People across the world are embracing a healthier lifestyle

Pilates therapy is a low-impact, lifetime system comprising over 500 controlled exercises which engages the mind and conditions the body. It increases flexibility, which helps avoid injuries. The focus, though, is to strengthen the “powerhouse” or core (midsection), allowing several muscle groups to work simultaneously through smooth continuous motion.

Pilates is used extensively worldwide as a conditioning process for various sportsmen and women such as golfers, athletes, dancers and rugby players. This is due to the fact that Pilates improves many of the same areas needed to become a good sportsmen, including: focus, posture, movement from the centre of the body, improved flexibility, strength and enhanced balance. Some of the well-known golfers who do Pilates: Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, David Duval, Lee Westwood and Betsy King.

Pilates is also an excellent conditioning system for injured people who require rehabilitation. Many back problems have improved with this method of training. It is also practiced by many people to just tone the body and improve posture.

The Pilates Studio at the Royal Retreat offers individual Pilates sessions as well as group classes, consisting of maximum 4 participants per group. Sessions last an hour each and various apparatus is used for this purpose: mats, balls, magic circles, roller foams, Reformer, Cadillac/Trapeze Table, small and large barrels, wall units, Wunda and Electric chairs. These sessions can be progressed from beginner, intermediate to advanced, depending on the progress of the client and the appropriateness and health status/fitness level of the client. Detailed record keeping of activities and progress are kept per client.

Training needs to be done at least twice a week to be beneficial.

Contact Royal Retreat on 011- 485 3496 for session times still available:

GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEMŽ - this "System" is served by a specially designed piece of exercise equipment, which is built around the human body with all regards to total freedom of movement, no restriction to speed and versatility, and enhances rather than distracts from coordination, strength and flexibility. The system embraces key principles found in gymnastics, swimming, etc, through which major muscle groups are worked interdependently and in an integrated manner. Currently, the system is used worldwide with great success amongst the circle of sports people including golfers, dancers, rehabilitation facilities, as well as general conditioning amongst people of all walks of life, from children to senior citizens. Detailed record keeping of activities and progress will be kept per client.

Training needs to be done at least twice a week to be beneficial. One hour individual sessions on the pulley system can be accommodated.

GYROTONICŽ APPLICATIONS FOR GOLF
Conventional strength training has limitations for golfers because flexibility is not enough.

Flexibility training on its own is not enough either, because a great deal of strength is needed to swing a golf club well. Conventional strength training, core conditioning, and other fitness disciplines do not result in achieving the perfect golf swing. These traditional methods are one dimensional and do not address the combination of abilities needed to correct the golf swing. GYROTONICŽ training gives golfers the best combination possible of strength, flexibility and speed. It works for golfers of all ages, fitness levels and handicaps from kids as young as 6 and golfers as old as 83. GYROTONICŽ training allows golfers to get to fitness levels that other training systems just can't match. It is the perfect complement for golf. The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM has multiple exercises for every part of the golf game. It will help you increase and strengthen your hip and shoulder turn, improve the rotation of your arms, strengthen your wrists and forearms.

BENEFITS

With Gyrotonic training, golfers will
            ˇ Play more consistently
            ˇ Hit the ball further and straighter
            ˇ Swing the golf club faster
            ˇ Improve ball striking ability
            ˇ Have better contact and directional control of the ball
            ˇ Play injury-free and enjoy the game more. It helps people get better faster!

The fundamentals of the Gyrotonic Expansion System consists of a totally new exercise system to exercise the musculature while mobilizing and articulating the joints.

The uniqueness of the System is that it simultaneously stretches and strengthens the body with minimal effort, while increasing range of motion and developing coordination.

Unlike most conventional exercise machines where linear or isolated movement patterns are performed creating uncoordinated strength, the patented Gyrotonic Expansion System emphasizes multiple joint articulations without compression, thus strengthening ligaments and each attachment.

The motion patterns are natural, turbulence free and pure with no interruption, creating a bridge between contraction and extension through the rotating movement of the joints, resulting in a balanced support system for the skeleton.

The exercises are performed through spherical awareness and circularity of movement, enabling the user to perform under permanent guidance, variable controlled resistance, and real sports simulation with no limitation to speed and impact.

Each exercise is synchronized with a corresponding breathing pattern and is performed with either a rhythm or melodic rhythmical expression, creating a gentle or vigorous cardiovascular-aerobic stimulation, depending on the intensity and speed of the execution.

Special attention is paid to increase the functional capacity of the spine, resulting in a superior and well-proportioned body, which is significantly less prone to injuries. It also reduces long term accumulation of micro trauma the physique obtains, and extraordinary flexibility and essential strength, culminating in an organic rejuvenation, increased vitality and vigor.

To be entitled to professional use of the Gyrotonic Expansion System, you must be a certified Gyrotonic trainer.

Sandra Coetzee is a registered Biokineticist and a certified Gyrotonic trainer. She also attended a Gyrotonic Applications for Golf Workshop in Castle Rock, Colorado, USA, presented by David Rasmussen, a PGA Tour Instructor. David has 30 years of golf teaching experience and was trained by Hank Haney, a former PGA Teacher of the year, who currently works with Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara. Gyrotonic training has been big in the USA, UK, Europe and the East in the past decade. Golf professionals in the USA are using this system with excellent results.

Contact Royal Retreat on 011- 485 3496 for session times still available:

GYROTONIC and GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp, USA, and are used with their permission:

BODY SCULPTING WRAP
This body contouring wrap treatment results in visible centimeter loss and skin tightening after just one wrap. The cream is taken directly into the cell region and instantly affects the vasodilation of the blood vessels, thus increasing the circulation and removal of waste fluids and toxins. There is no induced perspiration, so no loss of body fluids is effected.

SPORTS MASSAGE
Aromatherapy massage reduces the levels of harmful stress hormones in the body. It stimulates the blood circulation, increasing the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Lymphatic flow is stimulated, improving tissue drainage. Components of the essential oils used are absorbed by the skin. Much of the volatile elements of the oils are inhaled, sending an electrochemical message to the limbic system in the brain. In this way the production of euphoric, relaxing, sedative or stimulating neurochemicals is motivated, causing many beneficial mental and emotional effects.

FACE MASQUES
This masque is scientifically designed to combat wrinkles, blackheads and enlarged pores, at their source! It adeptly constricts the skin without dehydration to clean, tone and tighten. It also promotes circulation and removed contaminants from deep within the skin tissue itself. Specialised amino acids, enzymes and Vitamin C work together to restore skin elasticity and resilience.

GROUP YOGA CLASSES
To improve flexibility and breathing, as well as relaxation. One hour group classes are conducted outside in the garden gazebo in a tranquil setting. Beginners, intermediate and advanced yogis all welcome.

Contact Royal Retreat on 011- 485 3496 for session times still available: