The Pilates Method

The eight principles of the Pilates Method are: Breathing Centering Flowing movement Concentration Relaxation Coordination Alignment Stamina The Pilates method provides all of the above and much more!

The Gyrotonic® Expansion System

The Gyrotonic® Expansion System evolved out of injuries, says Juliu Horvath, the creator of the system, during his dancing career. He also humbly says that the method created itself. It was whilst he was in New York working for the New York Opera as a dancer in the 1970s that he suffered several injuries. He creatively found new ways to prepare his body for the evening performance and as time went on the method developed out of necessity and intense study and self-examination. He describes it thus: this methodology allows users to stretch and strengthen muscles, while simultaneously stimulating and strengthening connective tissues in and around the joints of the body. These exercises are synchronized with corresponding breathing patterns, thus enhancing aerobic and cardiovascular stimulation and promoting neuro-muscular rejuvenation. Gyrotonic® exercises offer complete freedom of movement. Exercises are performed on the Professional Pulley Tower, and the system is fully adjustable and can meet the needs of many people with varying body types and levels of strength. The even and constant resistance in the handle unit and pulley tower, (through the triple reduction in the pulleys), completely eliminates the jarring that takes place at the beginning and end of exercises performed on conventional exercise equipment, when many injuries occur. The circular, spiraling and undulating movements that characterise the Gyrotonic® Expansion System help to increase the functional capacity of the spine, contributing to a spherical and three-dimensional awareness, resulting in increased equilibrium. Gyrotonic & Juliu Horvath on Youtube

Reiki Healing

Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy, an energy which is all around us. Natural Healing Reiki is the name given to a system of natural healing which evolved in Japan from the experience and dedication of Dr Mikao Usui (d. 1926). Fired by a burning question, Dr Usui was inspired to develop this healing system from ancient teachings after many years of study, research and meditation. He spent the rest of his life practising and teaching Reiki. Today Reiki continues to be taught by Reiki Masters who have trained in the tradition passed down from Master to student. There is no belief system attached to Reiki so anyone can receive or learn to give a Reiki treatment, the only prerequisite is the desire to be healed. A Reiki Treatment The method of receiving a Reiki treatment from a practitioner is a very simple process. The recipient simply lies on a couch and relaxes. If they are unable to lie down the treatment can be given in a sitting position, the main thing is for the recipient to be as comfortable as possible. There is no need to remove any clothing as Reiki will pass through anything, even plaster casts. The practitioner gently places their hands non-intrusively in a sequence of positions which cover the whole body. The whole person is treated rather than specific symptoms. A full treatment usually takes 1 to 1½ hours with each position held for several minutes.