Are you looking for some ‘me’ time, the chance to get fitter and feel healthier, whilst having fun and making friends?

As well as having fun, you’ll get a healthy amount of cardio, strength, stretch and flexibility moves. The result? You’ll feel energised and refreshed, and over time, you’ll feel and see a difference – you’ll tone up and move with more poise.

Enjoy a Free Exercise, Movement and Dance Taster Session, and join a 7 week course:

Monday 2nd March at 10am or 6.15pm

St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, St Andrews, Maurice Road, BS6 5BZ.

Contact Rachael to book your place:

rachaelwilliams@talktalk.net
07966 418 714
Facebook/fitnessleagueinBristol

First class free
7 week course – £45.50

Course details:

• 9th March – 27th April 2015
• 11am – 12pm – Horfield United Reformed Church, 139 Muller Road / Downend Road, BS7 9RE
• 6.15 – 7.15pm – St Barts Church Hall, Maurice Road, St Andrew’s, BS6 5BZ.

Booking and upfront payment per block are essential to secure your place after the taster session.

Classes are led by Rachael Williams, a qualified and insured Fitness League teacher.

“In July 2014 I gained my Level 3 Qualification accredited by the CYQ recognised by REPS, Register of Exercise Professionals. This involved physical training, assessments of teaching and exams in anatomy and physiology”.

Fitness League teachers instruct in Bagot Stack which is part dance, part exercise to energize and strengthen the whole body. This unique system which is based on yoga, remedial health exercises and movement, and offers a complete approach to body fitness and mobility. The Principles of Bagot Stack can only be taught by qualified Fitness League teachers of which there is a worldwide network.

Fitness League classes are based on the methods and principles developed by Mary Bagot Stack in the 1930s, which our teachers use to devise effective, powerful and safe exercises. These methods have stood the test of time and guarantee that you will improve your posture, mobility, muscle strength and stamina.

Mary developed her ideas about physical fitness and central control around the same time as Josef Pilates in the early 20th century. Both suffered illness as a child and were given exercise regimes to improve their health, giving rise to a passionate belief in the value of physical exercise for all.

The exercise systems they developed separately shared the same fundamental aim. Core stability (pilates) or central control (Bagot Stack) as the basis from which posture and good movement flow. Mary was also trained in the yogic asanas and relaxation techniques during her time living in India.

Classes focus on:

• Good posture – you’ll stand and move more freely, not only in the class, but in everyday life.
• Mobilising joints and building strength, not bulk, in the muscles
• Co-ordination – our exercises train the brain as well as the body!
• Relaxation of mind and body
• Breathing – correct breathing improves your whole sense of well-being
• Music – we use music as an expressive tool which positively helps you perform the exercises – and it lifts the spirit!
• Classwork that is suitable for all levels and abilities – you will move on to more advanced work when you are ready

Benefits to exercise:

• Improve your balance, co-ordination and agility
• Improve your heart and lung health
• Overcome stress – so that you sleep better
• Manage and maintain your weight
• Reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers
• Lower your blood pressure
• Manage chronic conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes and arthritis
• Have more zest for life – research shows that regular exercise improves mood, and can be as effective as anti-depressant or psychological therapies for mild depression*

* Royal College of Psychiatrists
** British Heart Foundation

Eileen, a Fitness League member from Bishopston has been a regular at Rachael’s classes:

“I can highly recommend Rachael’s classes and approach to fitness which incorporates all best practices of exercise, posture, balance and floor work. She has a kind, encouraging style which is very relaxing. The class is uplifting and motivating. Someone recovering from injury or illness who may lack fitness or be mildly breathless would also gain benefit ”.

Please bring a bottle of water and wear loose, comfortable clothing in layers that you can remove as you warm up and cool down. Bring a mat if you have one, Rachael has a few spare mats to borrow for the taster session. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before start time.

Rachael is happy to run a free taster session for groups of women should you have a venue in mind. Classes can be tailored to suit a range of ages and abilities.

Coming soon: 

Classes for Ante and Post Natal mums: 
 
“During pregnancy and after having my son, I experienced a great deal of back pain. I needed to regain my core stability and strength and I am passionate about enabling other mums to do the same. Currently I am taking an additional Level 3, REPS recognised qualification in adapting Exercise for Ante and Post Natal participants.

I look forward to providing gentle and uplifting sessions for women which focus on staying strong and active before conception, through pregnancy and beyond. In class we will strengthen the pelvic floor, core and back muscles, when it is safe to do so. The exercises carried out will depend on the trimesters and post-natal recovery time period”.