Pilates
The Pilates method is a non-aerobic exercise system based on six basic principles: correct breathing, concentration, body stabilization and control, flow of movement and precision in exercising. It is a method suited to anyone who desires a healthy, athletic and flexible body, regardless of age and gender.
Being a safe and mild exercise method, Pilates is also suitable for pregnant women, children and the elderly. It is also excellent for people with chronic injuries, musculoskeletal disorders and neck pain, as well as for people in the post-operative phase.
The exercises can be adapted to the individual needs of each practitioner.
The Pilates method combines its basic authentic set of exercises, with the use of props such as balls, mini-balls, weights, elastic exercise bands or “therabands”, “magic circles” and ethafoam rollers, to facilitate the exercises or to make them harder, maximizing the participation of the muscle groups used in each exercise.
The body parts to be first exercised are the belly, the waist and the buttocks, called the “power house”, as they are of great importance for the proper support of the body during our daily routine.
Benefits of the Pilates method:
- Increased lung capacity and blood circulation.
- Muscular fitness, body strengthening, striation and firming.
- Improved posture, alignment and flexibility, elasticity of the spine.
- Stamina, balance, harmony, grace, physical and mental welfare.
- Safe rehabilitation of joint and spinal injuries and generally musculoskeletal injuries.
- Freedom from pain.
Eleni Aperghi
Eleni Aperghi was born and raised in Athens.
She graduated from the Physical Education and Sports Department of the Athenian and Capodistrian University, with a specialization in gymnastics.
In 2007, she had her first encounter with yoga, and in 2008, she met Lida Shantala, a pivotal figure in her life, and has been her student ever since.
She studied yoga at the state institution Kaivalyadhama in Lonavla, India, and also graduated from Lida Shantala's Academy of Indian Classical Yoga.
In 2014, she obtained her certification as a Power Pilates advanced mat instructor under the guidance of Eugenia Papadopoulou.
From 2002 to 2007, she worked with children's gymnastics teams, competitive trampoline, diving, and swimming, while from 2007 to 2011, she worked at the Papagou Municipal Gym, taking on the yoga, Pilates, and gymnastics classes.
Since 2011, she has been working in her own space, offering private yoga and Pilates lessons to small groups or individuals.
In 2017, she returned to Shantom, taking on the children's yoga classes.