About Applied Therapy
Soft Tissue Therapist (Level 5)
Sports Massage
Pilates - Mat and small equipment based classes
Small classes and 1-1 sessions
Specialise in helping horse riders
Available for clinics and camps
Applied Therapy Description
Why Pilates?
Pilates is a system of exercise which focuses on strengthening the body evenly. Using strength exercises focused on our core we aim to improve and support general fitness and well being.
Our bodies become accustomed to our lifestyles. The sports we play, the work we do, the time we spend in the car and any previous injuries will impact on our posture and well being. During Pilates we endeavour to correct the bad habits our bodies may have adopted through practicing stretching and strength exercises using correct Alignment, Breathing and Core Activation.
With practice and correct execution of Pilates there are wide range of benefits to enjoy including improved:
- Core strength & stability
- Joint mobility
- Balance
- Posture
- Muscle tone
- Stress relief
- Flexibility
- Body awareness
- Reduce tension
Pilates develops whole body strength and can help to reduce risk of injury by re-educating the brain to recruit the muscles we want to recruit in the correct order. Pilates is for everyone as the exercises can be adapted according to each individual's needs.
Pilates was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates, who believed mental and physical health were closely connected. His method was influenced by western forms of exercise, including gymnastics, boxing and Greco-Roman wrestling. Pilates immigrated to the US in the 1920s and opened a studio in New York, where he taught his method – which he called contrology – for several decades.
Why Equilates?
We treat our horses like the athletes they are, ensuring we give them rest days, hack them out, get the Physio out, ask the feed companies what we should be feeding them and use a saddle fitter. We also school them with a process - working them to achieve forwardness, straightness, suppleness and cadence to name just a few. BUT so often we forget about ourselves and how we are in ourselves - both physically and mentally. If you climb on board after 8 hours in the office or 5 hours in the car your horse is likely to feel the tension and your likely to take a bit longer to loosen up. We as riders are generally too quick at blaming the horse.
If we are not symmetrical when we ride this will have a direct impact on our horse and his /her way of going. Using Pilates exercises accompanied by carefully chosen stretches we can help to strengthen our core to gain a more independent seat, increase joint mobility and release any unwanted muscle tension. From both matwork exercises and also using the stability ball we can address any rider imbalance issues.