What is Stott Pilates?

What results will I see?

Who is pilates for?

What is a class like?

Which class is for me?

What if I already exercise?

How do I practice by myself?

Where do the classes take place?

What is Pilates? *

Pilates exercises condition the whole body to achieve optimal musculo-skeletal benefit – giving you muscles that are stronger and leaner, also flexibility and endurance – without building bulk or risking injury.  With a focus on core stability (including pelvic and shoulder girdle stability), good alignment and breathing, Stott Pilates helps restore the natural curves of the spine, relieve tension, and enhance self confidence.  Created by professionals for professionals, the Stott Pilates repertoire of exercises build on the essence and principles of its originator Joseph Pilates by incorportating modern knowledge about the body.  The result: a balanced and aligned body that looks fit, feels reviatalized, and moves with ease.

The exercises create tone and strength using the resistance of your own body weight against gravity.  The mat exercises target the deep abdominal and spinal muscles to build strength in «the core», the muscles around the spine responsible for posture and normal daily strength.  The exercises also emphasise flexibility in the muscles and joints, and balance between the different muscles of the body.  Once a well kept secret among dancers (pilates was originally created as an individual physical therapy), pilates is now available for all people, from office workers and pregnant women to retirees and sports professionals.

Originally, Pilates was developed as an individual physical therapy; later, group classes made pilates available to a wider range of people.

*Text credits Stott Pilates

What results will I see?

Do pilates and benefit from a stronger, flatter stomach; longer, leaner muscles; better posture; «core» strength and injury prevention; relief from back pain; effective post-rehabilitation; improved coordination; and increased self-confidence.  Many people with a back ache start pilates upon medical advice and find pain and their susceptibility to injury dramatically reduced.  As Joseph Pilates said, «After 10 sessions, you feel the difference.  After 20 sessions, you see the difference, and after 30 sessions, you have a brand new body.» 

Who is pilates for?

For people with back problems, or reduced mobility, its focus on reinforcing the structural muscles, and its subtle progression make it particulary effective.  (If you have specific issues such as chronic back pain or arthritis, you may need to discuss with your teacher what type of class is best.)

People with a sedentary lifestyle, such as office workers and the elderly : pilates is particulary suited to them because it strengthens and mobilises key structural muscles.

Pregnant women benefit from the suppleness and strength it builds, and pilates can be continued up to the final stage of pregnancy.  After birth, it helps you regain the condition of the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.  If you have never done pilates and are more than about 12 weeks pregnant, you are best advised to start pilates after giving birth. 

What is a class like?

Our pilates sessions in Geneva take three formats: private (one to one), semi-private (2 or 3 students), and group classes.  Group classes are mat based, while private and semi-private classes also use half-Trapeze/Reformers (pilates equipment).  Classes last an hour, or 50 minutes for certain group classes.  Sessions are taught in french english or french depending on the students.

Which class is for me ?

For personalised attention and development, private classes focus on your particular needs, and are like a physical therapy for those people who are serious about their physical health, who need to address a physical issue, or who want to see quicker results.  Semi-private classes (Duo or Trio) give you most of the benefits of a private class, but with a little less individual focus.  Group classes give you less individual attention, being more like a regular exercise classes at the gym, but you still gain the unique benefits of pilates as the teacher leads you through the full range of exercises. 

What if I already exercise?

Pilates is one piece in the pie that makes up your health and fitness, all parts of which are important.  For tone, strength, posture, and injury prevention, try to do pilates twice a week with your instructor.  If you can’t touch your toes, combine your pilates with yoga or stretching.  If you are stiff in the shoulders and back, again yoga, or swimming.  To lose weight, do cardiovascular work (cycling, Nordic Walking, jogging, etc). 

How do I practice by myself?

If you can’t make a class 2 or 3 times a week, you can practice at home using a book or a DVD, and by taking note of the exercises you have done so far.  Avoid practicing exercises at home that you have not yet done with your instructor. (Find DVDs on www.stottpilates.com)

Where do the classes take place?

Central Geneva Pilates, corner arcade, 4 Boulevard James-Fazy, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland 
We are on the corner of Bd James Fazy and Rue des Terreaux du Temple

5 minutes walk from Geneva’s Cornavin train station, 3 minutes walk from Bel Air and Stand bus interchanges, and in between four public car parks – Seujet, Grenus, Alpes and Cornavin.  





Pilates Geneva Switzerland