Pilates is an exercise method, designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body to balance and was developed by its founder, the German born Joseph Pilates over the course of a lifetime dedicated to improving physical and mental health. An inventor and explorer (of ideas rather than places), Joseph Pilates strongly believed in the co-ordination of mind, body and spirit.
Pilates focuses on building the body's core strength to improve posture through a series of low impact stretching and conditioning exercises. Through regular practice, you will be able to develop your back, abdominal and pelvic muscles without adding bulk, increasing your flexibility and agility and at the same time, toning your stomach and thigh muscles.
Joseph Pilates spent his life devising apparatus and exercises to achieve that end, and through the decades, passed on his ideas to others. After emigrating to the US in the 1920s and opening his studio in New York, he continued to design equipment and develop theories until his death in 1967. However strange these early pieces of apparatus may have looked, many of his inventions are still in use today, in Pilates studios around the world. Joseph Pilates called his early method Contrology because he believed his concept used the mind to control the muscles.
Pilates exercise program is based around eight basic principles: * Breathing * Centering * Control * Precision * Relaxation * Alignment * Flowing movement * Routine As classes become more advanced the exercises will flow from one to another.
The emphasis of the exercises is to work on the deep stabilising muscles of the trunk and to create long, lean muscles. Pilates demands intense focus and beginners are instructed to pay careful attention to their bodies, building on very small, delicate movements and controlled breathing. Exercises also promote physical awareness which is a prerequisite to making postural improvements and moving more freely.
Pilates himself has been often quoted as saying something to the effect of: "in 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference, and in 30 sessions you will have a new body". This may not be true for everyone but many have noticed a remarkable difference in both their physical and mental health following regular Pilates sessions.
Taught either as mat work or as part of a studio class, individually or in groups, Pilates today is as popular as ever thanks to celebrity endorsement (Madonna is just one of many famous fans of the exercise) and its proven healing powers as a treatment for back pain. In fact, Pilates is now recommended by many GPs, osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists for help in overcoming a variety of injuries and postural problems. Everyone from those simply looking to tone up and get fit to professional sports people and those using the exercise to prevent injury, are enjoying the benefits of Pilates.
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