Sláinte Pilates offers a holistic approach to the system of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates. This highly adaptable movement practice cultivates core integration, pliability, strength, healthy functional alignment, and breath awareness.

Pilates is a cumulative practice and consistency is key. We all start as beginners and everyone learns at their own pace. As your body adapts to the exercises and concepts, your work load increases in both quantity and quality: you will be able to do more exercises in the same amount of time, and you will be capable of applying the Pilates Concepts with more depth and awareness. This keeps you in a constant state of being appropriately challenged. 

Your (very) encouraging teacher sets you up in an exercise, and while you are moving, she cues your movement so you can:

-access more center/core connection and explore the concept of torso integration

-locate and implement healthy joint function

-strike a balance between muscular effort and an appropriate range of motion (for you, that day) during each exercise

Through verbal cueing, you absorb the directions you hear from your teacher. Your brain processes what you are being asked to do, then signals to the muscles and joints to produce movement. When we are verbally directed to move, we have an opportunity to clarify or “repattern” our mind-body conversation through the lens of the Pilates Concepts. We consciously move from the perspective of where you are- right in the driver’s seat. We also learn tactically with hands on feedback as well as using apparatus to challenge and assist the work.

Seeing your own movement from a reflection or screen can occasionally be a helpful tool, however having a visual agenda can sometimes be counterproductive. We tend to skip over part where we consider how we are moving, we “end gain”. This practice has a way of helping us find our way back into focus, back to the present moment. 

Many of us have musculoskeletal imbalances, postural habits, injuries, and the like. The great news is that we can safely modify the exercises to promote healing, and we also have agency over our habitual movement patterns. When facing an injury or chronic pain, your Pilates Practice adjusts to meet you right where you are. 

Sláinte (SLAHN-shah) means "health" in Gaelic, and health is multifaceted. Learning how to care for ourselves is an ongoing endeavor. Tune in often, so you can keep doing all of the things!

Ann Donohue Bicknell

Owner, Sláinte Pilates 

Credentials:  

-23 Years of Pilates Teaching Experience 

in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and The Catskills
-Alycea Ungaro's Real Pilates 600 Hour Comprehensive Certification

-Power Pilates 600 hour Comprehensive Certification

-BFA (Dance) Boston Conservatory