There’s some common misconceptions about pilates that Jenna Beattie is keen to clear up.
“People often think that you need to be super skinny and fit to come to pilates or you need to be super flexible but that is not the case,” says Jenna.
“I wasn’t physically active or flexible when I started pilates and you certainly don’t have to touch your toes to go to a class.”
‘Pilates helped my scoliosis’
As someone who hated PE growing up, Jenna never thought in a million years that she would one day become a pilates teacher in Aberdeen.
“I wouldn’t say I’m your typical pilates instructor,” laughs Jenna, 40, who lives in Kingswells.
“I hated PE and I wasn’t very physically active.”
But all that changed after Jenna was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side and often causes back pain.
“I got diagnosed with scoliosis in my late teens,” says Jenna.
“I had started to experience lots of different pains in my body especially through my back so I was advised to do pilates.
“I absolutely loved it as it really helped me both physically and mentally.”
After 10 years of practicing pilates, Jenna had an epiphany.
“I had a bit of a life moment as I decided that I loved it so much that I would go and train to become a pilates instructor,” says Jenna.
“I had experienced the benefits and I wanted to help others so I went and trained to become a pilates instructor while I was still working full-time in marketing, communications and events.”
Pre and postnatal pregnancy pilates classes in Aberdeen
After a year of intense training, Jenna gained her pilates qualifications and started classes in Aberdeen.
Starting with mixed beginners/intermediate pilates classes, Jenna soon discovered there was a big demand for classes for mums to be and new mums.
“I had a lot of pregnant women coming along to classes so I decided to go off and do another qualification in pre and postnatal pilates so I could teach pregnant and postnatal women,” says Jenna, who runs her pre and postnatal classes at Adventure Aberdeen in Kingswells.
“It was something that I didn’t expect to take off like it did.”
Pilates help prepare your body for birth
From strengthening muscles and easing anxiety to making friends, Jenna says pilates has countless benefits for pregnant women.
“Women can come at any stage of their pregnancy, it’s open to all trimesters,” says Jenna.
“There’s lots of benefits but the main one is that you’re preparing your body for birth.
“So you’re working your core and your pelvic floor muscles.
“Also, I’ve got a lot of ladies who come to the class who are a bit anxious so it really helps to calm them and it also helps with sleep.
“It’s also about having a little support group as well as quite often the ladies make friends which is lovely.”
Classes for new mums
New mums will also reap the benefits at Jenna’s postnatal class.
“Depending on what kind of birth they’ve had, women can join any time from six to nine weeks after giving birth and they can take their babies to that class as well,” says Jenna.
“It’s during the day as I find that works best as mums can’t come at night as they have little ones to put to bed.”
With the postnatal pilates class there is a focus on building back strength.
“The postnatal class is about helping new mums to regain their core strength and their pelvic floor strength,” says Jenna.
“Everyone is different though, some women can come out of the experience with a very tight pelvic floor so it’s about moving their body in a healthy way after birth.
“There’s also the social side too as there’s this lovely little community of new mums and their babies.”
Pilates is for everyone
But it’s not just mums to be and new mums who benefit from pilates, Jenna says everyone can enjoy the mental and physical benefits.
“Pilates is quite mindful as you do really have to concentrate,” says Jenna.
“I always say to people if you’re doing it right it should be hard.
“It’s very precise movements and we focus on deeper, small, stabilising muscles more.”
As well as the beginners/intermediate classes that Jenna holds at Breathing Space in Aberdeen’s Gaelic Lane, she also organises pilates events.
“I have started running little events some of which are specifically for pregnant and postnatal women,” says Jenna.
“I call them ‘little mums mini retreats which usually combine pilates and I’ll maybe ask someone to come in and do reflexologist or maybe someone who can talk them through hypnobirthing.”
Wellness and wine event
Jenna also hosts wellness and wine events.
“At these events there’s pilates, hand reflexology and wine tasting with a sommelier,” says Jenna.
“The next one is at Breathing Space on August 31.”
Asked what her plans are for the future, Jenna is keen to host more events.
“I would love to do more events like the mini retreats,” says Jenna.
“I’m also going to be at the Parent and Baby show at the P&J Live in September.”
Jenna is also starting a new beginners/intermediate pilates class at Riverside Chiropractic in Holburn Street in August.
And when Jenna isn’t teaching pilates, she can usually be found pounding the pavements.
“I’ve recently started running because I felt like I needed to do something for me and practice what I preach more,” says Jenna.
“I hope to built up to a marathon one day.”
For more information on Jenna’s pilates classes and events, check out her website jgpilates.co.uk or check out her Instagram page @jgpilates.scotland
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