What is Pilates?

Pilates is an exercise practice which builds functional strength, core stability, and body awareness. Pilates utilizes spinal flexion, extension and rotation as its basic foundation. Through the use of large, compound movements and also smaller, more isolated movements, Pilates strengthens and lengthens muscles in the entire body. The use of rythmic breathing facilitates relaxation and a sense of calm. Pilates helps to focus the mind and renew body and soul.

Basic Principles of Pilates

History of Pilates

Joseph H. Pilates was a German man who overcame childhood ilness and learned to strengthen his weak body and gain increased health and mobility. As an adult, he began cultivating his experience in fitness during World War I, while working as an orderly. Using springs and other equipment, he was able to help his bedridden patients to recover and regain strength more quickly than with bedrest alone. After the war ended, Joseph Pilates moved to the United States and opened a fitness studio in New York. His methods attracted the attention of many famous and influential people. He worked closely with ballet dancers and his exercises worked very well for them. He developed a system of 34 movements that were done on the mat, using only the resistance that the body provides, without the use of equipment. Since then, many different pilates methods have arisen that are based on his original principles, and as the system continues to grow and evolve, there are endless possibilities for practice with and without the use of equipment.

What is the Core?

The “Powerhouse“ or the “Core“ refers to the muscles of the torso from under the arms to just above the pelvis. More specifically, the abdominal muscles, and muscles of the upper and lower back. Pilates is usually focused around core strength, but it also addresses all the other muscles including ones that are smaller and/or deeper, for example, the adductors, (inner thigh) intercostals, (ribcage) facial and neck muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Is Pilates right for me?

Anyone of any age or ability can do Pilates. There are many different forms of Pilates, both mat based and equipment based, that have evolved from Joseph Pilates‘ original system. Find a class that is a suitable ability level and communicate with your instructor if you have any limitations or concerns. Modifying exercises so that practice remains within one‘s comfort zone is important. Discomfort should never be experienced during any of the exercises.

Pilates Health Benefits

Regular Pilates practice can improve posture and spinal alignment, improve joint mobility, alleviate or eliminate pain, increase circulation, increase the efficiency of the immune system, increase clarity of thought and concentration, improve balance and coordination, aid in digestion, elevate energy levels and decrease stress levels.

How should I prepare for class?

Please bring a sticky mat, and a towel. Wear comfortable clothes and have bare feet. Plan to take class 3 hours after a large meal, or 1 hour after a small snack. Bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated during class.

How does Pilates Compare to Yoga?

There are many similarities between yoga and pilates. But they are very different in some ways. Some of the movements in pilates are derived from yoga. Some exercises are similar to what a ballerina might do as barre work, but lying down on the mat.

Yoga incorporates Asanas or Poses that may be repeated and held throughout the practice. There are many types of yoga, some using a rapid flow from one posture to another and some with poses that are held for several seconds or longer. Yoga can be very intense or very gentle.

Pilates provides a fluid transition from one exercise to the next, with very little pauses or held poses. In Pilates, usually 6 to 8 repetitions are performed. The practice then moves on to the next exercise, without revisiting exercises during that practice session. The movements are most often of low to moderate intensity and done using lengthened limbs and engaged core muscles. Most of the exercises are performed while drawing the naval in toward the spine (abdominal hollowing), and maintaining the Pilates posture throughout. To intensify a Pilates movement, since there are no “held“ poses, one may increase the range of motion or the speed at which the reps are performed. In addition, there are intermediate and advanced movements and also added help or resistance from equipment to create more diversity and challenge.

Difference in Breathing

Yoga/Pilates Analogy

Compare yoga to a modern dancer powerfully moving through different postures and letting the body conform to any shape or emotion, balancing effort and surrender. Compare Pilates to a ballerina on pointe who maintains an open chest, perfect lifted posture, a long neck, retracted shoulder blades, always lifted and lengthened, through nonstop, fluid motion.