Frequently Asked Questions
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Where is Studio Carme?
- Studio Carme is located in Notting Hill.
- You can travel by tube via Royal Oak or alternatively Notting Hill or Bayswater tube stations.
- Classes are by appointment only.
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How do I book a Pilates, Facial Fitness or Combo class?
- You can email me on enquiries@studiocarme.co.uk.
- You can call me on 0207 221 5427.
- Classes are by appointment only.
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It’s my first time doing Pilates or Facial Fitness, what is your studio like?
- My studio is professional, clean and calm.
- Fully equipped with a Reformer, a Wunda Chair, a Tower and an Arc for Pilates.
- I also have smaller equipment such as fit-balls, weights, elastic band and roller.
- I have a table and mirror to practice Facial Fitness in a relaxed setting.
- I offer complimentary lemon and mint water for my clients.
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Do you teach small groups for Facial Fitness?
- I teach group classes in the studio, up to 5 clients can book. These classes can be booked by a group of friends.
- Sometimes I run open group classes, please email me for availability.
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Do you teach small groups for Pilates?
- Classes last for 60 minutes.
- I teach private classes.
- I can also fit 2 clients if they decide to share a class as a duet.
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Do you do private visits?
- I give classes in my studio in Notting Hill, London, solely.
- I offer Skype classes for those clients who live further away.
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How do Facial Fitness Classes work at the Studio?
- Can be done privately or in group. I recommend private classes to achieve maximum benefits.
- Bookings can be for a single class, set of 4 or weekly classes.
- You can also book a Combo class, lasts for 90 minutes and includes Pilates and Facial Fitness.
- Inexpensive, with simply 4 classes you can learn a lifelong facial routine.
- The routines are tailored natural workouts.
- Facial workouts are divided in short and long sets to adapt to each client lives.
- Each class will include single or several facial workouts.
- Learn a facial massage at the end of each class.
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What does a Facial Fitness class consist of?
- Facial Fitness is a 60 minutes facial workout, an active exercise for the facial muscles.
- I teach a selection of exercises which may vary from client to client.
- Throughout the class, the facial muscles are activated so the client feels them working.
- We recap all the exercises done in the session and any other exercises we may have done previously.
- Finally, I teach a facial massage to oxygenate the tired muscles and relax them.
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How much time do I need to spend to see the benefits?
- I give the same answer to both my Facial Fitness and Pilates clients, it depends on the age of each client and how much time they want to spend. Being consistent and regular will give them a quicker and long lasting result.
- While you are learning, I recommend to work out daily as you are trying to learn the technique as well as introduce a routine which may be tricky in our busy lives.
- Once you have learnt the routines, I recommend 15 minutes every other day.
- It takes 8 weeks to achieved striking results.
- See these before and after shots.
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At what age should I start Facial Fitness?
- I believe Facial Fitness is a life skill that everyone should learn early on so it become a natural habit. The same way we have learned in our childhood to introduce other simple routines to care for teeth, hair etc. we should start facial exercises in our youth.
- In your 30’s – I started in my mid 30’s and I can tell that my face looked slightly fuller after 8 weeks.
- In your 40’s – Your face will improve definition around the cheeks, jawline and chin.
- In your 50’s – Great age, the results are striking (see before and after). Their faces increase in tone, volume, definition and glow. It is wonderful to see the evolution and motivation as the weeks go by.
- Over 60’s – Fantastic time to start, your face will be transformed. It is easier to see the changes and obtain that natural face-lift.
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What Pilates workouts do you specialise in?
- I adapt the Pilates to my client’s current fitness, injuries and goals.
- First, I need to understand their fitness level. Then, I design routines that challenge the client and makes the classes exciting.
- I follow BASI class structure as it works the full body in an intelligent manner.
- I use a pilates mat, Reformer, Wunda Chair, Tower, Arc and other preps like fit balls, elastic bands, roller and weights.
- In my classes, I like to combine strength and control with constant stretching. Like one of my mentors once said: ‘Carme, Pilates is not only about becoming stronger but also about lengthening and giving space to our joints to allow full mobility and keep a healthy body’.
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Does Facial Fitness replace other beauty routines or similar?
- You should view Facial Fitness for the Face as Pilates for the body or any other type of exercises. We should work the muscles and then we can enhance the results by using other professional expertise like beauticians to take care of the skin.
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Why do you need 4 sessions of Facial Fitness?
- You can take a single class to learn a generic facial work out, it will help to start.
- You may decide to take more classes right away or in the future, it does not matter.
- I recommend 4 classes so to learn 6 different routines well and become a skill you’ll remember.
- You may also decide to do a weekly class Combo – Pilates and Facial Fitness, they last for 90 minutes.
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What happens when I stop exercising my face?
- Your facial muscles as the rest of your body will lose toning and volume, depending on your age this will be take longer.
- However, having already toned them, starting again will be easier. Facial muscles have ‘memory’ and it is easier to get fit again.
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How do I keep motivated?
- Motivation is key for anything in life and especially fitness.
- Set a day and time to create a new habit.
- Be realistic on how many times you may be able to work out a week, it may vary depending on what the time of the year you are in. Don’t give up, a little every other day is better than nothing.
- Set a goal you want to improve, like an area of the face you would like to focus on..
- Take on board some interesting oil or products to use at the end of each work out.
- Facial Fitness makes you feel that you are taking control of your ageing, when you practice regularly the results are obvious. Your skin is glowing and fresher, you feel empowered. your self esteem is higher and you just feel beautiful.
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Does Facial Fitness create more wrinkles?
- No, it does not. is quite the opposite in fact.
- 15 minutes a day does not create a single wrinkle. There are many causes for wrinkles, but one essential reason is the constant over-folding of the skin from facial expressions. In the classes, I help clients to become aware of their facial expressions and how to tone them down.
- As we age, our skin loses collagen and therefore elasticity. We know that if we keep fit, the skin stays closer to the muscle and the ageing process is less dramatic.
- Facial Fitness tones and gently increases muscle volume, this will gently stretch the skin, making us look younger.
- Also, the self-massage after each workout helps to oxygenate and relax the muscles.
- As you can see in the ‘Before and After’ photos, the skin looks better and more compact.
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Can Facial Fitness harm my face and make it look worst?
- No, it cannot but it may also deliver no results if done incorrectly.
- Exercising your muscles will tone them but having the right technique is essential. Otherwise you may see no results what so ever.
- We tend to overuse certain muscles and never use other ones, that is why we see the signs of aging. It is important that we learn to balance our face and work the right muscles.
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Can we combine other invasive procedures like plastic surgery with Facial Fitness?
- Yes, you could.
- Exercising our facial muscles can prepare the face before an operation as well as help to keep the benefits of the operation for longer.
- It is essential to understand that any facial exercise routine is possible, but your doctor will need to provide the go ahead.
- Facial Fitness delivers a long term result, without any chemical and completely organically.
- Invasive treatments, however, need regular top ups and may have some health risks.
- I believe that anyone who decides to have an invasive procedure should consider learning Facial Fitness to maintain the result for longer.
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Can we work out the face if we have had Fillers and Botox?
- Fillers are placed in particular parts of the face and will affect only that area. Facial Fitness can still work out the muscles underneath without any problem.
- Botox is slightly different as it freezes the muscles, so the ones that have been targeted will not move. We can still work out other areas but we need to wait for the Botox to lose the effect before we can do a full face workout.
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Can men benefit from Facial Fitness too?
- I have had many men coming to the studio as they have the same concerns as anyone else. In fact, they are aware of the benefits of working out their body so extending it to the face is natural.
- Besides, anyone can benefit from Facial Fitness, regardless of sex, ethnicity and age.
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What happens if I forget some of the Facial Fitness or Pilates exercises?
- I offer refreshers to go through a series of exercises that the client wants to revise or may have forgotten
- I also offer an online support system where my clients can revise their Pilates and Facial Fitness routines.
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Your favourite reviver recipe after a workout?
- After a workout I love to have a turmeric latte or a maca latte with a toast with avocado and tuna.
- An omelette with tomato and spinach and a healthy fresh juice.
- A quinoa salad with vegetables and mackerel.
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I have existing injuries, can you still teach me Pilates?
- Yes, I studied with Alan Herdman who specialises in Pilates for rehabilitation.
- I work with clients who have had many types of injuries: hip replacements, knee injuries, frozen shoulder and many more.
- Actually, many physios recommend Pilates during the rehabilitation period.
- Also, after giving birth it is essential for new mothers to do proper core strengthening. However, it is essential that the exercises follow the doctor’s advice.
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I have had a stroke, can Facial Fitness help?
- Yes, you can do Facial Fitness to improve the imbalance of the face
- Facial exercises should be looked as a rehabilitation tool.
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I have had a stroke, can Pilates help?
- Yes, you can do Pilates to improve the musculature of your body and also balance it.
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I have had cancer, can Facial Fitness help?
- When you are going through the treatment, facial exercises can help you to feel better, similar to meditation.
- It is organic and uses no chemicals, so ideal for anyone who wants to avoid dealing with strange products.
- I actually have clients from the London Oncology Clinic (TheLOC) in Harley Street.
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I have had cancer, can Pilates help?
- When you are going through the treatment, Pilates can help you to feel better.
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I have got skin cancer, can Facial Fitness help?
- The first step is to check with your doctor. It depends on the skin cancer you have.
- It is organic and uses no chemicals, so ideal for anyone who wants to avoid strange chemicals and products.
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How can you manage your daily diet?
- It is easy to manage your diet, just go to my top tips
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How can I reverse a sagging jaw?
- To improve your muscles in the chin, you need to work out your jaw muscles. These muscles are connected to the neck.
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What can I do about droopy eyelids?
- You will need to work out the cheeks and eyes with tailored workouts
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Why do I have vertical lines around my mouth appearing?
- It is important to work the ‘Core facial muscles’. By doing so, you will increase the volume in the cheeks as well as improve the toning.
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How do we best age gracefully?
- A healthy diet first and foremost.
- Then facial and body exercises.
- Ensuring you have regular workouts.
- Add facial massage as well as body massage
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What does timeless ageing mean? (keeping essence, face lift, glowing etc)
- Timeless ageing means to keep your identity, the face as you want it to be. Over time, it will change, but having regular stretches, massages and facial exercises will help your face to lift and glow.
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Can I combine Facial Fitness and Pilates exercises?
- I teach Combo classes, which last for 90 minutes.
- Many clients who come to the studio like to do body workouts followed by facial exercises..