12 million people practise this full body strength training exercise discipline regularly. Developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, who called it "Contrology" because it helped people control their muscles and core. Pilates focuses on developing awareness of how muscles work, conscious breathwork, and building strong core and small stabilising muscles to support the pelvic floor and spine. Often improving posture, overall body strength, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and reducing back pain and body aches, especially when practised consistently.

Joseph Pilates developed his method studying and practising yoga, Zen philosophy, and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens. EMP builds on this traditional Joseph Pilates method and educational, evidence-based approach to wellbeing, with contemporary academic research on trauma recovery - ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ and the well known benefits of exercise for mental health, applying that knowledge in physical form.

Our studio offers a deep mind-body connection focus, promoting mindfulness to encourage a flow state (‘being in the zone’ - the mental state in which a person fully immersed in an activity feels energised, focused and enjoying the process); leading to a “sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

While our specific moving meditation style and Mat, Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair credentials offer a comprehensive, dynamic range of movement in our mat pilates classes to strengthen your core, improve balance, increase coordination and decrease stress. Pilates is safe, low impact and appropriate for anyone from age 10 to 100. With your doctor’s permission Pilates can be safely practised with orthopaedic conditions, post injury and is especially effective during pregnancy and postpartum.

VIBE: Relaxed and conscientious, geared towards supporting you to reach personal goals, encouraging consistency through joyful experience. Pilates is believed by many to be the most efficient method available for improving muscle tone and flexibility, thereby transforming one’s body. We rejoice in clients revelling in this physical shift towards comfort, growing throughout their time with us.

WHERE: Our sessions are currently conducted online, in Powlett Reserve Community Centre, or in the Fitzroy Gardens:
PRIVATE (one-on-one instructor / client), online or in the Fitzroy Gardens
DUET Semi-private (2 clients, one instructor), online or in the Fitzroy Gardens
SMALL GROUP Mindful, Prenatal & Postnatal classes (2-5 clients, one instructor) in Powlett Reserve Community Centre
GROUP EXERCISE classes at CBD Gyms & Leisure Centres in East Melbourne, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Clifton Hill (2-15 clients, one instructor).

WHEN: Private and semi-private sessions can be scheduled any time of the day or week, according to your preferences and instructor availability, while group classes are held at regular set times and locations as per our BOOK A CLASS page.

Each class typically starts with an outline on our pilates breathing technique and synchronised abdominal / pelvic floor connection, during a spine, abdominal and glute warm up. Followed by abdominal, leg, back, arm and chest exercises using body weight resistance, then a cool down stretch series to end. All major muscle groups are employed, and every exercise usually incorporates core strengthening in some fashion, even if only through breath. During a Pilates workout, your core muscles are always working.

Read about available CLASSES then click BOOK A CLASS button to access our fully integrated online booking and payment system. Once you’ve scheduled your first class, you will receive a welcome email with information on how to attend. If you’re signing up for a personalised course you can then also fill out your questionnaire to start building your personalised Pilates program immediately. Once logged in to our system you can schedule and purchase classes & courses, reschedule or cancel, as well as view your account details, schedule and history.

IN STUDIO: We recommend arriving a few minutes early, in comfortable clothes (shoes off / bare feet or grippy socks), with a yoga mat or blanket / towel, and hydration / water bottle. There is a bathroom and small kitchenette for refilling water bottles.

ONLINE / REMOTE / AT HOME: You will receive a zoom link to attend 24 hours prior to the class. You are welcome to take this class wherever works best for you and we can accommodate even the smallest of spaces, just ensure you can fully lie down, legs and arms outstretched and the floor is comfortable to lie on / use a yoga mat or blanket / towel. A good internet connection helps, as do comfortable clothes (shoes off / bare feet or grippy socks), and hydration is always recommended throughout the class.

IN FITZROY GARDENS: You will receive a Google Maps pin of your class location in Fitzroy Gardens 24 hours prior to class. We recommend arriving a few minutes early, in comfortable sun smart clothes (light shoes / shoes off / bare feet or grippy socks), with a yoga mat or blanket / towel, and hydration / water bottle. There are public toilets and drinking fountains in the gardens.

Joseph Pilates said it best:

After 10 sessions you’ll notice a difference . . .
After 20 sessions others will notice . . .
After 30 sessions, you’ll have a whole new body!

Every client is different and your progress will depend on several factors including current fitness level (zero is a great starting point though), any existing injuries, activities you participate in, as well as sleep, stress and diet. Typically, you can expect to improve body awareness, learn to activate muscles that may have been relatively inactive and improve your postural awareness in just your first few sessions. By 10 to 15 sessions most clients feel significant positive changes in their bodies and by 30 it’s a lifestyle.

Pilates can be performed either on specific pieces of equipment or on the floor (referred to as mat Pilates or matwork). The equipment utilises springs to change the workload and add resistance, while mat classes utilise bodyweight. We teach Mat Pilates classes: a series of exercises performed on the floor / yoga mat using bodyweight for resistance, without the assistance of any additional equipment.

The three most popular pieces of equipment are the Reformer, Cadillac/trapeze table and Wunda chair, each with a multitude of exercises specific to the apparatus. Our educators are qualified and certified in them all, which adds to the dynamic range of exercises in our mat classes offered.

Almost anyone can do Pilates. Our clients include people with a variety of orthopedic and medical issues, pregnancy / postpartum, as well as professional athletes. Our clients range in age from 16 to 91 years old. Everybody is different, but Pilates may also be beneficial for a number of medical conditions including: Scoliosis, Fibromylgia, Parkinson’s, MS, pelvic floor atrophy, back pain, depression and anxiety.

Yes. With your doctor’s consent you should be able to do Pilates. Please ensure you receive medical approval prior to joining classes, along with an allied health treatment plan from your Dr or Physio for us to work with. Since Pilates is gentle, low impact, and works with controlled and fluid movements, most clients tolerate the workout very well, and many see improvements in pain levels. We highly recommend PRIVATE or DUET classes and courses so our instructors can design and personally tailor your course around your individual goals, preferences, particular limitations and / or physio or doctor’s recommendations. If you have any further questions, please email us for more information, or to forward us your personal health care plan: EastMelbournePilates@gmail.com

Yes. We highly recommend our PRENATAL PRIVATE or DUET courses and classes, so our instructors can design and personally tailor your course around your individual goals, preferences, particular limitations and / or physio or doctor’s recommendations. If you have any further questions, please email us for more information, or to forward us your personal health care plan: EastMelbournePilates@gmail.com

Yes. We highly recommend our Postnatal series for maximum benefits. There is no time limit on recovering from child bearing and labour but we do recommend a minimum 6-8 weeks postpartum with Dr or Physio approval (no maximum). When you are ready to commence your Pilates program, we also recommend starting with our POSTNATAL PRIVATE or DUET classes or courses, so our instructors can design and personally tailor your course around your individual goals, preferences, particular limitations and / or physio or doctor’s recommendations, but you are welcome to jump straight in with the Postnatal Small Group Class at Powlett Reserve too. If you have any further questions, please email us for more information or to forward us your personal health care plan: EastMelbournePilates@gmail.com

Babies are invited to join in our Mums & Bubs Postnatal classes. Our classes are primarily designed for adults to attend, however children 14 years and over are welcome to participate in classes, provided their parents / guardians consent and attendance is paid for. Unfortunately children are not permitted to wait at the studio while their parent or guardian participate in a class. Pets are welcome only in the Fitzroy Gardens classes, provided they are appropriately restrained (dogs tied by leash nearby etc).

Bookings must be made 12 hours in advance of class. Cancellations must be made more than 24 hours prior to your class beginning to avoid forfeiting your session. We understand unforeseen circumstances arise, however as there are limited spaces available, we need to enforce fair and consistent standards. Cancelling a session 24hrs prior allows waitlisted clients to take your place in the class.

We have a 24 hour cancellation policy because we are a professional studio and our teachers reserve your appointment time, thereby making it unavailable for other clients. Classes are booked by the hour in each shift. 24 hours allows the studio and teacher to book another client to fill that void. We appreciate unforeseen emergencies arise, just ask you please cancel ahead of time when you do foresee issues happening, so we can try to be as accommodating as possible.

Your safety is our priority. We regularly monitor Federal Government updates on the coronavirus and follow the guidance of the Department of Health. While we continue to operate as normal, we have established a coronavirus management plan based on advice by the Australian Government’s Department of Health to ensure that you are able to safely attend sessions. We strongly recommend wearing a face mask to all face to face training, you will also need to bring your own mat, towel and water bottle to all classes.

PERSONAL AGREEMENT: I agree that East Melbourne Pilates Studio is in no way responsible for the safekeeping of my personal belongings while I attend class. I understand that classes may be physically strenuous and I voluntarily participate in them with full knowledge that there is risk of personal injury, property loss or death. I agree that neither I, my heirs, assigns or legal representatives will sue or make any other claims of any kind whatsoever against East Melbourne Pilates Studio or its members for any personal injury, property damage/loss, or wrongful death, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. East Melbourne Pilates Studio does not assume responsibility for any lost or stolen personal property. If you do become the victim of a theft, immediately report it to a staff member. By booking into a class you automatically agree to the above Terms and Conditions.

We‘re committed to ensuring your information is secure. However, you should keep in mind that the transmission of information over the Internet is not completely secure or error-free. In particular, e-mails sent to or from our website may not be secure, and you should therefore take special care in deciding what information you send to EMP Studio via e-mail. We may collect and store the following information from our clients:

Name
Contact information including e-mail address
Emergency contact person
Payment history
Other information relevant to questionnaires, customer surveys and/or sensitive information

Please email us and we will respond ASAP: EastMelbournePilates@gmail.com