Bee Faulkner Pilates
Classes run during school term-time, and occasionally during school holidays; To book a place please contact Bee on 01756 749443 or 0777 898 0994
Tuesdays 10am (mat based)
Tuesday 1130am (seated and standing)
Friday 9am (mat based)
Friday 10.30am (mat based)
A lover of mountaineering, wild swimming and cycle touring, I discovered Pilates after my second child was born and I found myself at the Doctors complaining of a bad back and sore feet. I was sent to a “Back2Fitness” course at Skipton hospital, where I was taught Modern Pilates exercises, and was advised to enrol in a Pilates class and to continue with it long term.
Pilates came as a revelation to me. My back became strong and pain-free, and I was delighted to find that it helped my running and swimming. My posture is improving too – these days I try to walk tall rather than my former slouching. I find the coordination of breathing with the Pilates exercises extremely grounding and relaxing, and helpful with mindfulness and with sleeping.
After attending Pilates classes first in Gargrave, then Grassington and Embsay for several years, I was glad when classes re-started in Gargrave, only to find four weeks later that they were no longer to run. “You seem to know a lot about Pilates, why don’t you take us?”, one of the other participants suggested.
I have been teaching Pilates ever since, initially voluntarily, and now professionally since completing my CYQ Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates (QCF). I trained in “Modern Pilates” under Cherry Baker, and have since gained a Level 3 award in “Adapting Exercise for independently active older people”.
Pilates exercises help our deep “scaffolding” postural muscles, which then give us more stabilised bodies. In the classes, we challenge our balance, sometimes with large stability balls or foam rollers. We use exercise bands and bodyweight exercises for strength and bone density, the exercises also help with flexibility.A portion of each class is spent doing standing exercises, directly transferable to everyday life. The mat work classes also incorporate exercises on the floor-on all fours and lying down. A “seated and standing” class is available as an alternative.
I enjoy applying to Pilates the principles I learnt during my science degrees, and training in research and teaching. I have a long term interest in nutrition and how it affects our bones, cartilage, skin and mood. And I appreciate exploring mind-body-breath-spirit interconnections.
I see Pilates as incredibly useful for all of us who have a body: a great way for empowering people to maintain their independence and enhance their quality of life.