What is Pilates?
Pilates is a complete and beautiful system of exercise that strengthens, aligns and connects the body to the mind. Pilates is for everyone. Whether you are an elite athlete, just getting into fitness, or recovering from an injury, this method is right for you.
Joseph Pilates is the innovator of a system of exercises that focuses on core strength, spinal mobility, and alignment of the frame-a system he called “Contrology.” The exercises are performed on a mat and on equipment of his very own design and use the following principles: centering, concentration, precision, breath, flow, and control. Because he never copyrighted his material it has been reinterpreted in many ways, so not all Pilates studios and/or classes are the same. “Classical” Pilates, which is what we teach at Axis, is the method most rooted in Pilates’ original work.
Joe Pilates working out on the Wunda Chair.
About Claire
A native of the Carolinas, Claire began her love of fitness and movement with dance at a young age. A dancer through her whole life, Claire received her BA in Dance from UNC- Greensboro in 2011. She also had the great privilege of working and performing as a free-lance modern dancer in her hometown of Asheville, NC. It was there, through a fellow dancer, that she discovered Pilates. After a couple years, Claire realized she loved Pilates so much she wanted to be able to share it with others. So, she enrolled in the Classical Pilates Instructor Certification Program program with 3rd generation instructor Brooke Tyler of Clasique Pilates and Acupuncture in Asheville, NC. There she completed an apprenticeship of over 1200 hours where she was comprehensively trained to teach the Pilates method.
In addition to her Pilates training, Claire is pursuing certification in the ELDOA method. She is currently a level 2 ELDOA student practitioner.
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Claire Askey owner/instructor