“Yo ho, yo ho, a Pilates life for me”  is in fact how the original Pirates of the Carribean lyric goes, less a spirited sea shanty, more a mellow premeditative chant. Focus on centring and concentration rather than cannonry and cutlasswork with today’s CityDeal, which offers a four week Pilates training course at Core Pilates, with a wide choice of classes to attend in both Malahide and Raheny, for €22 instead of €58. The basic principles of Pilates focus on breathing, centring, control and concentration, precision, relaxation, alignment and movement. Core Pilates put these principals into practice through various imaginative classes that they have developed using props such as rollers, Gurdy Balls and TheraBands, and also in speciallydesigned prenatal Pilates classes. The fit circle classes work on arms and inner thighs, the TheraBand classes offer an all over workout focussing on strength and flexibility, gurdy ball workouts are another excellent way of increasing flexibility, challenging customers’ core stability too, and the prenatal classes offer a more gentle workout, and focus on toning pelvic floor muscles. With this CityDeal, any of these classes are available to Core Pilates customers for four weeks, with unlimited access provided classes are not fully booked. Core Pilates coach, Madeleine, has been a qualified instructor for five years, and teaches in small groups of no more than twelve. The class timetable can be viewed on their website, however, if there is enough demand, Madeleine is happy to create extra classes. Classes run in the morning, lunch time, and evening, to fit around individual needs. Madeleine can also provide onetoone tuition for clients who want to work on something in particular not included in this CityDeal and subject to an extra charge.   Facilities include Pilates Fit Circle The Fit Circle adds a new dimension. Arm work to die for and inner thigh and tum work you will remember for a day or two… Thera Band The band class is a great workout including strength and flexibility. Adds assistance and resistance to your workout. Gurdy Ball A popular class using an inflated or deflated ball to work you hard, challenging stability and encouraging a deep core workout. Rollers Challenge your core stability even further. Makes you work your weaker side and an excellent tool for increasing flexibility. Pre/Post Natal A gentle class to keep mum mobile, flexible and toned encouraging pelvic floor toning and relaxation.