Walnut Grove has been delivering both seated and Matwork Pilates classes online since April 2020 and we have a wonderful bunch of patients who participate. Most of those who tune in weekly for their online classes previously attended our fantastic new Pilates studio at Papermill Gardens – we are all so looking forward to getting back there sometime in 2021.
We use all the usual Pilates equipment such as bands, balls and rollers in the online classes but we do have to be creative. We adapt home items for use in the class; rolling pins can act as foam rollers, scarves as bands and rolled up towels can serve as balls. Everyone has worked really well and patients really support each other as they recognise the benefits of tuning in each week to work on their strengthening, stretching and posture exercises. Exercise is a powerful way to manage pain and Pilates type exercises improve strength and posture.
As has been the case for the wider community, it has taken us time to get used to online classes, but everyone has persevered with the technology, adapted their home space and continued exercising with kids, dogs and cats by their sides. Being online has enabled people throughout the country to join in with our classes. We have regular participants from Cheltenham and Wales and last summer one lady made her holiday tent a workspace as she joined us from Northumberland – now that’s dedication. Another lady, who was particularly sad about losing her Pilates class when she relocated from Portishead, is now able to join us online from her new home.
We said goodbye to 2020 with a quiz and a social cuppa and chat following one of our classes and we now embrace the new year with the hope that, as medical experts roll out the vaccine, we can get back to doing the things we love. In the meantime, we have to keep our chins up and get on with this latest lockdown. Unfortunately we have had a quite a bit of lockdown practice of late but it is important to remember that we can still be together and you can still exercise safely and effectively at home using our online Pilates programmes.
A big thank you to all those who tune in each week – it gives me a real boost to see your enthusiasm and how well you feel after a class. Physiotherapy and Pilates enrich people’s lives in so many ways so please call Walnut Grove on 01275 818303 to discuss how they can help you. The clinic remains open for healthcare at this time. With Covid screening in place we can assess what best meets your needs and offer either face to face appointments or an online consultation and online Pilates classes. The team at Walnut Grove Clinic look forward to hearing from you.
