WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates began as a rehabilitation method, but now it is utilized by elite athletes as well as millions around the world. The primary focus is on awareness of the spine, proper breathing, core strength and flexibility. The Pilates method is a spring based exercise system performed on a variety of apparatuses. These exercises along with the mat exercises both stretch and strengthen long and lean muscles. The emphasis is on spinal and pelvic alignment with deep core muscle recruitment. The genius of pilates is you never do many reps but you concentrate so fully it becomes a complete mind body connection.

• Intensity can be increased over time
• No muscle group is under or over trained
• Easier on ligaments and joints
• Great for women during and after pregnancy
• For elite athletes as well as seniors

Core Principles

Joseph Pilates, a former boxer, developed his method while rehabilitating soldiers during World War I. He based his method on six principles that he called Contrology, the idea that the mind moves the muscle. These principles are Centering, Control, Concentration, Breath, Precision, and Flow. Joseph Pilates believed the “quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions.”