About

About me

Steve Lister discovered Pilates as a means of addressing injuries incurred through years of rowing and immediately developed a passion for it. The precision and control which are fundamental to the method appealed to his meticulous nature and as someone who had spent years studying and teaching movement, the understanding and potential for improvement that Pilates offers was compelling. Within a year of his very first lesson Steve had begun his training as a Pilates Matwork Instructor.

With his strong background in human neuro-muscular and musculo-skeletal biomechanics from doctoral and postdoctoral research, Steve was able to train with the esteemed APPI (Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute) who provide Pilates instructor training targetted for healthcare, rehabilitation and sports conditioning.

Having qualifying as a Matwork Instructor in 2016, Steve redoubled his efforts and went on to study the APPI Pilates Equipment repertoire, qualifying in 2018 to teach Reformer, Cadillac, Split Pedal Chair and Arc Barrel Pilates. Steve has also taken additional training in several specialist areas:

Additional training
Pilates for Runners
3D Standing Pilates
Pilates for Scoliosis
Neuropilates
Ante and Post-Natal Pilates

About Finesse Pilates

Finesse Pilates provides Pilates lessons in the North West Wiltshire area. Classes currently run in Yatton Keynell and Castle Combe. Class sizes are kept small both to facilitate understanding of the specific strengths, weaknesses and needs of each participant and to permit individual guidance and feedback during the exercises. For bespoke training built around the individual, one to one or duet lessons are available by arrangement.

Studio Pilates
Here at the Finesse Pilates Studio in Yatton Keynell, we can cater for up to two students at a time working on Reformer, Trapeze Table, Combo Chair and Arc Barrel.

Matwork Classes
Classes are currently run in Castle Combe Village Hall and Yatton Keynell Village Hall. Class size is limited to 12 so that each student can receive the benefit of individual guidance and feedback throughout the lesson.

What is Pilates?

In the words of it's creator, Joseph Pilates, it "is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit. Through Contrology you first purposefully acquire complete control of your own body and then through proper repetition of its exercises you gradually and progressively acquire that natural rhythm and coordination associated with all your subconscious activities.”
Pilates is a mind and body conditioning program aimed at improving core stability, strength, balance, posture and flexibility, resulting in optimal body performance. Every movement flows from the deep inner core muscles, which are conditioned and strengthened using sequences of body movements that use gravity, body weight and carefully designed equipment that can create resistance or assistance as needed. These movements are coordinated with breathing, postural correction, and flexibility.

Key principles include:
Precision
Control
Breathing
Centring
Focus
Flow
Dissociation
Integration

Pilates Apparatus

Matwork is just one aspect of Pilates. Joe Pilates created many pieces of large studio equipment to develop and enhance his method. These amazing pieces of equipment can be used either to support and assist in the Pilates motions, or to resist and challenge. They permit you to move in ways which would otherwise not be possible and whatever level you may be at, Equipment Pilates will add a whole new dimension to your training.

Reformer

The best known and most versatile piece of Pilates Studio equipment, the reformer uses a sliding carriage, adjustable footbar, variable spring resistance/assistance with ropes, pulleys and straps to provide hundreds of exercises and variations.

Combo Chair

A spring loaded split pedal provides challenging exercises in any position. The Combo Chair repertoire is some of the toughest Pilates has to offer.

Arc Barrel

A deceptively simple design, the arc barrel is ideal for enhancing stretching movements throughout the body and for challenging control by reducing the base of support under the body.

Trapeze Table

Springs, straps, bars, fuzzies and trapeze, all mounted to a solid frame. This is the largest piece of Pilates equipment. Exercises range from the smallest of movements to the most expansive stretches and are performed in every orientation, even hanging upside-down by the ankles.

Frequently asked questions

Isn't it just like Yoga?
No! It may have some superficial similarities when viewed from the outside, but Yoga and Pilates are very different, Pilates focuses more on dynamic movements rather than static poses for example and emphasises working from a strong core.
There is no spirituality in Pilates and less emphasis on flexibility and we won't spend 10 minutes of the lesson lying down and breathing.
Isn't it for old people?
Well, yes... plus top level rugby teams, Olympic athletes, professional dancers. Pilates is for every body (although they won't all be doing the same exercises...)
Isn't it just stretching?
Absolutely not. It's a body conditioning system designed to strengthen, mobilise, improve coordination, balance, and yes also to increase flexibility (although we achieve that through full range movements and eccentric loading rather than passive stretches).
Is it hard?
It's as hard as you make it. As a rule of thumb, if it seems easy that means you're doing it wrong. The exercises are aimed to challenge you both mentally and physically. As you improve, harder exercises are introduced in order to maintain that challenge throughout. You should always feel challenged but never overwhelmed.
I'm out of shape and inflexible. Can I do it?
Yes, definitely. Pilates is the ideal place to start. It can help to increase your flexibility and condition your body, preparing you for whatever else you want to do with it.
We focus on movements, not poses, aiming to improve the quality of the movement right up to the end range that your body allows. It doesn't matter if you can only bend 10 degrees or if you can tie your legs around your head (in fact it may actually be easier if you are inflexible).
Who is it good for?
Pilates is great for anyone who wants to make the other aspects of their life a little easier. This might be obvious things like running faster or reducing your golf handicap but it can also be more subtle such as the core and and shoulder strength a pianist needs to maintain playing posture for long periods of time. Walking further without low back pain is a common goal or helping recovery from injury or illness. As we age Pilates helps to gain a little strength and flexibility back or to prevent us from losing it in the first place. Think of Pilates as maintenance for your body.

People that Pilates can help include:
The middle-aged and elderly
The desk-bound and inactive
The pregnant and post-natal
Those needing pre- and post-operation strengthening
Those referred by their doctor, physio, osteopath, chiropractor or other practitioner

And for those who suffer…
Back pain, back-ache and other back problems
Scoliosis/curvature of the spine
Hypermobility
Poor posture and rounded shoulders
Neck and shoulder pains or problems
Stiffness, joint pains and muscle pains, whether caused by arthritis/ osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia or other things
Injuries: sports injuries and others
RSI
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Whiplash
Stress