Onyx: Where Fitness Meets Style

Onyx was founded by Alison Banks, a Pilates studio owner and interior designer who was dissatisfied with the Pilates equipment available in the market. She set out to create a contemporary brand that merges functionality with minimalistic, stylish design. Onyx’s range of fitness accessories seamlessly complements elegant spaces and activewear, making them a favorite among wellness enthusiasts in the UK, Europe, and beyond.

Launching this spring, Onyx offers an affordable, high-quality collection tailored to both studios and individuals. With a color palette featuring vibrant blue, tranquil green, harmonious beige, timeless grey, and practical charcoal, Onyx’s products are designed to empower fitness journeys while embodying sleek, modern aesthetics.

Key Onyx Pilates Products

Explore Onyx’s essential Pilates tools, designed to elevate your fitness routine:

Yoga & Pilates Mats

• 5mm – £69.99, 8mm – £89.99

Introducing the Onyx curved mat – a perfect blend of comfort and style. Ideal for yoga, Pilates, home workouts, or rehabilitation, this mat enhances your space with its contemporary design. Crafted with waterproof, non-slip material and available in two thicknesses (5mm and 8mm), this mat supports your body through every stretch and pose.

Bracelet Weights

• £34.99

Onyx’s sleek bracelet weights add elegance to your workout. Easily slip them over your wrists or ankles for a quick boost to any activity. Designed to match your gym outfits with Onyx’s signature color scheme, these luxury weights are both functional and stylish.

Hand Weights

• 1kg – £34.99, 2kg – £44.99

These easy-to-hold hand weights are perfect for enhancing your strength and fitness routine. Available in 1kg and 2kg, they help improve posture, build muscle, and define your physique.

Pilates Balls

• £14.99

Onyx has reinvented the Pilates ball with a focus on core strength, balance, and rehabilitation. Lightweight yet durable, this ball is a versatile addition to your Pilates, barre, yoga, or rehab sessions. Each ball includes a pump for easy inflation to suit your workout needs.

Ring Weights

• 2kg – £24.99, 3.5kg – £34.99, 5kg – £44.99

Onyx’s circular ring weights are the ideal addition to any workout. Available in three sizes, these smooth, versatile rings are excellent for twisting movements, helping to tone your abs and arms. They also make a stylish set of three for your home or studio.

Resistance Bands

• £24.99

A workout classic, but refined. Onyx’s resistance bands come in a set of three with varying difficulty levels, allowing you to progressively challenge your muscles. With anti-slip silicone dots, these bands stay securely in place, making them perfect for building tone and working multiple muscle groups.

Yoga & Pilates Blocks

• £19.99

Onyx’s circular yoga blocks are designed for both beauty and function. Made from dense foam and designed to fit your hand like a glove, these blocks help you deepen your stretches and improve flexibility with ease.

Onyx is revolutionizing Pilates equipment in the UK with its focus on high-quality materials, minimalist design, and affordable price points. Perfect for wellness enthusiasts looking to enhance their fitness journeys, Onyx is designed to empower your body and elevate your lifestyle.

For more information, visit Onyx Fitness and follow them on Instagram @onyx.wellbeing

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Seventeen years after founding the Natural Fitness Centre, Alison Brown has decided that the time is right for her to move on to pastures new. Tracy and Tim Fuller are proud to have had the opportunity to now take over the centre, and to continue with the excellent customer service, therapies and classes that Alison had started. Tracy is already well known there, having worked as the centre’s Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach for a number of years. 
 
Many therapists offer their expertise at the Natural Fitness Centre, and include an Acupuncturist, Osteopath, Kinesiologist, Physiotherapist, Massage therapists, Nutritionist, Reflexologist, Homeopath, EFT practitioner, Hypnotherapist, and more.

The Natural Fitness Centre holds the premier Pilates studio in Eastbourne, offering a vast array of classes for every level. If you are a new client come and try a class FREE in January. Places are limited so get in touch soon.
 
The start of the New Year will bring in some changes, namely renovation and decoration of the interior, which will be happening in January during off-peak times so as not to impact on the tranquillity of the centre.

Special Offer –  £5 off for first visits to therapists during the month of January. Please make sure that you mention this article when booking.
 
Our £5 discount is available for all therapies, and if you see more than one therapist you will receive £5 off each. Please note this offer is only available if you have not seen that particular therapist before.
  
For more information, or to make a booking please call 01323 732024 or email info@ naturalfitnesscentre.co.uk
naturalfitnesscentre.co.uk

Natural Fitness Centre, Eastbourne – class timetable 
 
PILATES
Monday 
1035 Improver
1145 Improver 
1800 Improver
1905 Beginners
 
Tuesday
0830 Beginners
0935 Improver plus
1040 Improver
1900 Beginner
2010 Beginner
 
Wednesday
0830 Improver
0935 Beginner
 
Thursday
0830 Beginner
1040 Beginner
1140 Improver
1800 Improver
 
Friday
0830 Beginner
0935 Improver plus
1040 Improver
1730 Ante Natal
 
Saturday
1100 Mixed
 
BODY CONDITIONING FOR THE OVER 50’s
0930 on a Monday and 0935 on a Thursday.
 
YOGA
Tuesdays 1145 and 1800
Wednesday 1040 and 1330
Thursday 1645 and 1915
Friday 1145 and 1800

PREGNANCY YOGA
Friday 1300
naturalfitnesscentre.co.uk

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Amazing teachers delivered so many different styles of classes; it was a real treat for all – body, soul and spirit. The classes you could sample varied from gentle restorative classes, to highly physical dynamic classes; from pilates to aerial yoga (performed in silk hammocks)! There were many wonderful treatments on offer, keeping the massage therapists busy all day, soothing achey muscles, and delivering just what people needed. To pamper yourself even more you could browse all the unique stalls and treat yourself to a very special gift reminding you of this superb day. There were beautiful clothes, hand made gifts, art and cosmetics.

Eva Kristlova and Wenche Beard, the organisers of the event, and their fabulous team of teachers and therapists were looking after everyone who came through the door with a big smile on their faces, diving into the community spirit and sprinkling the magic of yoga and love all over the Enterprise Centre. This was truly a day to remember, treasure and repeat! Everybody left inspired, rejuvenated and energised, and asking for more treats from the Yoga Life Studio.

For more information on yoga and its’ benefits please visit our website or email info@ yoga-life.co.uk or call us on 07812 052742

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After the great success of our first Yoga Show in June 2015 we decided to make this an annual event! So pencil this date in, put your wellbeing first and come to the Enterprise Centre to enjoy a day full of inspiration! Choose from the wide variety of classes and therapies and make your day one to remember.

We will be running our classes all day at three different locations, all on the top floor of the Enterprise Centre. The taster classes will only last 30 minutes so you can try as many as you like. You can try many different styles of yoga, pilates or treat yourself to a lovely taster massage. Meet the teachers, ask questions, feel free to browse our exhibitors’ stalls and prepare to have a great day.

The investment into yourself is only £5 (if you are taking part in the classes) and if you are just coming to have a look you can come for free.

Here is our provisional timetable. Please check with our website for up to date information.

MAIN STUDIO

10.00 – 10.30 Yoga Swings – Eva Kristlova
10.45 – 11.15 Pilates for back pain – Dorina Papai
11.30 – 12.00 Yin Yoga – Katherine Salter
12.15 – 13.00 Playing the Edge – Balances Seskin Kelly
13.10 – 14.00 Kirtan – Tribal Bhakti
14.10 – 14.40 Sahaja Yoga – Nicolas Granby
14.40 – 15.10 Spirituality Matters – Brenda Bruzon
15.20 – 15.50 Yoga with Essential Oils – Blanka Priddle
16.05 – 16.35 Chair Yoga – Laura Kaminickaite
16.45 – 17.15 EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) – Nicolas Granby
17.30 – 18.00 Healing Sounds – Penelope Coomber
18.15 – 18.45 Restorative Yoga – Eva Kristlova
19.00 – 19.30 Yoga Nidra – Eva Kristlova
19.45 – 20.30 Kundalini Yoga – Shabd Guru Amrit Singh
20.45 – 21.30 Crystal Bowls Sound Bath – Wenche Beard

TOP FLOOR

09.00 – 09.30 Power Yoga – Katherine Salter
09.45 – 10.15 Back 2 Basics Yoga – Jonathan Stone
10.30 – 11.00 Vinyasa Flow Yoga – Fiona Daly
11.15 – 11.45 Ashtanga Yoga – Kate van der Meer
12.00 – 12.30 Luna Rhythms Yoga – Sally Sampson
13.30 – 14.00 Ashtanga Yoga – Karen Bonicci
14.15 – 14.45 Hatha Yoga for All – Simon Bolton
15.00 – 15.30 Partner Yoga – Eva Kristlova
15.45 – 16.15 Anusara Yoga -Olga Oakenfold
16.30 – 17.00 Mindful Flow Yoga -Wenche Beard
17.15 – 17.45 Hatha Yoga – Victoria Ferguson
18.00 – 18.30 Pop Pilates for Beginners – Dorina Papai
19.30 – 20.00 Egyptian Dance – Linda Parker

STUDIO 2

10.30 – 11.00 Author reading & book signing – Visits to the Glade
13.30 – 14.00 Heartfulness Meditation – Annalisa & Charu
14.15 – 14.45 Hatha Yoga for All – Laura Kaminickaite
15.00 – 15.30 Yoga with Sound – Penelope Coomber
15.45 – 16.15 Vinyasa Flow Yoga – Fiona Daly
16.30 – 17.00 Heartfulness Meditation – Annalisa & Charu

Eva Kristlova and Wenche Beard, the owners of the Yoga Life Studio, and our fabulous team of teachers are looking forward to welcoming you and looking after you on the day.

For more information on our classes and yoga benefits please visit our website yoga-life.co.uk
or email info@ yoga-life.co.uk or call us on 07812 052742

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What is Intuitive Horse? Equine Assisted Personal Develoment through experiential learning. We work with horses, from the ground, to explore our emotions and behaviours. Horses are great mirrors for reflecting back our internal states which, in turn, help us to become aware of both our obvious and subtle behaviours. By becoming aware of certain behaviours a person can decide whether the behaviour is favourable to continue with or whether it would be beneficial to explore different ways of being. As new ways are explored the horse responds, giving instant feedback, thereby helping the individual self-manage.

It’s well known that horses can provide a calming presence, helping people feel calmer in themselves. As horses do not judge us, this often provides a space for people to feel safe and start to relax when around the horses, which alone can help dissolve any tension being held in the body. Often we hold tension in our body for a number of reasons; injury, stress, emotional situations. If the tension isn’t released, after some time the body may start to become out of balance and result in physical discomfort. Pilates is very good at helping to release body tension through gentle exercises and stretches.

You don’t need to have had any experience with horses or Pilates to attend this workshop, and no riding is involved. If you’d like to learn more please visit intuitivehorse.co.uk and abs-solutebalance.co.uk or call Emma on 07825 036301

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It has been proved women who have a good pelvic floor in pregnancy, do have a shorter 2nd stage in labour. The pelvic floor should be addressed, so too should the shoulder and hip stability, helping create a strong “trunk”. If this type of exercise is followed both before and during pregnancy it can have a positive effect on the mother both in terms of reducing back pain, postural management, pelvic floor function, and should not be detrimental to the health and well being of the growing foetus. This in turn can have positive benefits for the Mum after delivery both physically and psychologically.

Providing these exercises are appropriate for each stage/trimester of pregnancy, you will be able to prepare muscles and allow yourself more stamina to cope, on a day-to-day basis, up to and during labour.

The three trimesters of pregnancy

1st Trimester – This stage of your pregnancy starts from the time of conception to the 12th week. The hormone relaxin is produced and will prepare the body at the end of the first trimester. It is responsible for relaxing the ligaments around the pelvis allowing separation of the joints of the pelvis therefore increasing space in the pelvis for childbirth. It enables the abdominal muscles to stretch during pregnancy and the pelvic floor muscles to stretch during labour.

As relaxin affects the body it can become less stable around the joints and Mums to be can be prone to injury during activity and less stable in their everyday movements. In an ideal world the abdominals should be in a good condition before getting pregnant. If you are already taking Pilates classes, you can carry on as normal within the first 12 weeks. If however, if you are having twins or are new to abdominal exercise, then you should do the second trimester Pilates exercises at this stage.

Second Trimester – This stage of your pregnancy starts from the 12th week to the 28th week. The foetus is now out of the pelvis; therefore we need to adapt the abdominal training from the first trimester. Tummy crunches (six pack) & Oblique twists should now be avoided.
Exercises that focus on the core stability together with pelvic tilts are now most appropriate, it is very important that there is no doming of the abdominals as this will have the adverse effect of what you need to achieve.

Third Trimester – This stage of your pregnancy starts from the 28th week to delivery.
20 – 30 weeks – Due to a Supine Hypertensive Syndrome, lying on your back needs to be adapted. This normally happens at approximately 20 weeks of pregnancy but can happen at 12 weeks. This syndrome is possibly caused by the weight of the uterus impeding blood flow.

This could lead to feeling light headed, nausea and at the worst fainting. If you have any signs of this syndrome you would need to avoid Pilates exercises lying on your back completely. Pilates core stability exercises are again suitable for this stage of pregnancy together with small pelvic tilts on all fours or alternatively lying on your sides. This will help alleviate or at least lessen the chances of developing back problems which affect nine out of ten pregnancy’s.

30 – 40 weeks – At this stage it is far more likely that the rectus tummy muscle may split, if they have not already done so. This is due to the increasing size of baby. The rectus tummy muscle will now be very stretched and therefore weaker than normal.

Pilates core stability and pelvic tilt exercises should be held for shorter periods than before at 20 – 30 weeks. General trunk stability will be key. Towards the end of pregnancy these kinds of appropriate Pilates exercises will now lessen in repetition, this is very individual and will depend upon the physical well being of Mum along with pre- pregnancy fitness and size of baby. Alternative Pilates exercises will now be performed avoiding lying on your back.

Post-Natal Period
Normally between six to eight weeks is the time when you may be ready to return to a post-natal Pilates class, after Mum has seen a GP for a post-natal check. However, please be aware that with a caesarian section, Mum may not be insured to drive until a GP is confident that you are capable of doing an emergency stop.

Post- natal Pilates classes can now enable your instructor to test your Diastasis Recti, separation of the rectus abdominus muscles. This muscle does not always return if at all to the way it was in prepregnancy and is why it is extremely important for you to have a confident and qualified instructor, who will be able to advise you when it is appropriate for you to re-introduce conditioning rectus abdomius and internal obliques (side tummy muscles).

It is imperative to continue to keep all of your abdominals conditioned, doing the appropriate exercises such as pelvic floor and core conditioning which can help avoid incontinence (bladder & bowel control) in later life. The hormone relaxin, will stay in the body for five to six months after delivery and can be longer if breast feeding.

Therefore, it is important to be aware of this and be sure that you attend a specific post-natal Pilates class to enable correct and appropriate exercises for postnatal women. Remember over stretched muscles and ligaments at this stage can cause long-term injury.

Author: Toni French

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The PhysicalMind Institute’s Teacher training course “Osteoporosis Awareness” used exercises on the apparatus, which maximized weight bearing and decreased forward flexion. Thus it was just ìa short walkî to incorporate these concepts into new choreography for the Pilates matwork. This means that we are now bending the spine at the ìbra lineî and softening the rib cage rather than crunching the head forward and we are using the deepest abdominal muscles ñ the transversesóto stabilize the spine so that we can stand erect.

A healthy pelvic floor is so important to our overall well-being and fitness, that it is surprising how frequently it is overlooked in traditional exercise. This is yet another reason why Pilates is such a beneficial program – it creates awareness and promotes the well-being of the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor awareness and engagement is a necessary part of performing the Pilates exercises correctly. The pelvic floor performs three very important functions.

1. Supportive pelvic floor function is to keep our internal organs in place. We utilize the pelvic floor every time we cough, laugh or sneeze. Because these actions create internal abdominal pressure, our pelvic floor responds by keeping everything in line. If a healthy pelvic floor is weak, however, the contents of our pelvis (or our internal organs) can prolapse, or fall. Women are prone to the prolapse of their uterus when they are not aware or have not exercised and strengthened their pelvic floor muscles or when the pelvic floor muscles have been damaged.
2. Sphincter: For prevention of incontinence, the pelvic floorís inability to perform this function is a serious problem for millions of people – and generally not talked about because it is an embarrassing topic.
3. Sexual function: pelvic floor muscles can increase sexual stimulation. Women who are aware of their pelvic floors and practice exercising them report having enhanced sexual feeling. As far as the relationship of the pelvic floor to fitness is concerned, it is imperative that the pelvic floor be engaged during exercises. This engagement enables us to lift heavy items more safely, and supports our lower back. Specifically, the pelvic floor muscles, along with the lumbar multifidus, diaphragm, and Transversus Abdominus, form a cylinder, or a support for our lumbar spine.These muscles working together maintain the IAP (Intra Abdominal Pressure) needed to stabilize and release the pressure from our lumbar spine, as well as to support our internal organs as we exert ourselves.

Pelvic Floor awareness is important in Pilates Matwork, but even more necessary in the Standing Series. In the standing series, we use the pelvic floor to focus on our breath, as well as to perform in stabilization role. Pilates and the Pelvic Floor can help people who are incontinent, women who are recovering from pregnancy, people who are having trouble” finding” or engaging their lower abdominal muscles. Old or frail clients can use pelvic floor awareness to perform their abdominal work, as well as people with low back pain, and everyone can use this safely to strengthen their core. Added benefits from these exercises are that you are more resistant to urinary tract infection because of better blood flow. Flat abdominals are also a benefit, since a compromised pelvic floor makes it nearly impossible to attain, due to the shift and prolapse of internal organs.

The pelvic floor muscles interact with other muscles in our body to perform many functions during our exercise as well, such as external hip rotation. Unfortunately, many people are not aware what an integral part the pelvic floor plays in our health, until it has been compromised or damaged. Many factors can damage a healthy pelvic floor; childbirth, surgery (prostetomy for men and hysterectomy for women), postmenopause deficiencies in estrogen, drugs, diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis, as well as smokers cough and excessive body weight. A healthy pelvic floor can help you against these ailments. Standing Pilates is a great and intensive way to train ourselves to engage and become more aware of our pelvic floor and the integral part it plays in our physical well-being. Another attribute of Standing Pilates is that it forces us to use extreme focus. We are forced to focus on how our body moves and reacts in a balancing position. Standing Pilates is a full body exercise in the sense that you will feel everything working to stabilize your body and are more aware of how your body moves and relates to yourself. such as correctly sitting in a chair or bending to pick something up. These moves can be incorporated into improving the way we move our bodies in everyday life. During the last decade we have turned into a nation of flexion addicts. We are sitting at the computer, eating, traveling in cars and planes, eating, watching TV, eating, talking on the phone, and eating. We are sitting, and more accurately, slumping. We are almost always inclined forward even if we are doing nothing. This posture degrades our musculature and impacts our neurological systems. In other words, it is bad!

Our bodies are designed to function from a neutral spine. When we are slumped in the sitting position, our muscle become lax. Look at your clothes and see how they hang. Now slump and watch how the fabric wrinkles. This is what is happening to your torso muscles. And you wonder why your abdomen is sticking out! Muscles become lax when you slump, so other muscles try to take over the slack of the internal support muscles. When you sit for long periods, your hips and shoulders become stiff. Your hip flexors and neck muscles must take up the slack. They are tightening to hold you up and this is not good.

If you find yourself slumped at a computer, slouching on the sofa with neck or back ache then perhaps try out a Standing Pilates class and find out the benefits for yourself.

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