About Pilates
Pilates (pi-LA-tees)
“Pilates is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace, and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play, and in the way you work.” – Joseph Pilates
The Pilates Method is an approach in mind and body integration that was created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. The fundamental principles focus on balance, concentration, control, centered awareness, fluid movements, and breath. Pilates enhances core strength that increases flexibility, coordination and spatial awareness. The repertoire is performed as a mat class or on specialized equipment utilizing springs for resistance. Pilates engages the whole person, not just the muscles. For everybody from an athlete to a mother, Pilates will develop and enhance stamina, posture, alignment and core strength for elite performance to everyday activities.
How is this done?
The pilates method uses specifically designed equipment and floor exercises to promote uniform development of the body. This allows weaker muscles to develop instead of the body continuously relying on the stronger muscles to do the work. Pilates focuses on the core muscles first, specifically stomach, butt and back, in a sense, working the muscles from the inside out. This achieves and maintains a balanced aligned body.
Who can benefit from Pilates?
- People needing special consideration to injured and problem areas: including back pain, scoliosis, shoulder issues, fibromyalgia etc
- The super fit: athletes, dancers, and martial artists
- Women who are pre and post-natal
- Anyone wanting to shape and define their body
In ten sessions you can feel the difference, in twenty you can see the difference, and in thirty sessions you have a whole new body. ~ Joseph Pilates
Points of interest
- In Pilates, every movement originates from the core, with a breath, and stays within a defined and safe range of motion
- Pilates equipment was created long before Nautilus equipment and has remained unchanged for 70 years. Joseph Pilates was definitely ahead of his time
- Joseph Pilates’ guiding philosophy was his belief that the body must be exercised in its entirety to achieve good health. He had a profound reverence for the simplicity of movement and the mind body connection
- Joseph Pilates combined the breathing and meditation of yoga, the weight bearing aspects of weight training and the balancing elements of Tai Chi, which has a sequence of movements each building upon the last and increasing in difficulty
“It is the mind itself that shapes the body!” ~ Joseph Pilates
Principals
- Control
- Centering
- Concentration
- Precision
- Breath
- Flow
Benefits
- Balance
- Better Posture
- Confidence
- Flexibility
- Fluid Movement
- Improved Circulation
- Increased Metabolism
- Increased Muscle Strength
- Increased Range of Motion
- Increased Stamina
- Injury Prevention
- Longer and Leaner Muscles
- Mental Relaxation
- Power
- Improved Breathing
- Reduces Stress and Tension
- Sexy Arms, Shoulders and Back
- Great Looking and Strong Core
- Strong Pelvic Floor
- Weight Loss
