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Pilates isn’t just for fitness fanatics. It’s actually an accessible way to build strength in your core muscles for better posture, balance and flexibility

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance. Pilates is named for its creator, Joseph Pilates, who developed the exercises in the 1920’s as a way to help injured athletes and dancers safely return to exercise and maintain their fitness. Since then, Pilates has been adapted to suit all people.

Pilates can be an aerobic and non-aerobic form of exercise. A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control, and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and balanced flexibility and strength.

It requires concentration and focus, because you move your body through precise ranges of motion. Pilates lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups in your body in a balanced fashion. It requires concentration in finding a centre point to control your body through movement. Each exercise has a prescribed placement, rhythm and breathing pattern.

In Pilates, your muscles are never worked to exhaustion, so there is no sweating or straining, just intense concentration. The workout consists of a variety of exercise sequences that are performed in low repetitions, usually five to ten times, over a session of 45 to 90 minutes. Mat work and specialised equipment for resistance are used.

The Pilates method is taught to suit each person and exercises are regularly re-evaluated to ensure they are appropriate for that person. Due to the individual attention, this method can suit everybody from elite athletes to people with limited mobility, pregnant women and people with low fitness levels.

About Me!

PILATES / PERSONAL TRAINER / SPINNING INSTRUCTOR / PRE- AND POST NATAL

Kuku has been working in the fitness industry for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in group and private training.

She has a passion for people and teaching them to strengthen their bodies. Getting older doesn’t mean getting weaker. Kuku is in her 60’s, yet feels stronger and more comfortable in her body now than 30 years ago. Being a mother and grandmother is physically taxing and maintaining core strength and stability enables her to keep up with her energetic grandson. She loves seeing people develop an understanding of their bodies and grow in confidence as they get stronger and healthier.

Her qualifications include the international Johnny G spinning certification, Pilates qualification through Trifocus, aqua-aerobics and various other fitness qualifications in different disciplines through Virgin Active. She has taught step, pump, shape, spinning, splash, stretch, Pilates and Reformer Pilates at Virgin Active, Planet Fitness and Dream Body Fitness. She is also qualified and experienced in teaching pre- and post-natal exercises.

What are the benefits of Pilates?

By practicing Pilates regularly, you can achieve a number of health benefits, including:

Improved core strength and stability
Improved posture and balance
increased muscle strength and tone, particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the ‘core muscles’ of your body)
balanced muscular strength on both sides of your body
enhanced muscular control of your back and limbs
improved stabilisation of your spine
rehabilitation or prevention of injuries related to muscle imbalances
improved physical coordination and balance
relaxation of your shoulders, neck and upper back
safe rehabilitation of joint and spinal injuries
prevention of musculoskeletal injuries
increased lung capacity and circulation through deep breathing
improved concentration
increased body awareness

Is Pilates for everyone?

If you’re older, haven’t exercised for some time or have health problems, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Pilates is no exception. Similarly, women who are pregnant should check with their health care providers before starting Pilates or other exercise programs.

Pilates can be adapted to provide a gentle strength training and stability program, or it can be modified to give a seasoned athlete a challenging workout. If you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to go slow at first and gradually increase the intensity of your workout.

Let your instructor know if you have any conditions or previous injuries so he or she can assist you in modifying movements.

Because it’s essential to maintain the correct form to get the most benefit — and to avoid injuries — beginners should start out under the supervision of an experienced Pilates instructor.

How does Pilates fit into a total fitness program?

It is recommended that healthy adults include aerobic exercise and strength training in their fitness programs, specifically:

At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity, spread out during the course of a week
Strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week

Pilates can be a good strength training workout, but it isn’t aerobic exercise. You’ll also need to include aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, running, biking or swimming.

Testimonials

Balanced Body Studio was created during the national and international lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep a positive attitude, keeping active, strong and to have fun while doing it.

Thanks to modern technology and the internet, clients from all over the world joined in. Here are a few testimonials of people who have been clients for years, or joined in during the lockdown:

I have been attending Kuku’s gym sessions for nine years. Each session is a challenge and a complete surprise! Kuku is devoted to her clients and will make sure that every minute of the workout is accounted for. She varies the equipment she uses making it interesting and different. Personally, Kuku knows my areas of strength and, in particular, my area of weakness. Her attention to detail is precise and nothing escapes her eyes! She continually works on the areas that require extra attention to build up my body strength. Kuku has kept me going during Covid lockdown, she is reliable and always receives me in a positive and upbeat mood. She is totally committed and takes a keen interest in my physical and mental well-being.

Peta Hafner
Sandton

My sister lives in South Africa and was forever raving about her gym classes and a lovely lady holding them. During a recent lockdown, my local gym was closed and I have decided to join my sister in Zoom sessions with Kuku and see what is that all about.

Two months later and I do not want to go to my gym anymore.

Kuku is such a dedicated lady, kind, caring, her classes are never the same. Every day she has new exercises and all her sessions cover your whole body. You just need some basic equipment but Kuku always gives you alternatives.

Also very important, classes are scheduled three times a day so you can fit them in you daily schedule.

I am hoping to continue training with Kuku even after the lockdown is lifted.

Katarina Zvonar
England

I have been attending Kuku’s classes over the last 7 or so years. My initial introduction to her Saturday and Sunday Shape and Pilates classes were at the Sandton Virgin Active Club when I happened to be visiting family in Johannesburg.

Now due to lockdown, I have been doing Kuku’s classes on Zoom.

Kuku is a highly professional and competent instructor who has many years of experience. Her sessions always start on time and she clearly has a planned and structured class to present…… be it in the studio and now on Zoom.

Her knowledge of correct posture, application of the exercises and the various muscle groups involved is extensive and she always ensures that the exercise is executed to be beneficial and safe for the various participants.

She is more than aware of her groups’ ability and individual needs, and gives options for the exercise to be effective for each of her participants.

Over this period of lockdown, I have been consistently amazed as to how Kuku has kept up our involvement and energy levels! Each class is different, be it with the equipment used, and also alternated by high energy, stretch, Pilates, or general movement classes. She is always spot on with the number of reps, and is constantly reminding us to breathe correctly!

Kuku could not be a more caring, kind and considerate instructor but also having interacted with her out of the class, she is a genuine and thoughtful woman.

I would not hesitate to recommend her as a personal trainer, or as a class instructor.

Pippa Schou
Cape Town

I suffer from lumbar radiculopathy in my lower back and despite being reasonably active, most mornings used to be a struggle getting out of bed, even when sitting for extended periods, such as driving long distances or being office bound, getting up used to be a painful movement. I visited a chiropractor at least once a month, sometimes twice a month to seek relief from the constant pain.

I considered myself reasonably fit, that was until I started doing Pilatus with Kuku, having done weight training most of my life, I thought this would be a walk in the park ! Wrong assumption !

The benefit of doing Pilatus with a skilled instructor such as Kuku is tremendous, my core is now much stronger and support my body much better, the pain has almost disappear, and as I make more progress and getting stronger, the pain is reducing. I don’t roll out of bed anymore in the mornings, or out of the vehicle after a long drive !!

Kuku is a dedicated and knowledgeable instructor, very focused on her clients (or rather patients), and very flexible in her instruction classes and always find new ways to keep exercise interesting.

I recommend working with Kuku to improve your flexibility and mobility through Pilatus classes.

Kobus Coetzer
Johannesburg

I have had the privilege of training under Kuku Edeling for the past 10 years. Kuku’s commitment to excellence is unparalleled!! She has such a wealth of knowledge & understanding of the human body. Kuku’s passion & unwavering dedication to all her students, is evident in her huge following! My continued & improved strength, fitness & flexibility are due to Kuku’s nurturing guidance.

Denise Hurwitz
Johannesburg

I am so glad I am able to attend Kuku’s classes via zoom from Lusaka, Zambia. I do body conditioning, stretching and Pilates classes with Kuku. Since I started with her, my muscles are well toned and my flexibility has greatly improved. Each session is unique and challenging with an option of taking it in the morning or evening. I always start my day with one of her classes which just sets my day to a good start with high energy levels.

I really just love her sessions and to top it all up she is such a sweet spirited person. Kuku helps take care of body, mind and soul. Thank you Kuku.

Mary Mfula
Lusaka, Zambia

Kuku has been the most inspired, consistent gym instructor for me for over the past 6+ years. Every class is creative, and different and using a variety of equipment to help get one into shape and keep up a level of fitness. She has a heart of gold, and her energy and enthusiasm is fabulous! I can always truly say at the end of another lesson, “that was fantastic”!

Monique Mac Arthur

Johannesburg

Kuku is a very engaging and enthusiastic instructor. Despite living in Melbourne and being in a different time zone, I have still enjoyed participating in her classes regularly. Kuku is more than happy to adapt any movements for injured participants.

Liora Mervis

Melbourne, Australia

Kuku has been my Pilates instructor for the past five years. She is so caring and encouraging and always goes the extra mile. I can highly recommend her for anyone who is interested in improving their body condition as well as wanting to get those core muscles working.

Shelle Bloch

Johannesburg

I really enjoyed being able to exercise at home while under the guidance of a qualified instructor, and was motivated to work out even on days when I otherwise might not have. Kuku’s classes were fun, energetic and varied. She used apparatus like resistance bands, sliders and weights in many of her classes, making sure to recommend household substitutes for each apparatus so that one could still participate fully in each class.

Jody Rosenberg

New York, USA

BALANCED BODY STUDIO

Contact Us

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Email

kuku@balancedbody.co.za

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Phone

+27 84 040 0040

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Address

Johannesburg

Gauteng