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An Introduction to Pilates
“In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, in 30 you'll have a whole new body.”
~Joseph H. Pilates
What Is It?
Pilates is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. With systematic practice of specific exercises coupled with focused breathing patterns, Pilates has proven itself invaluable not only as a fitness endeavor itself, but also as an important adjunct to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation of all kinds.
The Pilates Method is not just exercise. It is a series of controlled movements engaging your body and mind, performed on a mat or specifically designed exercise apparatus, and supervised by an extensively trained teacher.
This innovative system of mind-body exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, dramatically transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs. It builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body with firm, slender thighs and a flat abdomen. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement. Pilates improves flexibility, agility and economy of motion, and can help alleviate back pain, as well as other ailments.
Instead of performing many repetitions of each exercise, Joseph H Pilates preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring proper control and form, and focusing on engaging the “powerhouse” – the abdomen, lower back, buttocks and upper thighs – to support and strengthen the movements, enabling the rest of the body to move freely. And because your mind is required to engage with your body to perform the movements correctly, you experience a new awareness of muscle function and control.
Professional dancers have known the benefits of Pilates for decades. Top athletes use it for strength, flexibility, and injury prevention. Hollywood celebrities and supermodels use it to maintain beautiful physiques.
Like many other kinds of exercise, Pilates increases metabolism, promotes respiratory and circulatory function, and improves bone density and muscle tone. And like Yoga and martial arts, it can help you to "get centered" and calm your nerves.
Unlike many other forms of exercise, however, Pilates balances out muscular asymmetries, streamlines your silhouette, and improves your balance, coordination, and breath control. Pilates does all this because the exercises work to simultaneously develop your muscular flexibility and your strength. The exercises also help to awaken a new body awareness.