



Not sure if Yoga or Pilates is for you? – Read this
About Pilates
Find out more about Pilates and its benefits, Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates, which uses larger equipment.
Introducing Pilates
Pilates is a series of non-impact exercises, designed by Joseph Pilates, to develop:
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strength
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flexibility
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balance
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core strength
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inner awareness.
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Pilates is a form of training that can be done at any level of fitness and ability.
The exercises can also be adapted for people who have limited movement and is a good way of improving movement ranges.
Our Pilates Mat Classes (both in-person and online) involve a mixture of lying, seated and standing exercises, which can easily be adapted to take into consideration physical limitations.
Class numbers are kept small so you can be monitored for individual needs and be offered any necessary support. Every lesson is different with variety in every session. Movements and exercises are all pre-planned with a class focus, so the classes remain fresh and interesting.
Classes are suitable for beginners to more advanced participants, as each exercise is levelled accordingly.
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The Benefits of Pilates
Taking part in Pilates classes or videos regularly offers an engaging exercise program that promotes a feeling of physical and mental wellbeing, as well as developing inner physical awareness.
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This body-conditioning method targets deep postural muscles, building strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and helping to bring it into correct alignment, gaining the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. The exercises strengthen and lengthen the muscles to create ‘overall body length’ and improve posture.
Pilates is also helpful for:
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preventing and rehabilitating from injuries
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improving posture
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increasing flexibility, circulation, and balance
“You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions
and have a completely new body in 30 sessions.”
Joseph Pilates
Have you heard about Pilates Reformer?
As well as Mat Pilates, which you may be familiar with, we also offer Pilates Reformer classes.
Whilst Mat Pilates uses minimal equipment, such as a ball, bands or blocks, a Pilates Reformer class use larger equipment. It is more suitable for 1-2-1 sessions or small groups.
At the Andover Studio (in Bunny’s home), there are three Reformers, one Cadillac, two half Cadillacs, one Wunda Chair and a Fuse Ladder, alongside lots of the smaller Pilates equipment too. We work on a full range of conditioning and strengthening exercises, either working on one piece of equipment or running a circuit type class to move from each apparatus (Covid-19 rules allowing) in turn.
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The large equipment can look scary but actually it is completely the opposite and very supportive when used correctly by highly trained staff.
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Pilates Reformer works with resistance
The benefits of Pilates Reformer
The sessions can be tailored to exactly the requirement of the client, including:
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Strength
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Rehabilitation
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Sports conditioning
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Flexibility
Pilates Reformer is great for core stability and posture. It can also provide a more challenging strength and endurance work out, but it is always based around your ability and requirements.
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Everyone has their own reasons for 1-2-1 lessons. It could be you are new to exercise, recovering from an injury, you like personal treatment, want to improve self-esteem or want to get results quicker with the 1-2-1 focus. All sessions are tailored completely to you and your posture type / requirements for lasting results. You will see fast results working with what you need for your goals.
In small group sessions, you will be paired, (or trios) with individuals with similar abilities and at a similar level. This requires open discussion and we recommend a 1-2-1 first. However, we teach all ages and all levels and experiences.
If you have a Reformer at home, you can also participate in online 1-2-1's or online classes.
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Bunny is a APPI qualified Pilates Instructor,
with many years of experience.
Teaching those from 8-88!
You can be assured you’ll be in safe hands.
About Yoga
Not sure if Yoga or Pilates is for you?
Not sure if Yoga or Pilates is for you? – Read this
Find out more about Yoga and its benefits, Hatha Yoga and Yin Yoga.




Introducing Yoga
The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which means to merge, join or unit. Yoga is the union of the mind, body and spirit. Knowing oneself, the functions of the body and the ability to look at life evenly is part of living Yogic life. Yoga is not just an exercise but a life discipline involving emotions and will with a philosophy into an ancient art and way of life.
With regular practice of Yoga the rhythm of the mind is conquered and the body is controlled opening a doorway and creating equilibrium, good health, peace and tranquillity within life.
The benefits of Yoga
A regular Yoga practice can help to:
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Improve physical health
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Awaken proprioception
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Develop concentration and focus
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Develop confidence and self-awareness
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Increase strength, endurance and suppleness
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Improve posture
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Calm the mind
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Connect the mind and body
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Reduction of stress and anxiety
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Increased energy levels
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Shorter labour and improved birth outcomes
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Improved balance
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Reduce high blood pressure
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Improve quality of life specifically for elderly
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Increase in positivity and self-worth
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Increase core strength
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Encourages excellent body alignment
"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self"
The Bhagavad Gita
The different types of yoga we offer
There are a number of different types of yoga. Whilst we incorporate lots of different poses and styles in our face to face classes and online classes, there are two main types we offer.
Hatha Yoga
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Hatha Yoga comes from ‘ha’ meaning sun, and ‘tha’ meaning moon. Its practice merges upward and downward forces. Hatha Yoga is designed to build strong, supple, healthy bodies and was developed to help Yoga students to sit for meditation without discomfort and remove tension.
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The Sanskrit Hatha Pradipika yoga manual from the 15th century describes a range of postures. Hatha is a style that is common in modern yoga practice and has an emphasis on the asana (pose) practice. In order for a muscle to lengthen, it must first be relaxed and elongated. By working holding poses in Hatha the muscle being stretched will be required to develop strength in the antagonist (opposite) muscle to perform and maintain the pose.
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Holding and resisting the body against gravity in poses or groups of poses develops the muscle strength and endurance. It is for these reasons that Hatha develops strength and flexibility simultaneously.
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Yin Yoga
​Yin Yoga will force you to become still, find peace, overcome mental challenges and emotions, as well as build resilience to stress.
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The principle of most exercise is to stress tissue so the body will respond by strengthening and stretching it. Yin is different and works by moderately stressing the joints, rather than the muscles. Connective tissue and facia is different from muscle and needs to be exercised differently.
Instead of the rhythmic contraction and release that best stretches muscle, connective tissue responds best to a slow, steady load. If you gently stretch connective tissue by holding a yin pose for a long time, the body will respond by making longer and stronger—which is exactly what you want. If you don’t use your full range of joint flexibility, the connective tissue will slowly shorten to the minimum length needed to accommodate your activities. If you try to flex your knees or arch your back after years of underuse, you’ll discover that your joints have been “shrink-wrapped” by shortened connective tissue.
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Using props such as bolsters, pillows, blankets and blocks together, we will work on mat based poses to hold and let gravity work the magic. Still your mind and body.
We run a monthly 2.5 hour evening Yin Yoga, meditation and
Gong Sound Bath session in Longparish, Hampshire. Come and join us
Yogalates
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A fusion of Pilates and Yoga incorporated into one class for the best of both. Every class is different and will have a different theme. Working with core strength and also the benefits of both Pilates and Yoga to build better posture, alignment, body awareness, breath work and flexibility.
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Yoga for Calisthenics
Do you enjoy Calisthenics (strength training using your own body weight)? Do you want to see progress in your Calisthenics goals? Then, it’s time to improve your flexibility - get that perfect handstand line, make Toes to Bar easier and improve your L-Sit and V-Sit.
The best way to do this is with regular strength training and through yoga targeted at specific goals – increasing strength as well as flexibility.
We offer an online 30-day programme, which works on:
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end range mobility
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increasing strength
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increasing flexibility
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learning how to move safely
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warm up and cool down techniques
Meet Your Teachers
We have three qualified and experienced instructors to help you
to reach your personal health, fitness and well-being goals.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
STEPHIE C
Having undergone both physio and chiropractic treatments for a joint problem to no avail, Bunny not only explained what the issue was, but also the limitations it presented and what I could do to manage it. For the first time in two years I’ve felt fully fit and mobile again. Bunny is a great teacher- encouraging knowledgeable and good fun. I can highly recommend her.
GAIL H
Such a professional and friendly instructor who continues to amaze me with her fitness, health and well-being knowledge. I feel so many benefits from each and every class, loving the journey that I am on and the fun I’m having in the process. Bunny really does understand each and every one of her clients bodies, any pre existing conditions and any injuries. Totally supports our goals and strives for continuous improvement.
LYN G
I am very inflexible and would feel self conscious in a class, so the online classes are perfect for me. I am reasonably fit, but years sat at an office desk have taken there toll on my body. Bunny gives clear instructions and plenty of alternative positions to take into account those of us that do not bend/flex easily. There is no chanting or weird yoga stuff - just down to earth poses and stretches. I can highly recommend you give it a go .



