Comments

Ginny T

Wonderful introductory class with precise attention to every aspect of each exercise. Amit weaves in modifications for more and less challenge, all the while preparing students to advance with a strong foundation. Many thanks!

Ronald d

I like the first class! Did it now for the second time...the most difficult part for me is to keep the abdominals engaged in the movement, because i just losing awareness of them when moving.
And not always sure if I engage them in the right way (comming from a fitness background, so a crunch movement is more automatic for me).
It's in the beginning a brain overload I think and just need some more time to consume everything in. Also to learn to keep the abdominals engage for longer periods...I think i'm also clinching to hard now in most cases.

Lot's to learn here! :)

Ronald d

Would you say....that with the inhales in a exercise/movement the abdominals relax a bit a with the exhales they contract/deepen more? It naturelly happens now a bit...

Jan E

I have done this class several times this week and have really enjoyed it, thank you for the very clear instructions. However, "rolling like a ball" defeats me - my lower back feels like a plank!

Amit - yoopod .

Thanks for your lovely comment Jan :) Repeating classes a number of times until you feel you are doing them well is the BEST way fwd!!
Regarding the Rolling Like a Ball - a couple of suggestions-
Before you start the class, take a few minutes to do the Cat exercise. Work slowly to warm up but make sure you gradually tuck your tail under ("between the legs") more and more to open up the lower back and engage your deep abdominal muscles.
As you do the movement think about:
1. Lifting your pelvic floor muscles (as if you are trying not to pee...) +
2. Pulling your navel to spine +
3. Tightening a belt around your waist.
Learning how to do the three things together will result in engaging your deep core muscles - improving control and releasing tension from the lower back
I hope this helps and look fwd to hearing from you in the future
KR
Amit
https://www.yoopod.com/resource/cat-stretch-pilates-exercise

Sylvia O

Really enjoying this class, my third time doing it today. For the pelvic lift do you squeeze glutes as well as abdominals? Seems to be something I do automatically.

Amit - yoopod .

Hi Sylvia. You made me smile :) 3 times must be a record... ;)
The way I think about the Pelvic Lift (Pelvic Curl) is that I do not squeeze the glutes on purpose... but I am not worried if the glutes are active! Do make sure that you keep the feet and legs parallel to each other - about hip width apart. If you feel the knees dropping away from each other please draw them back towards the midline.
Hope this helps
Amit

Helen H

Really really enjoyed this. Instructions are very clear and, like many others have said, I’ll need to repeat this class a few times before I’m ready for the next one. But that’s ok - I’m not in a rush! Thank you Amit - it was a great first session.

Amit - yoopod .

Thank you for your lovely comment Helen :) Sounds like you are in the right frame of mind to start your Pilates journey... take it at your own pace and enjoy the process :) Amit

Robyn L

Thank you. Felt this was paced perfectly for a beginner such as myself. Really good explanations. Appreciated comments about breathing in reply to Laani P. Enjoyed the first session and am already looking forward to the next one. :-)

Amit - yoopod .

Thank you for your lovely comment Robyn :) I suggest repeating this class a number of times until you feel you can do everything pretty well and without having to look at the screen too much... and then progressing to the next class. Getting the basics right will serve you really well in the future when you start doing the "open" classes. I look fwd to hearing from you as you progress. Best, Amit

Megan G

This was a fantastic first session. Definitely feel like I have done a work out. Trying to do a class a day whilst I am off on Summer Holidays. These are a great way to start learning Pilates, brilliant explanations. THANK YOU!

Amit - yoopod .

Hi Megan. Thanks for your lovely comment :) I hope you'll manage to take a class a day during your Summer Hols and have no doubt that even if you'll take a class every other day you'll feel FANTASTIC in a few weeks!! :) Amit

Murielle F

I am doing the complete beginner pilates programme, starting 3 times a week. And I'm really enjoying it. Feeling my body as I never did. There are a lot of Pilates Classes outside, but very few are made of such a quality.. Thank You very much :-)

Amit - yoopod .

Dear Murielle. Many thanks for your lovely comment! I am very happy to hear you are enjoying the classes and feeling so much better for it! I look fwd to seeing your comments and hearing about your progress in the future. Warm wishes. Amit

Andy P

Wow that was tough going for numero uno total beginner! But great and I appreciate a challenge. Really clear and powerful. Everything seemed fast though but hey that's surely me! Thanks.

Els V

First class, think I will have to do it a couple of times more in order to grasp everything. Also like someone else here said, I get confused when trying to breathe like you say. When you say "breathe in", breathing out feels more logical to me! :) But I will keep in mind what you said here about prioritising for now.

Have to be careful though: suffering from trapezius syndrome (seeing a therapist for that) and noticed that those muscles hurt when not concentrating enough on the core and abdomen :-/

Amit - yoopod .

Welcome to yoopod Els and thanks for your lovely comment. Yes, please do be careful not to strain your Trapezius and maybe take some advice from your Physiotherapist if there are any movements you should avoid for now. You can always email me at amit@yoopod.com if you have any particular questions.

Jo H

Very good class - clear instruction and guidance. Will need to practice the breathing more times and ensure I'm not pulling on my neck but as my first intro to Pilates - it's very good. Thanks Jo

Lucy W

I'm a complete beginner to pilates and really enjoyed this class. I found the repetitions a little too fast as I was trying to get the movements and breathing right at the same time. I will therefore keep repeating this lesson until I've got the hang of it before moving on to the next one. I feel positive these classes will improve my health and wellbeing, thank you Amit.

Dagmar D

Hi Amit, What a pleasure to follow your cueing. You certainly have helped me become mindful when doing this practice. Thank you!

Erica V

Thanks Amit. Very clear instructions. I will be practicing this video this week and maybe next week too.

Irene M

Excellent thank you, the explanation is brilliant.

Jackie S

Just took this class for the first time. I am a complete beginner to Pilates and really enjoyed this class. It was easy to follow and understand. Good instructions!! Thank you

Amit - yoopod .

Hi Servanne. Apologies for not replying sooner. I do hope that meanwhile you have managed to feel better after the classes. I definitely think that your arches and tendency towards sciatica will be related to what you feel after the class. Without working with you the best I can offer is: 1) Try to avoid any movements that feel uncomfortable during the class. Listen to your body and don't push yourself to do things that hurt you later. 2) Try to see a local (fully qualified) Pilates teacher or even a good physiotherapist for an advice on what movements you might need to avoid. Please feel free to email me directly on amit@yoopod.com for more advice. Best Amit

servanne s

Hi Amit,
I have done this exercise twice now and my coccyx is hurting the day after. What am I doing wrong?
It is worth mentioning I have collapsing arches and wearing special insoles to help me with this as otherwise I would get very bad sciatica. Could this be connected? Thank you in advance for your reply.

Amit - yoopod .

Hi Vikki
YES, it is absolutely fine that your muscles shake a little while doing the exercises. I agree 100% that it is a good idea to repeat the same class until you feel that you know it really well and that your body can do it with relative ease. That is the best way to learn Pilates and it will help you progress confidently! Keep up the good work :)

Vikki H

First go at this class and it was really good :) I do tend to shake a little when engaging stomach mussels, pulling up and breathing out all at the same time, is this ok? I assume its because my stomach mussels aren't used to being used. I think I will need to practice this one a few times before doing another class. Thank you :)

Amit - yoopod .

Hi Laani. I am very happy to hear you are enjoying the classes :) I have dedicated the question of the week this week to the question of breathing and confusion in breathing... here is my "rule of thumb"... best, Amit

If you get confused with the breath pattern it could be because there is too much information to take on board which means you have to prioritize… first of all focus on the movement and make sure you follow the instructions on what to do and how to do it as best as you can. At the same time, make sure you are not holding your breath… as long as you keep breathing you will be ok… :)
When you know the exercise well enough and have the head space to take on board more information, pay attention to the suggested breath pattern so that you can reap more benefits. The suggested breath pattern and the cues about where to visualize the breath and where to “squeeze it out” from can help you move with more ease and less tension and can help you engage muscle groups that are active in the specific movement. On another level, it will help you increase your lung capacity and it will make the exercise work deeper in your body- not just at surface level, but all the way into your deepest muscles and your organs.

Laani P

Very much enjoying these classes and looking forward to more tomorrow, thank you. I feel like my breathing is wrong though, do you you have any tips or a "rule of thumb", or it simply practice makes perfect? Cheers, Laani

Rebecca c

Really enjoyed - it set me up for the day. Im taking too long with my breaths so get left behind a little, but im looking forward to perfecting it!!

Amit - yoopod .

Hi Elaine. I am SOOO happy to hear you are enjoying the classes and feeling so much better!! I am also very happy to hear that you find the explanations so clear and helpful. Keep up the good work :) Amit

Elaine G

Really enjoying my sessions, and I'm feeling so much better, and very pleased with myself . The classes I have chosen are a perfect level and the right speed for me to follow. You've set them so well, you always answer just what I'm thinking and reminding me about my breathing just what I've needed , I'm getting the hang of it now . Many thanks Elaine

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