About Liz Davis Pilates
I’ve been practising Pilates for over 25 years and qualified as a Body Control Pilates teacher in 2005. I began teaching that year, when I moved from London to Norfolk. I discovered Pilates a result of editing a series of Pilates books written by Lynne Robinson, when I worked for Macmillan Publishers, and it has undoubtedly improved my posture and kept me flexible and strong. Lynne and her husband Leigh founded the Body Control Pilates Association in 1996 and it is now the foremost Pilates teaching organisation in the UK. Over the last few years it has expanded its training courses worldwide.
"Change happens through movement and movement heals."
Joseph Pilates
Matwork
I am qualified to teach all levels of matwork, which, as the name suggests, is done on a mat! Pilates is a safe and effective way to increase core stability, in other words the major muscle groups of the body, and to keep you supple and flexible. As you get stronger and more confident about your body, I add more complicated and challenging movements. Pilates isn’t competitive so everyone works to their own level.
The Reformer
Created in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, the reformer remains fundamentally unchanged in terms of design and function. It is a versatile, resistance-based machine consisting of springs and straps connected to a moving carriage. Exercises can be done lying down, sitting, kneeling or standing on the carriage – you put your hands or feet in the straps to move the carriage against the resistance of the springs. The resistance is varied depending on the objectives of the exercise. The reformer increases strength and body awareness and is good for discovering imbalances in the body. I qualified to teach reformer classes 10 years ago, and have a reformer at my home studio.
Reformer / Cadillac
I am also qualified to teach Pilates on the cadillac. To save space many reformers are made with a tower at one end on which you can do most of the exercises of the full cadillac – this is the version I have. There is a static bench to lie, kneel, sit or stand on, and springs are attached to the tower to provide resistance in the same way as on the reformer.
Exo Chair
I bought an Exo Chair, made by Balanced Body in the United States, about 4 years ago. This also uses adjustable spring resistance. It has a narrow base of support due to its small size which increases the technical challenge of the exercises and improves balance and control.
All the equipment is useful from beginner to advanced levels.
Specialist in the Management of Low Back Pain
This course is recognised by Back Care, the leading UK charity dealing with back pain. I see many clients with lower back problems and have been able to help them by increasing their core strength and encouraging them to move in a safe and effective way so they can keep active and overcome the fear of movement that back pain induces.