Janet Barton

About Us

Our Pilates Instructor and Equine Holistic Therapist, Janet Barton, has been involved in the equine industry since the mid 70's.

Janet is a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, Pilates Matwork and Small Equipment Instructor and an Equine Pilates Instructor. She also holds a certificate in Human Anatomy for Pilates, Pilates for Back Pain and Pilates for Pregnancy. She is currently studying an Advanced Certificate in Naturopathy.

Her journey to arrive at this point started with not only a love of the equestrian but a real connection with them. This lead to many years of successfully competing in the show ring and also breaking and training horses and ponies for carriage driving and riding locally and internationally.

It was her interest in Equine Sports Massage Therapy, and subsequent certification, which brought to her the relisation that while equestrians will spend a lot of time, effort and money getting their horses into top physical condition they forget that all of the hard work amounts to very little when they themselves are not in peak condition- mentally and physically.

That is when Janet embarked on her training to become a Pilates instructor. So she could help horse people and their equine counterparts become more physically and mentally aware of their bodies and minds.

"By practicing Pilates ourselves we aid our horses, it then becomes the horse and rider as a whole, united, balanced and working in harmony - the results are like magic"
- Janet Barton

Janet continually enhances her skills by attending seminars, workshops and courses for both Holistic Therapies and Pilates.

Pilates

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 20th century during World War 1. It was designed to aid casualties of war regain their health and to be rehabilitated after injury by focusing on stretching, strengthening and stabilising the core body muscles.

The Principles of Pilates are:

• Control


• Concentration


• Breathing


• Centering


• Precision


• Flowing Movement

Pilates focuses on lengthening and strengthening the muscles and at the same time helps to promote strong overall muscle tone that doesn’t create bulk.

Pilates can help with weight loss, improved flexibility and increased mobility, in even the smallest amount of time. Better body alignment and postural correction will have you holding yourself differently, standing taller, sitting straighter and moving with more balance and coordination.

Pilates for horse people

Creating a strong connection between you and your horse is paramount for your horse to maintain balance and control.

"After becoming a certified Equine Massage Therapist and studying the balance and core body strength of the horse it became apparent that unless the rider is also balanced and symmetrical then all the hard work and training in the world was not going to help the horse. By practicing Pilates we aid our horses, it then becomes the horse and rider as a whole, united, balanced and working in harmony - the results are like magic"- Janet Barton

With Pilates we target specific muscles of the body, using unique exercises designed to help you with balance, symmetry, muscle strength, coordination, proprioception, flexibility, suppleness, posture and to build muscle tone without the bulk. Pilates will also help you to be able to move your body, arms and legs independently of each other, building more control and better aids for your horse.

You can start to build inner strength and body awareness as you become more united with your mind. You can create a connection that will leave you feeling less stressed. After a workout you will feel increased energy levels, a clear, focused mindset and a body that feels strong and in control.

Pilates works on your whole body inside and out promoting physical and mental health.

Why wouldn't you start your Pilates training today?

• Individual workout sessions


• Group workout sessions


• Private group workout sessions


• Pre workout Pilates assessments


• Personalised workout programmes

Equine Sports Massage Therapy

With Equine Sports Massage Therapy you benefit the whole of your horses body inside and out.

You are aiding the relaxation, rehabilitation and mental well being of your horse.

You can help prevent injury, help your horse attain peak physical condition, increase flexibility, help maintain your horse in a healthy, relaxed state, increase their range of motion, improve their posture and, if needed, help with the rehabilitation process.

Individual equine sessions available.

Equine Pilates

One of the most important elements to any equine training schedule, be it for pleasure or competition, is core body strength.

Pilates is an internationally recognized modality for building core body strength.

Here at Centaurien we have taken the philosophies of Joseph Pilates (Pilates founder) and applied them to the equine athlete so you can now help your equine achieve better posture, flexibility, muscle strength, balance and self carriage.

The equine becomes more mentally aware of their body, how it is working and where they are placing their limbs, creating control and focus which helps build the foundation for all equine disciplines.

Equine Pilates starts from the inside of the horse and works toward the outside.

• Enhances mental awareness


• Improves balance


• Encourages better posture


• Creates suppleness and flexibility


• Enhances athletic performance


• Builds muscle strength


• Helps maintain Stamina


• Assists coordination


• Reduces risk of injury


• Promotes self carriage


• Develops spine and back strength


• Improved ROM (Range Of Movement)

Investing in your Equines health and well being pays dividends in every area of their life. Equine Pilates helps your equines body and mind to function at it’s best. This enables them to think more clearly, rest more deeply, have greater energy, perform better and feel more alive. They’re worth it!