Worth leaving the sofa for?

Will Zoom Pilates take off?

A ‘normal’ Pilates class at London-based studio Triyoga… but it’s taught online, so you follow along in your living room. Features editor Laura Powell gives it a whirl

Uber-chi-chi yoga and Pilates studio Triyoga was founded in 2000 and now has five branches around London. But an unexpected silver lining of lockdown is that anyone around the country can now attend because it has started broadcasting live classes online. It’s all done via Zoom, the video-conferencing platform everyone’s talking about, which is so simple, even technophobes like me can work it out.

So how does it work?

I sign up and pay for a class on triyoga.co.uk, then the instructor emails me a hyperlink before the class starts. I click on the link and, by the power of Zoom, I can see my instructor Tony in his stylish living room. The twist is… he can see me and the other 48 participants as well. Meaning that he can teach the class, but also keep an eye on us – and yell when someone needs to adjust their position. The downside? We can see each other too, albeit in tiny windows... so I slap on some foundation for the first time in weeks.

How does it compare to going in person?

The quality of teaching is no different, but the atmosphere isn’t quite the same. The Triyoga studio in London smells beautifully of incense, people waft around barefoot in Lululemon leggings, and they serve a mean vegan frittata in the café. At home I’m on an old mousy-smelling Pilates mat, and when I’m in plank position, I notice an old crisp packet under the sofa.

What’s the set-up of the class?

It’s a 75-minute class and it’s suitable for all levels – though because you’re watching the instructor on a tiny screen, it does help if you’re familiar with the moves. We start off with a warm-up, lots of pelvic-floor work, low bridges... and more planks than my weary stomach muscles can take. Then we lie sideways for some leg raises, followed by standing stretches.

How should I angle my laptop?

With great care, if you want to maintain your dignity. My biggest mistake was putting it on a low table at the top of my mat, which meant that when I was on all-fours, I was eyeball-to-webcam, and when I was doing floor exercises, my bottom was pointed right at the camera. Next time I’ll position my mat next to my laptop, so he can see my full posture, side-on.

Any technical glitches?

Just one. But I clicked on the hyperlink again and got up and running within seconds. Straight back into those damned planks.

What good does Pilates do?

Plenty. It’s great for core strength, balance, flexibility, posture… The class successfully unknotted my upper back, which was very tight after working from home on a hard dining chair. Plus it does no end of good for corona-induced stress levels. Classes from £7, when bought as a bundle; triyoga.co.uk

back straight your Keep Engage your core