Inspirational Women series #1 Paula Kay and the power of Pilates

What is Pilates?
It is a form of exercise that concentrates on strengthening the body, with an emphasis on core strength. A Pilates session will be made up of posture, balance and flexibility exercises
It was invented by Joseph Pilates during the 1920s.

A typical pose in a Pilate class

Anyone that is aware of my day to day life, knows I am a big fan of Pilates, I got into it a few years ago when my daughter started nursery, and finally I had some time to concentrate on my fitness again, and thought I would try something completely new. I never thought I would be able to do yoga or such exercises because of the breathing that goes with it, and therefore assumed it wouldn't suit me.
It took a while for me to get into the Pilates, understanding the terminology, that everyone's else seemed to know, and the ability to do things like sit ups, as I had no core strength. But after about 6 months, I was as good as most of the people in the group.
Prior to having my daughter, I spent years swimming or in a gym, watching the clock, measuring my exercise by how much time, how many lengths, or distance I had run. Its all well and good using goals, but there were done under duress and with little thought about what I was trying to achieve.
Since doing Pilates, which is a mindful exercise, and with coaching from my teacher Paula, I now approach exercise with a perspective, and indeed other parts of my life, like how I walk, how I sit etc. Previously when I used the gym, I might be on the cross trainer watching Jeremy Kyle, or if listening to music, my mind may wonder as to what I was cooking for dinner. In a Pilates or yoga session, you really have to think about what you are doing in order to get the correct position / stance so what you are doing is effective.

Paula being Paula trying something new

Paula Chandler (Paula Kay is her business name) a Newbury based fitness instructor, has been my teacher at Northcroft Leisure Centre for about 5 years now (crikey is it that long?), I have done a Thai Chi course with her and I now also attend her spin and yoga classes. She has been a fitness instructor for 15 years, prior to this she was a customer advisor; which is an inspiring fact about Paula, as she retrained at the age of 37 after her 3rd child.
I can't sing her praises enough, everyone loves Paula, and she has a dedicated and loyal following (she also runs her own private courses).
Why is Paula so inspiring to me? she is innovative and if you are a regular attender of her classes, you are on a journey with her, what she learns, she passes on to us, how far you go with the journey is your choice. She always has a smile on her face and is very personable, she is confident enough to tell us when she is struggling in class, because she is human (although she probably did 4 classes the previous day!!) Paula's approach to classes is to empower you, which is what I benefit from, I hate the drill instructor types, that shout and push you to the max, making you feel small if you can't keep up. If I have taken the motivation to turn up to a class, then I don't need pushing and to feel intimidated thank you very much. Empowering people to take responsibility for their own actions in a class is much more effective all round, gentle persuasion works much better, we are all adults after all.
Personally, I'm a life long learner, and on a journey too with my fitness and well being.
Here are my 10 questions with my 'Inspirational woman of the month'.

1) How long had you been practicing before you became an instructor?

I had only done a few Pilates classes before trying to teach, as I was much more interested in the high impact, high energy classes at that time, and was unsure of the benefits of Pilates

2) What is your favourite discipline?
Yoga, then Pilates, Tai chi then Spin

3) What is your favourite position?
Down Dog, it centres me and helps me focus on my breath, its strengthening, and a good stretch

4) Is there a position you would really like to do but can't?
The Lotus position, because my hips are tight its uncomfortable for me, but with practice over years, I would hope to achieve this. (Me too Paula)

The Lotus position

5) What music do you like to exercise to?
Any kind of Indie music

6) What exercise clothing brand is your favourite?
Sweaty Betty, although its pricey, its keeps its shape for a long time

Click the link to browse
Sweaty Betty Yoga Wear

My favourite is No Balls
No Balls Yoga wear

7) What is your favourite healthy food?
hummus - I eat it with everything

8) Do you have any tips for Pilates or Yoga beginners?
Regular class attendance, and over time they will gain better mobility, strength, balance, flexibilty and mental focus

9) Who inspires YOU?
My class members, who work so hard to maintain and improve their strong physics, I am also inspired by musician and dancers like Beyonce and Madonna, because you can't buy fitness it takes effort and dedication

10) What next for Paula Kay?
I am lucky that I am in a position to teach only the classes I like.
I would like to do further training in Yin Yoga and meditation as the mental benefits of these are so important and often over looked

Thanks Paula, See you in class

Please follow Paula's journey, please click on the link below (and feel free to share thanks)

Paulas Facebook Page

An inspirational photo for us all, a 105 year old Yogi, I think I'm too late in the game to master this one!

Oldest Yogi at 105