Pilates – it’s growth in India, and it’s benefits for a Balanced Lifestyle: Taru Chaddha

By Ms. Taru Chaddha, a leading voice in fitness, women’s health, Pilates, and mindful living in Delhi NCR

Flashback to 2009 when I was trying to get back to fitness routine after a long break. I had tried out a number of things by then from yoga to aerobics to partially utilizing a very expensive gym membership; but nothing seemed to stick and that’s when my research led me to Pilates. It seemed to offer everything that I wanted to personally achieve to get fit.

I took me almost a year before I found a qualified Pilates instructor in my vicinity. A few months later after having practiced Pilates I was convinced enough to undergo certification and open my own studio to make it more accessible to everyone.

With the rise in health awareness, people want a higher quality of health, vitality and stress relief. They are looking for an exercise option that fits those needs while helping them achieve their individual fitness goals.

Pilates as an exercise option is on the rise and has been ranked consistently in the fitness trends since the last 20 years.

But what is it about an exercise form that is nearly a100 years old and still continues to be popular?

Key Highlights

# World-class Pilates studio in terms of quality of training, equipment

#  Internationally trained instructors

# Founder Taru Chaddha is a leading voice in fitness, and women’s health. Pilates and mindful living in Delhi NCR/ India

#  Two In-Person Studios and Daily Live Online Session Options in both Group, Private / Semi-Private formats. Special small groups for Friends.

# The founder has trained in Stott School of Pilates Canada. Was the retained trainer for Cirque De Soliel when they visited India.

# Studio and founder have been regularly covered by mainstream media in India

Today Pilates is synonymous with flat abs and core strength. Along with making you fitter it also helps in improving posture; so not only does it make you look good, it also helps you look taller and more confident.

Pilates with its versatility is a winner to suit today’s busy lifestyles. We often have women ages 14-55 working out together in one batch since it works for every body. Owing to the focus on core strengthening it also blends well across other exercise forms like cross fit, running, dancing and yoga.

The additional focus on precision, control and breathing also helps bring a meditative quality to the exercise. The one hour that you workout its just about you and your body and state of mind- nothing else! The other significant benefit that attracts people to Pilates is how it helps tone and creates long, lean muscles without the bulk. The fact that you can go about your daily lives without feeling like you went through a grinder to burn 300 calories is cherry on the cake.

Pilates exercises are performed in a smooth, continuous motion, the quality of each movement is more important than the number of repetitions performed.

With the importance on the technique, the exercises can be easily modified across a cross section of fitness levels from cross fitters to marathon runners.

From accommodating people who are looking at rehabilitating from injuries to increasing endurance for athletes looking at getting an extra edge on their performance, everyone can benefit from it.

Joseph Pilates was a man ahead of his times. He designed over 600 exercises that can continue to challenge you on co-ordination, strength and control. So unlike other exercise forms where you eventually hit a plateau, Pilates continuously helps you discover and improve areas of fitness over decades of practice. Golfers will specially understand the thrill of perfecting a sport over a number of years!

As more and more people discover that they should be working out for the needs of their own personal health goals and not like would-be athletes, Pilates will continue to climb in popularity.

Some testimonials from those visiting RedMat and training under Ms. Taru Chaddha:

Ms. Jin Heo, a South Korean national: 

We have been receiving private group sessions since February last year. Our trainer Sharan always helps us challenge. We can feel the changes in strengh and body shape incomparably compared to the first time. Since we are Korean, we  sometimes feel a little uncomfortable in communication, but we can take enough sessions and our trainer’s demonstration we understand easily. There is no barrier to take class.

허진씨:

우리는 작년 2월부터 그룹개인레슨을 받고있습니다. 트레이너 샤란은 항상 우리가 도전할 수 있도록 도와줍니다. 처음과 비교할 수없을정도의 근력과 몸의 변화를 느끼고 있습니다. 우리가 한국인이기때문 간혹 언어로 인한 불편함을 느끼지만, 트레이너의 시범등을 통해 충분히 수업을 소화할 수 있습니다. 수업을 듣기에 어떠한 장벽도 느낄 수 없습니다.

Ms. Moon, a South Korean national:

I moved from Korea to India two years ago.  I was worried if I could continue Pilates in India, but I’m so happy to meet RedMat. This is a Pilates studio higher than anywhere in the world.

문 씨:

저는 2년 전에 한국에서 인도로 이사 왔어요.  인도에서 필라테스를 계속할 수 있을까 걱정했는데 레드매트를 만나 너무 기쁘다. 이곳은 세계 어느 곳보다 수준 높은 필라테스 스튜디오입니다.

About the author:

Taru Chaddha is a women’s fitness and wellness expert who has been actively teaching & learning Pilates for the last 10 years.  She founded  RedMat Pilates which runs the popular Pilates studios in Gurgaon offering in person and online sessions.

Along with Pilates she specialises in injury rehabilitation and has trained the elite Cirque De Soliel team when they visited India.

A TedX speaker, Taru lives in Gurgaon with her husband and two teenage kids