Learning to know yourself better, developing your concentration and gently strengthening your body: this is what Floriane passes on to children in her Pilates classes.
Often associated with adults, Pilates is increasingly turning towards a new audience: children and teenagers.
Invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s to help soldiers with their rehabilitation. It is a gentle method that combines muscle strengthening, flexibility and breathing, while promoting balance and posture.
What do your Pilates classes look like?
“I always do a warm-up to mobilise all the joints. Sometimes I do a little fun exercise with the youngest, moving around, like core work, balance…. Then we move on to a calmer part on the mat. Either each on their own mat, or in pairs to encourage mutual support.
Sometimes we take photos to see if the posture is correct. At the end of the year, I run workshops with equipment. We always finish with stretching and flexibility work. My classes are above all a space where motivated children can learn more about their bodies ”
What do the children/teenagers take away or enjoy most about this practice, in your opinion?
“I think it does them good. The older ones really listen to the advice, to the ‘why we do this’. They realise that it’s good for their bodies, that it’s important not to get injured later on. They come with a health awareness, I would say. And they’re also very receptive, they love learning”.
What is the atmosphere like in the classroom when you teach a class?
“The atmosphere is fairly calm and caring. In terms of the mood, the lighting is soft, there are colours. I always put on a little music. So depending on the activity, it can be slightly more dynamic, fun tracks or calmer music. The atmosphere is quite calm and relaxed. Pilates is an activity where you’re very focused on what you’re doing. That’s why I try, from time to time, to run workshops or slightly more fun things so that they can also chat and get to know each other. But most of the time, it remains work on yourself. ”
Pilates also has many benefits. It not only brings balance and awareness of your body schema, but it also channels energy. It also helps improve posture and balance, which gives children self-confidence.
How do you see the place of Pilates for children evolving in the years to come?
“Nowadays, we really promote this health sport from a very young age. More and more children are taking part in classes like yoga or muscle strengthening just for wellbeing, mental and physical.
I think this is even more true since COVID and with social media.
On social media, they see all sorts of things. So they can be influenced positively as well as negatively. I try to warn young people about what they might find there.
What would you say to a parent who is hesitating about signing their child up for your class?
“I start from the principle that the child has to enjoy it. When parents want to sign their child up, I always tell them: let them come and try, and if they like it, they carry on. I don’t want children who are forced to be there.
A child who wants to learn more about their body will see it from the very first class. If you see that your child has poor posture or doesn’t understand how to position themselves properly, it can really help them.
And then we have a very inactive generation. Doing flexibility work, strengthening the deep muscle chains, can only be positive, whatever other sport they do alongside. It’s a good complement. And it’s a calm activity, so it also depends on the child’s personality. ”
Signing up for a Pilates class for children means offering much more than a physical activity: it’s a space for personal development in a gentle and motivating setting. If you would like to introduce your child to this wonderful discipline, don’t hesitate to contact Floriane for a free trial class.
