Pilates
Meetings: Weekly, 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday mornings. The class runs every Friday, with the exception of Bank Holidays and the instructor's personal holidays, which will be pre-notified.
The Pilates Group continues to meet every Friday via Zoom. The classes start at 10.30 and run for an hour. Whilst we do welcome new members, joining an online Pilates group is not ideal for beginners, however our instructor, Paula, does offer introductory sessions. The Group is hoping to move back to face to face classes at the Phillimore Hall in the autumn, possibly September or October latest, though this is obviously subject to U3A guidelines and the state of the pandemic in this country.
We currently have just under 20 members in the group and average about 8 to 10 per class which is ideal.
A number of members have expressed interest and have been invited to come along to the class and have not yet done so, I encourage then to do so because once we reach the magic 20, we will move to Waiting List status.
New Venue – starting as and when government legislation allows - the Pilates group will be returning to face-to-face classes at a new location - the Tabard Rugby Club in Radlett. The classes will run from 10.30 to 11.30 each Friday. The group is looking forward to welcoming back members who attended Phillimore but opted out of the Zoom classes. When we return to face-to- face we will be able to accept members with no or little previous experience of Pilates.
All those interested please get in touch – Christine 07967 509148 or via the web site message pigeon.
Study Group Leader: Christine Essex (Click the carrier pigeon to send an email).
Vacancies: Full with a small waiting list
If you want to participate then you must be a member of Radlett and District U3A. This study group is not a joint group with any other U3A.
What we do
What is Pilates? It is a system of exercises designed to improve physical strength, flexibility and posture, and to enhance mental awareness. Result: Pilates helps you feel better in yourself and makes you better equipped to enjoy life.
Paula Hancock, an excellent local Pilates teacher, leads all our classes. She is not only very knowledgeable and competent but she makes the classes a lot of fun.
Pricing
You can choose between:
1. £36 for five lessons, paid in advance i.e. £7.20 per lesson. Those five lessons must be used within a period of 8 weeks. Any unused lessons after the 8th week will be forfeited
2. £10 for a single lesson, paid on the day.
More about our Pilates class
Pilates has some similarities to yoga. Exercises are slow and controlled. It is quite hard work but you just do as much as you and your body feel comfortable with. Paula is there to direct the exercises, teach us the basic techniques, and to make sure we all do it safely. Comments overheard walking out of a class include “I feel looser / less stiff”; “I feel a bit taller”; "I did the gardening at the week-end and my back isn't aching like it used to do".
Our standard is “beginner / improver”. Newcomers to the class have ranged from absolute beginners to people who have done Pilates elsewhere before and are already reasonably proficient. A word of reassurance; if you are a beginner and want to give it a try then don't worry, you will fit right in. Paula is there to guide you and you will soon pick things up.
Both women and men are welcome. Participants should be in general good health. There will be floor exercises so please bring your own yoga mat (or a bath towel).
Why not come and join us – and feel better for it.
If you are tempted but wondering whether the Pilates class is right for you, or whether it is compatible with any pre-existing medical conditions, please feel free to discuss this beforehand with our instructor Paula Hancock using the carrier pigeon to send an email.