Pilates and Counselling

Counselling can help and support the sports woman or man at any level. While coaches typically focus on the physical side of sport, psychology focuses on the mind to help them achieve their goals. Sportspeople seek help from exercise health professionals when they have problems. They might become anxious or lose focus during their training. They can have difficulty controlling their temper or even just finding the motivation to exercise, as with any individual in life.

It is no secret that physical activity is essential for good health and there are many ways to improve it through an exercise regime.

Benefit of physical activity

Sportspeople may require mental health support when an injury or illness occurs. The emotional trauma of a sudden and severe injury or illness can increase the risk of an individual developing an anxiety condition such as depression. An emotional response may include sadness, isolation, irritation, lack of motivation, frustration, change of appetite, sleep disturbance and disengagement in normal activities.

Individual Counselling in Pilates is a therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between the professional instructor and the client. The counsellor aims to develop and increase in the client’s mind a sense of self-confidence and well-being. Experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behaviour change are designed to improve the mental health of the patients.

In addition, through a Pilates sport injury rehabilitation program, people receive specific individualised treatment for them to return to normal functionality. Progressive strengthening and flexibility exercises are implemented to ensure the injury site returns to a fully functional state.

For the Pilates instructor, there are important factors to consider such as personal issues in life and stress from work. During rehabilitation, the instructor’s role is to assist the client to develop daily life skills that will increase their appreciation of life and their happiness.

Pilates is the accessible way to build core muscle strength, better posture, balance and flexibility without the major effort of common exercise training. Using specific exercise equipment, I prescribe a program following the method created in 1920 by Joseph Pilates who developed this exercise concept.

A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control and endurance. People with a pre-existing medical condition, injury or pre and post-natal should speak with their doctor prior to beginning an exercise regime.

Pilates is not only for serious athletes or professional dancers, everyone can benefit from this approach to strength training. My role as your trainer is to create a program adjusted to your level of physical ability.

Please call Plaisance Counselling or Bondi Junction Pilates to make an appointment.