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Q&A

I’ve never practiced Pilates before but done lots of Yoga, do I need to join a Beginners class?

Yes, although some exercises are similar to those you might have practiced in a Yoga class, Pilates uses a very different breathing and centring technique which can sometimes take a while to ‘get’. We always suggest at least one 8 week block at Beginner level before progressing to our Mixed Ability classes where we increase the pace and challenge of the exercises.  It takes the brain around 8 weeks to build new neuropathways to muscles it isn’t familiar with moving mindfully, so be patient… it will come!

Were possible it’s best to work under the watchful eye of an instructor initially (either at our Studio Classes or a 1:1 session) to ensure you are ‘getting it’ and to allows you a chance to ask any questions to help solidify your learning.  If our Online Library is the only option that’s accessible to you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.  You can speak to an Instructor via the Contact Form on our website. 

I’ve been coming to a Beginners Class for a while now, should I be thinking about moving up a challenge level?

Not necessarily, we hope that throughout your learning you have started to tune into your body and notice when you are working in good form and not.  If you feel you have mastered all the Beginners moves and are practicing them with good form then we recommend moving up to the next challenge level – Mixed Ability.  If you feel you still have some work to do then you are welcome to stay at Beginners level for as long as you need.  Don’t forget, everyone comes to a Pilates class for their own reasons, many of our members come to maintain/improve their current level of mobility and are happy to stay at Beginners level.

I have back/shoulder/hip pain, is Pilates for me?

Yes, many of our members have been advised to start practicing Pilates by a GP or Physiotherapist.  If you haven’t had your pain diagnosed then we always suggest this as a first port of call so we know what we are working with and can help to keep you safe and pain free in class. Ideally we would like to observe your movement as you commence your Pilates practice and so would recommend our Studio Classes or Private sessions. If our Online Library is the only option that’s accessible to you, please do contact us for additional advice.

What should I wear?

Classes are conducted bare foot (or in socks if you prefer) so no special footwear is necessary however comfortable clothing is required to allow free movement, please DO NOT WEAR JEANS.

Help, my question isn’t answered here!

No problem at all, we’d love to hear from you, simply follow the link to our Contact form here.

Do I have to book for a full block?

We operate a block booking system for various reasons but mainly because we like to keep class sizes small to ensure everyone gets the individual attention they require. However, we understand that sometimes life gets in the way and it is not always possible to attend class at the same time 8 weeks in a row. This is why we offer a degree of flexibility with our block bookings.

If you cannot make a class, simply cancel your space on our booking platform to be issued a class pass which you can use to book on to any other Studio Class. Please note, we do require 3 hours notice to be able to issue you with a Class Pass (so someone else has the chance to book your space). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept Class Passes as part payment for future blocks or allow non-members to use Class Passes gained in a previous block.

What if the class I wish to attend is fully booked?

At the end of each block, first refusal to the next block is given to all current members, therefore some classes may be fully booked when you enquire. We operate a waiting list system and will offer out any available spaces via text message a week or two before the start of the block. As spaces are available on a first come, first served basis, please do ensure we have your contact mobile number, so you don’t miss out on booking your space!

How do I pay for my booking?

We accept Debit and Credit Card via our Online Booking Platform. 

Our site is 100% secure and we use Barclays to process payments.  Neither we nor our web developers ever see your debit/credit card details.  If you’re ever unsure about the security of any site, always look out for the little padlock symbol next to the web address in the address bar at checkout.

What is your refund policy?

Cancellations received more than 5 working days before the first class of the block will be refunded in full, please ensure we have acknowledged your email before considering the booking cancelled. Cancellations received in the 5 days before the first class of the block will be subject to a £28.50 cancellation fee, unfortunately, we are unable to refund any cancellations received from the first day of the block.

Do I need to bring anything with me to class?

All equipment will be provided at no extra cost however since the Co-Vid19 pandemic, we strongly suggest you bring your own mat to class.  Please bring a small hand towel which can be used as prop in class.

What should I wear?

Classes are conducted bare foot (or in socks if you prefer) so no special footwear is necessary however comfortable clothing is required to allow free movement, please DO NOT WEAR JEANS.

Where am I going?

The full address and interactive map for each pop up studio can be found on our website under ‘Studio Classes’. We also send out confirmation emails with this information when booking, please keep an eye on your junk email folder as sometimes emails pop in there. Please note that we can only accept members into our studio space 5-10 minutes before class start time so please keep this in mind when planning your journey as we’d hate to leave you waiting out in the cold! 

Help, my question isn’t answered here!

No problem at all, we’d love to hear from you, simply follow the link to our Enquiry form here.

How much does it cost?

Access to our Online Library costs £10 per month which equates to £2.33 per week. We are offering all Studio Class members free access to the library each block (check your confirmation email for login credentials).

What if I want to cancel my subscription or take a break when I go on holiday?

Once logged in to the Online Library, select ‘Manage Subscription’ from the menu at the top right hand corner of the screen and follow the instructions to cancel. Your subscription will run for the remainder of your current 30 day period and then stop when your next payment is due. 

If you’d like to rejoin, just drop us an email before you resubscribe to make sure we have removed your past subscription from our systems. Of course, our Online Library is a perfect way to practice WHILE you’re on holiday. All you need is an internet connection of 5mbps which is standard for most countries.

Do I need to have a Zoom account or some other software to access the Library?

No, simply log in to our Online Library from our website using your username and password and you will have access to all our videos. All you need is an internet connection with 5mbps or more (average household in Scotland has 70mbps)

Can I attend more than one class per week?

Yes, by purchasing a monthly subscription to our Online Library you have unlimited access to all of our videos so you can practice as often as you like.

I’m a Beginner, is much of the content relevant to me?

Yes, we have an individual ‘8 week Beginners’ section for those of you who are new to Pilates. Here you can choose which instructor you would like to follow and complete an 8 week block with them to help you get to grips with the alignment, breathing and centring techniques we use in Pilates. We also have a ‘Teaching aids’ section where break down our beginners moves to give you more detail.

When you feel ready, you can then move on to the more challenging Beginners classes in the ‘Beginners’ section.

I rarely find a full hour to practice, is the Online Library for me?

Yes, you can watch any part of any video that you wish if you don’t have time for a full hour practice. We also have a huge ‘Short Videos’ section so you can dip in for a quick Pilates fix at any time you wish.

How do you process payments, is your website secure?

Our site is 100% secure, we use a company called Stripe to process payments which has PCI Compliance Level 1 (this is the highest level available).  Neither we, nor our web developers ever see your debit/credit card details.  If you’ve ever purchased from ASOS or Booking.com then you will have already used Stripe to process your payment. If you’re ever unsure about the security of any site, always look out for the little padlock symbol next to the web address in the address bar.

You can find out more about Stripe here: www.stripe.com/gb

Help, my question isn’t answered here!

No problem at all, we’d love to hear from you, simply follow the link to our Enquiry form here.

How much does a 1:1 cost?

We charge £60 for a private Pilates session in the comfort of your own home.  All sessions last a minimum of 1 hour.

How do I book?

Please email silvia@scpilates.co.uk or use the enquiry form on the Private Tuition page of our website. Please let us know where you live, what you want to work on and if you are looking for regular 1:1 sessions or just one or two sessions to prepare for joining a class.  We will then pair you up with the most suitable instructor for your needs and get back to you with their availability.

Once your first session has been booked, your instructor will invoice you separately and get in touch with you nearer the day of your appointment with any additional instructions. Please note that payment is direct to instructor which is not managed by SC Pilates Network.

I have pain/mobility issues, is a private session for me?

Yes! We actively encourage clients with mobility issues and/or chronic pain to book in for a private session before starting a group class.  This allows your instructor to assess your suitability for a group class and gives us an opportunity to talk you through any modifications that will be helpful to you when you as/when you join a class. 

If you’d prefer to work with your instructor on a private basis for a longer period of time then this can be arranged directly with them.

I struggle to attend a weekly class but can’t afford weekly 1:1s, do you have an option that’s suitable for me?

Yes, we do!  Why not sign up to our Online Library of pre-recorded classes and book in for monthly 1:1 sessions to compliment this?  This means your instructor can keep an eye on your form and nip any ‘bad habits’ in the bud before they impact on your progress. 

What should I wear?

Classes are conducted bare foot (or in socks if you prefer) so no special footwear is necessary however comfortable clothing is required to allow free movement, please DO NOT WEAR JEANS.

Do I need to buy in any equipment?

The answer is no, your instructor will bring all equipment that they intend to use with you to your private session.

Help, my question isn’t answered here!

No problem at all, we’d love to hear from you, simply follow the link to our Enquiry form here.