Published: Wednesday, 28th October, 2009 4:30pm

Tone up for the winter with powerful pilates in Sangoma

Well if it is good enough for Madonna and Jennifer Aniston then it's good enough for me! Pilates that is. My very thoughts as I made my way to the Sangoma studio in Scotch Parade recently for a beginners class with Alison Hogan.

Celebrities have always set trends for fashion but now their favourite form of exercise is also latched on to by all of us looking for even a teensy bit of their positive results. Jennifer Aniston loves pilates so much she recently gushed in a magazine I happened to chance upon that she is a pilates person. It's great. I had a hip problem. I had a chronic back, a pinched nerve and a hip problem and it's completely solved all of it. I love it. It makes me feel like I'm taller."

Now, no one is suggesting I will be transformed in a lithe six foot gazelle, or indeed that I have the reported five to six hours a day to spare that Hollywood stars devote to fitness and exercise but even a class a week will have positive benefits, Alison told me. "It's super for toning and tightening," she commented.

"It's particularly good for rehabilitation, people with back injuries, for women during pregnancy or after pregnancy or people with bladder problems because it strengthens the pelvic floor muscles," Alison pointed out, stressing that absolutely everyone will benefit from the exercises.

Always lumped in with yoga, Alison said pilates is quite different and is centred more on fitness and physical results, whereas yoga has completely different principles and ethos.

The Mayfield Grove native, a fitness instructor for many years, is so convinced of its results that she spreads the gospel of pilates with classes in Moate, Tullamore and Athlone, while also travelling to groups and clubs around the region.

Now, it must be said first off, that pilates is a slow and controlled form of exercise so for those looking for fast results, or those who enjoy very physical exercise, it may not suit.

However, used on its own or in conjunction in with cardio-vascular exercise, it can have excellent results especially toning the difficult stomach area and strengthening pelvic floor muscles, while also improving posture, breathing and indeed just helping you to relax.

It is suitable for all fitness levels, even those who haven't done exercise in a long time, Alison tells me, adding within weeks the pilates will pull in your muscles and you'll notice the difference in tone and strength.

Lying on the floor in the cosy candle-lit studio the class gets underway with some exercises as she talks you through the moves, although they are gentle movements they certainly do test muscles that haven't had a work out in a long time!

For instance you can feel your stomach tighten, legs flexing and your body stretching and lengthened. All the techniques can be applied to daily life, Alison contends, whether it is driving or walking, once learned and you can progress to more difficult routines the longer you keep at it.

With a lovely soothing voice, she gently guides you through the movements, walking around the class adjusting the participants to show them the correct way of learning pilates. I really liked this approach, as I have found in the past in classes that you often spend more time looking at your neighbour or the instructor demonstrating it and getting flustered rather than enjoying the class.

A very patient teacher, Alison encourages you to concentrate - giving you a picture in your head, a great way of switching off the trials of daily life and really letting your worries go. A little humour also boosted participants and coaxed the group along to go as far as possible with the exercises.

Developed by a German physical trainer almost a hundred years ago, pilates combines the principles of relaxation, concentration, co-ordination, alignment, breathing, stamina and empowering the core to bring about positive changes. Some of which include an improvement in posture, strengthening and toning muscle, while improving flexibility, balance and reducing stress. No wonder it's beloved of dancers, athletes and celebrities!

The hour-long class absolutely flew by as the tribulations of the day were cast aside and all concentration goes on yourself, and your own body awareness, a very enjoyable break from the day.

Going to the class straight from a meeting, I was extremely sluggish and lethargic, but coming out I was like a different person, wide eyed, tall and alert, in other words ready for anything! An added bonus was the best night's sleep in weeks, definitely a recommendation to come back. And that's aside from wanting the resulting flat stomach!

For further information about pilates classes phone Sangoma Therapies and Training, Scotch Parade, (above Behan's), Athlone, on 086 8714467.