What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise system that focuses on:
- Stretching and strengthening the whole body
- Improving flexibility
- Improving balance
- Correcting posture imbalances
- Restoring vitality
Pilates was designed by Joseph Pilates, a physical-culturist from Germany. During the first half of the 20th century, he developed a system of exercises which were intended to strengthen the human mind and body. Pilates believed that mental and physical health is interrelated.
Pilates conditions the whole body – No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Your entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease, better performance and less chance of injury.
What is the health benefits of Pilates?
Pilates helps improve posture, muscle tone and flexibility, core strength and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension.
It is an education in body awareness – It changes your shape by educating you in daily life. When you’re cooking or brushing your teeth – the lessons are coming home to pull your stomach in and pull your shoulders down. There is an attention required (in doing the exercises) that changes your awareness” even after class.
The biggest benefit is personal awareness – being aware of how you move on a daily basis and being able to relate to any aches or pains you might have had in the past. There are a big percentage of clients I see with injuries or weakness of the postural muscles, as a result of work, lifestyle, or not exercising the right way.
Can Pilates reduce back pain?
Pilates can provide pain relief to people with lower back pain. In order to have effective Pilates, the exercise should be performed correctly with supervision.
What makes Pilates different than going to a gym?
When you go to a gym you usually do more traditional workouts that are weight bearing – you tend to build short, bulky muscles – the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.
Can Pilates help me loose weight?
Pilates can support weight loss and can give a more toned appearance. To loose weight even more effectively, combine Pilates with an aerobic activity such as walking, running, cycling, swimming ect.
Am I too old for Pilates?
Pilates is suitable for all ages. It is never too late to start. The exercises are tailored for the specific individual.
Do I have to be fit to do Pilates?
All levels of fitness will benefit from Pilates. Pilates can be adapted to challenge someone very fit and to raise the fitness levels of someone less active
What’s the difference between Pilates and yoga?
Pilates and Yoga focus on improving strength, flexibility, balance, good breathing and posture. Yoga has a more spiritual side to it than Pilates.
Pilates targets specific areas of the body to strengthen and improve posture.
How does Pilates benefit my sport performance?
Developing an athlete’s core – the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine – makes athletes more agile, helps prevent injury and increases sports performance.
Can Pilates help reduce stress?
Stress is one of the biggest negative factors of modern life, affecting your physical and mental wellbeing just as much as disease does. Frequent exercise is one of the best remedies for stress and has many benefits. Pilates focuses on breathing – a deep, mindful pattern of breathing that instantly enhances feelings of calm and release in the body and mind. We also work constantly on posture: a poised and lifted body, free from tension and pain, creates a calm mind.