Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What are the benefits of Pilates?
A: A regular Pilates workout can:
· improve agility
· strengthen musculature without creating bulk
· reduce stress
· strengthen the center of the body
· relieve chronic back and joint pain
· improve balance and coordination
· improve stamina
· encourage a slender waist and physique
· stimulate blood circulation and metabolism
· improve athletic performance
· train an upright anatomically sound posture
· increase self-confidence
· improve oxygen uptake
· help to prevent osteoporosis
· prevent injury through improvements in balance and coordination
Q: How big are your classes?
A: The Pilates method was not originally intended for teaching large groups. The method is most effective when cued specifically for individual bodies. Because of this we offer Privates, Semi Privates or group equipment classes with a maximum of four people. Our instructors are hands on and you will receive a great deal of personal correction and cueing.
Q: What do I wear?
A: Wear clothing that is comfortable and allows easy movement. Yoga or gym attire is appropriate. Pilates is generally done in bare feet, but can also be done with socks on if that is more comfortable. “Grippy” socks are not mandatory at our studio.
Q: What style do you teach?
A: There are a variety of ways to present the Pilates method. Our teachers have varied training backgrounds, many are teacher trainers for their programs and all offer a slightly different approach. We stay current with new approaches and are continually updating our training methods since ongoing development is very important to us. We all teach to Pilates as a system, using all the large pieces of apparatus and small props to facilitate understanding in our client’s practice. If an idea isn’t being understood in the body we will find another way using the Pilates system to generate understanding. Check out the “our people” page to get information about specific training backgrounds for each teacher, or the “studio vibe” question below for a more informal take on things. If you would like to request a specific type of class or style we will do our best to accommodate you! We can be as Classical or as contemporary as you would like.
Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: We are proud to offer a selection of types of apparatus at the studio. Everything was chosen by our teachers based on years of working with every major manufacturer and was selected for its ability to get clients connected quickly and safely. Our reformers, towers, high/electric chair and arm/baby chair are Pilates Designs manufactured equipment. You will feel a big difference if you are accustomed to Stott or Balanced Body reformers! In addition to the Pilates Designs apparatus we also use CentreLine Chairs designed by The Pilates Centre in Boulder, Colorado and our Cadillac is designed in partnership with Jay Grimes and is part of Balanced Body’s Contrology Series. The studio is also equipped with a ladder barrel, a class set of spine correctors, arc barrels, raised mats, Ped-o-Pul and all the classical small props. Come check it all out!
Q: What’s the studio vibe?
A: Every teacher at Distilled is different, we all teach from our own experience and practice. We all do the work ourselves and walk the talk. You’ll see teachers jumping into studio classes regularly. We are teaching veterans with decades of teaching and tens of thousands of hours under our belts. We aren’t slaves to the ‘gram and the social media pressures in the fitness industry, but we aren’t blind to their existence. If an brutal ab class is your goal we can deliver, but we’d probably rather introduce you to deeper layers of your core musculature and show you muscles you may not realize you even had… We mix it up based on the desires of any given class.
-Clinton’s classes are never the same and you will not get bored. His classes move fast and his cueing is quick and comprehensive. He is known for his elaborate (and sometimes ridiculous) cueing vocabulary. He also likes it when the water bottle nozzles all face the same way…
-Chelsea’s humour is charming and disarming… then she will work your (insert muscle group here) until you are quietly cursing her name two days later. Chelsea is also a teacher trainer for Balanced Body.
-Olga’s eye for detail and patience in perfecting your form will move your practice to new places. She has standards and while you’ll be well supported on the journey you will be expected to meet them! No teacher I know does more professional development than Olga and she brings a wealth of current thinking to classical ideas.
-Alison is the teacher’s teacher and will introduce whole worlds of possibility about how and why you move. Her cues can be paradigm shifts that will alter the way you engage with movement forever. Alison mentors new Pilates teachers and also teaches for the SFU Dance department.
-Seb is steady and sure. Pilates runs in his family and he has an exceptional eye. He builds a slow heat in his classes that will have you shaking and sweaty by the end. He’s the youngest of us but is an absolute pro. We do sometimes hold his youth against him a little but that’s just because we are jealous…
Q: Is Pilates like Yoga?
A: No. While both approaches are considered Mind/Body Exercise they are quite different. Yoga is a series of static stretches with a different cueing of the breath than usually found in Pilates. While Pilates can be a profound physical experience there is no spiritual aspect to the work. You will not chant or meditate at Pilates class. Pilates can be a wonderful complementary form of exercise to support your Yoga practice.
In Pilates we stretch and lengthen the muscle dynamically with fewer held stretches. One of the over-arching Pilates goals is uniform development. We will endeavor to stretch what is tight, and strengthen what is weak but we will do it through the incorporation of resistance-based equipment.