Mairead Mc Goldrick is a Pilates instructor who was kind enough to do an interview on the many benefits of Pilates on both our mental and physical health. With a lot of people having to be at home more, and now with the wintery weather setting in, Pilates is a great way to improve and maintain your physical health from the comfort and safety of your own home.
- when did you started doing Pilates?
I started Pilates in 2000
- Why did you started doing Pilates?
I had been in a serious car accident when I lived in America and fractured bones in my neck and damaged lower back. I had no power in the neck for 4 months, and underwent rehabilitation for a long period, but after wearing a neck collar for so long, my muscles had deteriorated and that’s how I came to research Pilates, not realising how good the benefits would actually be.
- Where did you trained as a Pilates instructor?
I started training in America, then in LIA in Belfast.
- Did you always know you wanted to become a Pilates instructor?
No, had never heard of it until post-accident.
- How does Pilates make you feel when you’re doing it.
Pilates makes you feel great, mentally and physically, and you learn so much about your body, and how important it is to strengthen muscles.
- What are the main physical health benefits that Pilates has for a person?
Strengthening the bodies Core muscles from your toes to your head. Helping with flexibility, balance control, breathing control, preventing injuries, rehabilitating old injuries, the list goes on, there are so many benefits.
- What are the main mental health benefits that Pilates has for a person?
Pilates makes you more aware of your body. Alleviates stress and anxiety, changing the levels of chemicals in the brain. It gives you great tips on how to look after your health and after you take that step and try it out the benefits are endless.
- Can anybody take a Pilates class, or do you have to be naturally strong and flexible?
Anyone can do Pilates, as there are so many levels of Pilates from modified to advanced, even a chair Pilates which is very effective.
- Are you ever too old to start taking Pilates classes?
You are never to old, I have a lady in my class who is in her late 80’s, she started Pilates six years ago, when she started she was very limited to what she could achieve, now she is one of my number one students, she can do the exercises that I teach to the younger classes. Seeing is believing and I have saw it first-hand with a lot of elderly people.
- What would your advice be for someone who wants to start Pilates, but feels too self-conscious?
Please please try it out, it has amazing benefits, it changed my life, from being told I might never be well again with my neck injury to feeling better than ever, and never think you will be the one that sticks out in class, No you won’t, everybody starts somewhere and everybody in a class are so focused on their own challenges that no one is looking at the person beside them. Also, now with Covid 19 its all online classes, so it makes it easier for people who are a little self-conscious to relax in the comfort of their own home.
If you’d like to start making your body and mind stronger with Pilates you can contact Mairead through her Facebook page at Mairead’s Pilates
phone number 0877208485 or 07783057575..
Email mmcg05@hotmail.com..
