“My name is Carla Bangueses and I started my career in Performing Arts and the circus where I forged a dancing career as a professional contemporary and classic ballet dancer. As a dancer and circus artist, I was often injured and this probably led to my fascination and curiosity about my body ́s responses to those injuries, so I went on to take my degree in Physiotherapy. While completing my studies I was intrigued by the neurological and musculoskeletal areas of the body. The accumulation of these events in sports and Physiotherapy brought me to Pilates and I saw the incredible effect it had on the human body!”
“My name is Carla Bangueses and I started my career in Performing Arts and the circus where I forged a dancing career as a professional contemporary and classic ballet dancer. As a dancer and circus artist, I was often injured and this probably led to my fascination and curiosity about my body ́s responses to those injuries, so I went on to take my degree in Physiotherapy. While completing my studies I was intrigued by the neurological and musculoskeletal areas of the body. The accumulation of these events in sports and Physiotherapy brought me to Pilates and I saw the incredible effect it had on the human body!”
Carla joined the Palácio Estoril Wellness Centre specialised team as a Physiotherapist and a Pilates instructor at the beginning of 2018 and with her vast experience in rehabilitation, she has been a very successful expert in this specific field. Carla has a degree in Physiotherapy from the Escola Superior de Saúde do Alcoitão, who specialises in Physiotherapy for pre-partum and baby massage. She took special training in Myofascial Taping for physiotherapists and has a Clinical Pilates MW1 Matwork certification (2015) and a Pilates Complete Equipment Essentials certification (2017).
Pilates is an immensely popular form of exercise that was created during the formative years of the 20th century by German physical trainer, Joseph Pilates. Working on core strength, posture and flexibility to improve physicality, Pilates bridges the body and mind as it is also conducive to mental wellbeing with its breathing exercises and stretching movements. Bangueses, physiotherapist and Pilates instructor at Palacio Estoril Wellness Centre, to help you banish those nerves and understand why you should be practising Pilates.
Carla's background is in the performing and circus arts, as a professional dancer. As a contemporary and ballet enthusiast, Carla was no stranger to the intricacies of physical movement and to the benefits of regular stretching. After studying physiotherapy, and with her passion for dance, she discovered Pilates. We asked her our burning Pilates questions:
The Pilates programme’s main benefit is that it allows everyone to understand their own body in a balanced way. The machines are very important tools as they provide us with usable feedback on the correct movements for that person. Pilates is very important in achieving the articular stability that will bring us so many benefits for our daily movements or for any physical activity we undertake.
For more information see: The benefits of reformer Pilates.
In my opinion, it is very important to have an experienced and highly qualified instructor especially in this specific modality, where the essentials of the training are so demanding. It is also very important, for instructors, to inform the client about the kind of exercise they might require and the benefits of each movement.
Personalised training is very effective as we can achieve a specific and more intense workout with the client. However, private training with a small group can also guarantee personalised attention and a different dynamic in the class. We do work a lot with regular small private groups from 2 to 4 clients at the same time and of the same level of physical ability.
The biggest misconception about Pilates is the fact that most people think that it is a relaxing, breathing or stretching technique. The reality is that Pilates is all about body awareness with sequences adapted to all types of client. The needs of clients range from the challenges of post-surgery mobility to the intricate demands of highly competitive athletes. The most amazing aspect of Pilates is its ability to adapt to any client´s physical circumstances, needs and profile.
Yes, the regular practice of Pilates promotes long-term health benefits, as it is working simultaneously with strength, stretching and balance allowing the body to develop harmoniously and improve physical condition and body awareness.
The Pilates lifestyle promotes above all a very balanced and complete meal plan, with a variety of healthy and real food, avoiding processed foods, sugar, red meat, and toxic ingredients. We really must take great care of our body!
My favourite sequences – probably because of my acrobatic past and because they are so demanding – are the plank sequences in the reformer and the Cadillac trapeze table suspension. As well as the stretching and strength work with the chair, ladder barrel and spine corrector.
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