Kids reaching out for the power of pilates

Dec 23 2009 by Marie Turbill, Evening Gazette

If you thought that PE lessons were restricted to games of netball and hockey, then think again. These days physical education has taken a contemporary twist. And while traditional sports are still popular, when it comes to keeping fit, youngsters are getting more choice. The latest addition on offer to primary schools in Stockton is pilates.

Dance and fitness coach Lyndsey Davis, who leads the sessions, explains: Pilates is a fun and enjoyable way to teach children correct posture so they stand, sit and lay correctly.

Pilates is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th Century by Joseph Pilates. It focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support for the spine. A favourite among women and men, it focuses on stretching and moving the body with controlled breathing. It helps develop co-ordination, balance, strength and flexibility.

And, it seems, the kids are loving it.

It is something completely different, says Lyndsey, who works with Stockton Schools Sports Partnership. It helps them with the fundamentals like balance, flexibility and posture and this can help with other sports.

It can also give their concentration levels a boost as Lyndsey says they have to really think about what they are doing.

Among the schools snapping up the Primary Pilates sessions is Whinstones Primary School in Ingleby Barwick.

This sounded like something a bit different, says Carrie Magee, the schools team leader for years three and four. We also thought it would be calming and help focus the childrens minds.

After just two sessions, Carrie says the response has been really positive. You could hear in the corridors afterwards how much fun it was and how much they loved it.

It is good to try these things and give the children as much opportunity to try as many different fitness things as possible. She says it also gives children of all athletic ability the chance to feel that they have achieved.