people visits their GP in any given year because of it.

The condition, defined as chronic if it lasts longer than six weeks, is the second most common cause of long-term disability after arthritis and second only to stress as a cause of absence from work. It costs the NHS around £1bn per year and the annual cost to the economy has been estimated at £20bn.

Existing treatment options include painkillers, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, exercise classes and cognitive behavioural therapy.

“In the past when you had back pain, you were told to lie down until it passed,” said Prof David Torgerson, director of the York Trial Unit at the University of York, who led the study.

“These days the main advice is to keep your back active. It seems yoga has more beneficial effects than usual care including other forms of exercise, although we have not carried out a direct comparison.

“We are still carrying out the economic analysis but it is likely yoga could reduce the costs of back pain both for patients and for the NHS.”

Twenty experienced yoga teachers from the British Wheel of Yoga and Iyengar Yoga were trained to deliver a beginner level course of 12 yoga sessions specially designed to be safe and beneficial to those with lower back pain.

A group of 156 patients with chronic lower back pain were assigned to have the 75-minute yoga classes in north and west London, Manchester, York and Truro, in addition to normal GP care, while a control group of 157 just saw their GPs.

Participants filled in a 24-point questionnaire on whether their condition prevented them from doing everyday tasks. Lower scores equated to better function.

Those who did the yoga scored on average 2.17 points lower than those who did not. Three and nine months later, their scores were still 1.48 and 1.57 points lower respectively.

Participants also reported lower overall pain levels on average. However, this effect did not reach statistical significance. Around 60% of those in the yoga group continued with their practice after the classes.

The study is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.



Rates of reported cases of back pain have doubled in the past 40 years in England, a trend seen in other Western countries. Some believe this is a result of higher levels of obesity, stress and depression, while others suggest people are more willing to report the condition.

When the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence - which draws up guidelines on the best treatments - last reviewed treatments for lower back pain in May 2009, it ruled that exercise, spinal manipulation and acupuncture were cost-effective treatments.



“Yoga is one of a number of treatments that have now been shown to be effective for back pain,” said Martin Underwood, professor of primary care research at Warwick Medical School.

“The study shows it having a small to moderate average effect for patients, meaning there will be some people who experience little or no effect and other people for whom it has substantial benefit. Unfortunately we don’t yet know which patients respond to which treatments.”

The study is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.



Rates of reported cases of back pain have doubled in the past 40 years in England, a trend seen in other Western countries. Some believe this is a result of higher levels of obesity, stress and depression, while others suggest people are more willing to report the condition.

When the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence - which draws up guidelines on the best treatments - last reviewed treatments for lower back pain in May 2009, it ruled that exercise, spinal manipulation and acupuncture were cost-effective treatments.

“Yoga is one of a number of treatments that have now been shown to be effective for back pain,” said Martin Underwood, professor of primary care research at Warwick Medical School.

“The study shows it having a small to moderate average effect for patients, meaning there will be some people who experience little or no effect and other people for whom it has substantial benefit. Unfortunately we don’t yet know which patients respond to which treatments.”

Marine Paul Thornly Makes Career Change to Pilates Instructor

Paul will be hosting classes at our studio in St.Helens on Tuesday 8th November. His schedule is below so why not book on line and see what he has to offer.

Tuesday 8th November with Paul Thornly

5.30-6.30pm-Level 1 Reformer /Back Care Clients

6.30-7.30pm-Level 1 Reformer

7.30-8.30pm-Level 2 Reformer Sold out

8.30-9.30pm-Beginners /Level 1 Reformer

Royal Marine Paul Thornly made the massive move from a Marine to an Instructor Trainer with STOTT PILATES. Five years ago, an opportunity arose for him to have a career change which he grabbed with both hands and over that period has been gaining the knowledge and experience that has allowed him to offer the very best treatment solutions for his clientele, from the general public to his elite sporting clients

He is one of only thirty qualified Advanced Neuromuscular Therapists in Ireland, after receiving his training from Leon Chaitow ND DO of the University of Westminster and Judith Delaney, Director of American Neuromuscular Therapy Florida. He is also one of three fully certified STOTT PILATES Instructors in the country, after completing his training at the STOTT PILATES headquarters in Toronto, Canada.

These skills have given him a real advantage over the more traditional methods of treating chronic and acute pain, whether occupational or sports related, particularly in the injury prevention portion of my treatments. Here he brings a real passion for educating his clientele on how to avoid progressive poor posture and incorrect bio-mechanical movement patterns in order to prevent painful symptoms arising in the first instance, as well addressing the rehabilitation phase of their treatments.

“I love my job with passion as it allows me to improve the posture, the mobility, the comfort and the quality of life of my patients…”

Paul will be hosting classes at our studio in St.Helens on Tuesday 8th November. His schedule is below so why not book on line and see what he has to offer.

Tuesday 8th November with Paul Thornly

5.30-6.30pm-Level 1 Reformer /Back care Clients

6.30-7.30pm-Level 1 Reformer

7.30-8.30pm-Level 2 Reformer Sold out

8.30-9.30pm-Beginners /Level 1 Reformer

Check in on Foursquare, Check in on Facebook or Book on the go.

Nordic Walking Visits Anthony Gomley Statues

Nordic Walking Visits Anthony Gomley Statues

Nordic Walking Visits Anthony Gomley Statues

Sunday 23rd October, 10:00am - 12:00am Crosby Lakeside Adventure Center

Cost £6 (Including pole hire)

£3 (Bring your own poles)

Book Now



Schedule:



10:00am : Meet at Carpark, Set poles up & Warm up

10:30am : Proceed to sand dunes practicing technique and drills

11:15am : Nordic walking on the beach (barefoot option)

11:45am : Nordic walk back to Carpark

(Total Duration: 2hrs)



Click Here for directions



Limited Spaces subject to pole availability

Nordic walking is an exciting new outdoor walking technique using specially designed walking poles.

It is one of the fastest growing recreational fitness sports in the world.



Come and try it. Book a Nordic Walking club training session with us where you can learn the first four stages which will get you safely and comfortably walking with the poles. Nordic walking club sessions last two hours and the price of £6 per person includes hire of the Gabel Nordic Walking poles.

Call 01744-751115 for details of when and where the next session will be.



For the general exerciser, Nordic Walking burns on average 20% more calories than normal walking at the same speed, plus most people find it makes walking more comfortable*



More calories burnt, for less effort

* Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 73 (3), 296-300. September 2002



Originating from summer training for cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking works your upper and lower body at the same time. It strengthens the back, legs and arms, and reduces neck and shoulder tension - all this while improving the health of your heart and lungs.

You can gain all these health benefits, and more, while Nordic Walking with your friends.

Exercise intensity is determined by upper body effort so people of differing fitness levels can walk and talk together, while working to their own level with Nordic Walking.


There are three levels to Nordic Walking, how far you want to take it depends on your level of physical condition and your aims.

The different levels and individual programmes are appropriate for rehabilitation, health purposes, weight management, improving physical condition, relaxing and recovering.

Level 1 for Health

Level 2 for Fitness

Level 3 for Sports



Using Gabel Nordic Walking poles strengthens the large muscles of the back that pull down the shoulder blades, significantly reducing neck and shoulder tension. Gabel Nordic Walking poles have specially designed straps (different from normal walking poles), which allow you to release the grip as you push forward. With good Nordic Walking technique squeezing and releasing the grip through the stride strengthens the muscles of the wrist and this can reduce symptoms of RSI (repetitive stress injury).



When Nordic Walking, the increased use of the upper body reduces the load on your knees, allowing you to exercise with much more comfort than normal walking or jogging.


NORDIC WALKING - An Introduction
NORDIC WALKING - An Introduction



Nordic Walking is an ideal cross-training exercise technique and addition to your regular programme. Scientific studies of high intensity Nordic Walking** have demonstrated heart rate levels reaching 75% of maximal values while participants were still walking. Running with Exel Nordic Walking poles allows you to turn up the intensity even further.



Try Nordic Walking while wearing a heart rate monitor. The lowered rate of perceived exertion (RPE) felt with Nordic Walking means you might be surprised at just how hard your heart is working, while you are feeling relatively comfortable. This whole body muscular activity, high heart rate response and yet lowered RPE found with Nordic Walking means you can work at a higher intensity, for longer and with more ease than in many other types of training techniques - ideal cross-training.



* Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 73 (3), 296-300. September 2002
** Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 33 (5), S496. May 2001



Nordic Walking Barefoot



Leaving your footprints along a wet sandy beach is one of the purest pleasures of the summer. It also happens to be one of the best workouts. Even just a few beach runs strengthens your ankles, arches, and all other below-the-knee muscles more than running on harder surfaces. It’s so good for you that coaching legend Bob Sevene encourages his Big Sur Distance Project elite runners to run, walk, and even do “hill” repeats on sand several times a week. “Running on sand develops power throughout your lower body,” says Sevene. “It requires you to generate more force and work through a fuller range of motion, from your ankles to your hip flexors and arms.”

That extra effort pays off: Several studies have found that running on sand consumes more energy than running on asphalt—burning 1.6 times more calories per mile. There’s also much less impact force when you run on sand. The dry, soft stuff is the kindest to the legs. But it’s also much harder to run in, making 10-minute miles feel like speedwork. Because of the added difficulty, your first beach runs of the summer should be done in running shoes in the hard, wet sand next to the water.

On that harder-packed surface, the rules of road-running form apply—keep your head up and your back comfortably straight, and land midfoot. But the poor traction of soft sand forces you to run more on the balls of your feet, lean your body farther forward, and drive your knees and arms higher.







The Bare Facts

Yet, for many of us, the experience of running on the beach isn’t complete unless we lose the shoes entirely. Ken Bob Saxton, famous for running marathons sans shoes, leads barefoot group runs on Southern California’s Sunset Beach. Saxton admits there are pitfalls to running shoeless on the beach. “I’ve cut myself stepping on bamboo and also on a stingray,” he says. But running barefoot on the sand allows your feet to move through their natural range of motion—without the restrictions imposed by running shoes—which helps strengthen your feet and ankles even more.



Before you ditch the shoes at the beach, however, Saxton recommends doing some trail running (in shoes) to strengthen your ankles. Then limit your first barefoot run to just 20 minutes in the firmer wet sand to build strength in your lower legs, ankles, and feet. You can add five minutes at a time as you get used to the new surface. Veteran beach runners, who’ve built up their lower-body strength, can try the soft sand for short speed workouts.

Kate Moss Eat Your Heart Out In Berlin

Kate Moss Eat Your Heart Out In Berlin

Over the past decade, Berlin’s become a pillar of the fashion, Art, Design and music worlds, not just keeping up with, but setting new trends. A global influx of creative’s has turned it into a cauldron of cultural cool that’s often compared to New York in the ‘80’s. What draw them is Berlins legendary of tolerance, openness and experimentation infused with an edgy undercurrent that gives this eternally unfinished city its street cred.



I went to Berlin to study the new expansion system GYROKINESIS® and Yoga, The diversity and expression of the city was greatly expressed in these art forms. Kate Moss lookalike Anke Hauerstein led me through the GYROKINESIS® Pre training. Anke is a former dancer and studied in New York at the Martha Graham School Of Contemporary Dance.

What is GYROKINESIS®
A movement system that gently works the entire body opening energy pathways through rhythmic, spiraling movements. Fluid movements that feel like dance are smoothly and harmoniously connected through the use of breath, utilizing low stools and mats. All fitness levels, from novice to professional, can benefit from this system



Berlin Art Attack View my latest photos
Stencils, Paste-ups, Throw-ups, Burners, Bombings, Pieces, Murals, Installations and 3-d Graffiti are the magic words in street art, Describing styles and techniques that have little to do with vandalism, tagging and illegal scrawls. With no shortage of vacant buildings, weedy lots and artists of all stripes sometimes it seems as though all of Berlin has become a canvas. Some of the hottest names in street art have left their mark on local walls, including Banksy, Os Gemeos, Romero, Swoon, Flix. Pure Evil, Miss Van and Italian artist blu



Social Networks
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