Joseph Pilates (1880-1967) developed a form of exercise that he called ‘Contrology,’ known today as ‘The Pilates Method’. Drawing from many Eastern and Western disciplines, Joseph Pilates believed that effective physical training involved the body and mind working together to achieve efficient movement with a minimum of stress or strain. He believed that “The Pilates Method of body conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit”.
Pilates has gained popularity around the world as a highly effective form of body and mind exercise. A conditioning practice for everyday use, Pilates is a series of exercises integrating control, flexibility, strength, precision, breath, flow of movement, concentration and coordination of mind and body.
Pilates offers a low impact form of exercise that conditions the body from within and improves muscle tone for all age groups and fitness levels. It
develops ‘core’ strength (lower back and abdominal muscles that support the pelvis and spine), which teaches positive body awareness by increasing postural freeness and alignment, providing spinal stability and enhancing mobility.
Meela Chan, supervisor, in charge of the Pilates studio at The Oriental Spa started practicing Pilates in 1994 in Vancouver, Canada.
An automobile accident in the late 1980’s had left her with recurring back pains exacerbated by long hours sitting in front of her computer. In her ongoing search for pain relief Meela found that her back pain quickly disappeared with practicing Pilates, an exercise that required so much concentration but amazing
results and soon found herself feeling better than she had ever felt before; energised, stronger, more flexible, and leaner and in more control of her body. Meela started her Pilates teacher training with Michelle Larsson (Michelle worked with Eve Gentry, Eve was one of the first students of Joseph Pilates) in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Studying at Core Dynamics Studio in Santa Fe for three months allowed Meela to practice and analyse exercises for developing flexibility and strength in the abdominal and back muscles. Treating injuries and using Pilates as rehabilitation tool was integral to her training as were the elements of mental and physical coordination and body awareness. Meela also learned how to utilise and adapt the exercises created by Joseph Pilates to customise exercise programs for different body types.
Pilates@The Oriental Spa
Pilates has gained popularity around the world as a highly effective form of body and mind exercise. Using sophisticated machines and pulleys to align the body and work from the core, Pilates conditions from within, combining control, flexibility, strength, breath, flow of movement and coordination to improve muscle tone, fitness and posture.
The Pilates studio at The Oriental Spa is the most comprehensive in Hong Kong, offering a wide range of reformers and a state-of-the-art gyrotonic pulley tower.
Lesson
Date
Time
Reformer Group Classes
(up to 4 people):
(Recommended for those
who have completed a
course of 10 private
sessions)
Led Reformer Group Classes
(up to 5 people):
(Beginners are welcome)
Group Mat Class:
(Beginners are welcome)
Tuesday & Friday
Thursday
Saturday
9am - 10am
11am – 12noon
3pm – 3:50pm
9am – 10am
For reservations or further information, please call The Oriental Spa on +852 2132 0011. Offers open to all - membership not required for spa treatments, yoga or Pilates.
Class Prices
Lesson
Prices
Mat Group Class
One Class
Ten Classes
Private
One Class
Ten Classes
Reformer Group Class
(up to 4 people)
One Class
Ten Classes
