What is
Pilates?
Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) created the Pilates method in the early 20th century.
He developed more than 600 exercises that are considered holistic training and mind/body conditioning.
Pilates is based on six principles: concentration, control, centering, flow, precision, and breathing. However, contemporary Pilates schools add a few more principles, like efficiency, harmony, awareness, and balance.
Initially, the method was called Contrology.
According to Joseph, “Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit”.
Each session must exercise the whole body, so as to achieve a balanced body and correct alignment, which will help prevent injuries.
Today, millions of teachers and practioners worldwide continue to honor Joseph Pilates' legacy by developing and expanding on his original work.
What can you expect?
Pilates is not merely a series of exercises and reps, but a lifelong process. Everyone can practice it because of its broad repertoire, modifications, props, and equipment.
Pilates can simply be practiced on a mat in a group or one-on-one sessions. Mat work is the foundation of the Pilates system and mat exercises are the root of the method.
Pilates can also be practiced on specialized equipment: various systems of springs, ropes, and pulleys. The springs and pulleys in the equipment offer progressive resistance, which will affect your body differently than weights.
That’s because when you work with weights, the load remains the same throughout your joints’ full range of motion, so your muscle effort changes. With springs, resistance can change and adapt. So, it can challenge your muscles through your entire range of motion. Spring resistance is also safer than weights if you’re recovering from an injury.
The most well-known and popular piece of Pilates equipment is the Reformer.
It’s a kind of bed with various tension springs and a moving platform. The Reformer helps you practice both stability and movement, with both support and resistance, to improve your balance and flexibility.
And while it take a little while to get used to the new orientation and feeling, a Reformer offers endless opportunities to train and condition your entire body.