FAQ’s

For answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Pilates and Yoga classes, please read on.

General

What is yoga?

Yoga as a practice originated in India at least 2,500 years ago. The best known description of yoga from the ancient texts is that it is a process of stilling the turbulence of the mind to create mental clarity. There are many different ways of doing this, but the most common in the West involves working with the physical body in order to bring it to a state of effortless ease, which prevents it from distracting our mental calm. This is primarily done through putting the body into a variety of postures—known as asanas—usually combined with specific awareness of the breath.

What are the benefits of practicing yoga?

Purely on a physical level, regular practice of yoga asanas will help bring about increased stamina, strength and flexibility. These are worthwhile by-products, but they are not the specific goal of yoga—by stilling the mind, we are able to live more in the present moment, and to be more aware of the true nature or our selves and the world around us. In fact, one of the best reasons of all for practising yoga regularly is simply that it makes you feel great!

Who is yoga suitable for?

Yoga is not competitive and is open to everyone—young or old, flexible or stiff, athletic or deskbound, male or female. Although there are spiritual elements to yoga, yoga is not a religion and does not require you to subscribe to any particular set of beliefs. All yoga requires you to believe in is yourself.

What does a yoga class at Piloga generally involve?

Although posture work forms the core of yoga classes at Piloga, many also include specific breathing exercises—known as pranayama—reflecting the yogic (and western scientific) belief that the state of our breath has a direct influence on the state of our mind. Some classes will also introduce you to seated meditation. All will end with a short period of complete relaxation: an important part of the class which helps integrate all that has gone before.

How do I know which style and level of class to choose? 

Over the centuries, many different styles of yoga practice have developed and we offer classes in most of the major contemporary posture based styles, for students of all levels of experience. Browse our yoga styles  for more information or contact our reception team who will be happy to advise you.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a full-body exercise system that uses a series of machines and exercises. It works the entire body, both the right and left sides, in unison. It focuses primarily on what Joseph Pilates called the “powerhouse” or the group of muscles that begins two inches below your navel, goes two inches above your navel and then wraps completely around your front and your back-kind of like a corset. It also includes your buttocks. With Pilates, no matter what exercise you’re doing, you are focusing on this powerhouse area.

How is Pilates different from other forms of exercise?

Pilates is different from most exercises out there because it’s non-impact and safe, and it really works on using the body as a whole. You’re either lying on your back, on your side or kneeling on the floor where it’s safe. When you move the body, you’re trying to move it from the powerhouse, using your abdominal wall to protect your back. You’re also working the body very evenly and symmetrically, making sure one side is not working harder than the other.

What would you say is the key difference between yoga and Pilates?

There’s definitely a mind-body connection and a very similar fluidity in both. But one difference is that there’s a whole line of equipment in Pilates that doesn’t exist in yoga, so it provides a different angle: You’re doing exercises with the assistance and resistance of springs and pulleys. The springs may assist you or they may make an exercise more difficult, depending on the exercise.

How do I know if Pilates will benefit me?

Pilates can help you lose weight, get relief from back pain, tone your trouble spots, or recover from injury. It’s also being used more and more as therapy to help people with certain serious illnesses such as cancer [read more about Pilates therapy for cancer patients here].

Pilates machines look like torture devices! Why would I want to get on something like that?

Some Pilates equipment can look like some kind of medieval torture device, which is ironic because it makes you feel so good. The most commonly used pieces are the reformer, the cadillac and the mat, but there are several other small pieces of equipment, too. The reformer is a rectangular frame with four legs and a cushioned mat, or carriage, that slides back and forth on wheels with the resistance of springs and pulleys. The mat — the ideal apparatus for Pilates because there’s nothing helping you. It’s only you, your body weight and your alignment making the exercises fluid, controlled and precise.

How can beginners get the most benefit from Pilates?

Be consistent, especially in the beginning. Don’t just try it once. Give it a few shots and do it in succession. Make it your reward, your break from a hectic day. Also, listen to your body and really concentrate — it makes for a better workout.

Attending our classes

Can I book a class in advance? 

Reservations for group classes and private sessions can be made in person or via telephone with the reception. To ensure availability, pre-registering is strongly encouraged. To change or cancel a booking you must provide a minimum 12-hour notice for group classes & a 24-hour notice for private and semi-private sessions. We appreciate that unforeseen circumstances may prevent you from attending your session. However, this policy is vital for the good functioning of the studio, the trainers and wait-listed clients. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy.  Piloga does not offer refunds except in the event you are deemed medically unfit to participate in Pilates or Yoga for the foreseeable future, in which case you will receive a refund for your pack, less AED100 administrative costs.

How much time should I allow before class?

We recommend you arrive at least 5-10 minutes before class, in order to give you time to check in at reception, change and set yourself up.  At the class start time, we reserve the right to give latecomers’ spots to clients who are present in the studio on standby waiting for an available space. In case you are late by less than 5 minutes and space is still available, the reception will allow you to enter the class. Latecomers by more than 5 minutes will not be permitted to enter the session regardless of space availability.

What should I wear? 

Dress in comfortable clothing in which you are able to stretch and move freely. Classes are barefoot, and shoes are not allowed in the studio.

Do you provide equipment? 

Yes! Pilates and Yoga props such as blocks, bricks, straps, blankets and bolsters  are provided free of charge. Many students prefer to practise on their own mat — mats are available for purchase at reception or you’re welcome to bring yours with you.  Mats and towels are available for rent for AED 10 and AED 5 respectively per class.

Should I eat before class?  

Like all exercise, Pilates & Yoga are best practised on an empty stomach. We recommend that you do not eat for at least 2 hours prior to class, though juice or fruit are OK if you need a quick energy boost. We suggest that you drink plenty of water prior to class, but avoid drinking during class.

What if I have an injury or medical condition?

Please inform the teacher of any injuries or medical conditions (including pregnancy or suspected pregnancy) before the class starts. This is really important as it helps the teacher know how to assist you, give you modifications and keep you safe. We, and our teachers, reserve the right to ask you not to participate in a class if we feel that it would be inappropriate because of an injury or medical condition. If you are uncertain about whether or not yoga is suitable for you, please contact us.

I’m under 18 years old, can I come to class? 

Our adult classes are only suitable for over 16 year olds. If you are between 16–18 years of age and would like to come to any classes/workshops, you need to be accompanied by someone over 18.

Our Studio

Where can I leave my bags and valuables?  

Lockers are provided in the changing rooms and there is shelving in the studios themselves for the storage of small bags. We strongly recommend taking your valuables into the studio—Piloga is not responsible for any loss or damage to items during your class, whether or not in lockers.

Are mobile phones allowed in the Studio?  

Both Pilates and Yoga place great emphasis on concentration and inner stillness. Mobile phones must be switched off or completely silenced at all times (including in changing rooms and reception areas). This includes turning off any vibration mode.

Do you offer private Pilates and Yoga tuition?  

YES we do.  Please contact the reception for more details.

Privacy Policy

Piloga takes the security and privacy of our customers very seriously. We do not share any information with third parties, nor do we collect or retain any information other than that necessary for us to provide our services to you.

Use of personal information

We will use your personal information necessary for us to provide our services to you. We do not share any information with unrelated third parties nor do we collect or retain any information other than as required for the provision of our products or services. Information collected will be stored securely and securely destroyed if it is no longer required by Piloga.

Third parties

Where we engage third party contractors (e.g. teachers and therapists) to perform services for us, those third party contractors may be required to handle your personal information. Under these circumstances, those third party contractors must safeguard this information and must only use it for the purposes for which it was supplied, although we are not responsible for ensuring this.

MindBody Online

Piloga makes use of third party software to manage bookings, such as MindBody Online.

Security of information

Personal information collected by Piloga and our website is stored in secure operating environments that are not available to the public. Piloga will protect your personal information no matter where we process or store your data.

Changes to our policy

From time to time, it may be necessary for us to review and revise this policy. We reserve the right to change our policy at any time and, should this occur, the amendment will be posted on our website.