What is Pilates?
The Pilates Method of body conditioning is a unique system that integrates mind and body. It aims increase breath awareness, to strengthen and tone the muscles, improve posture and core stability and increase flexibility. Exercising in this way helps to balance and streamline the body. It can be used as an exercise regime in itself, to improve back injuries, or to compliment activities requiring body control and core strength such as athletics, dancing or team sports. It is also effective for post-natal women as there is focus on the pelvic floor.”In ten sessions you will feel the difference, in twenty sessions you will see the difference and in thirty sessions you will have a new body” J.H. Pilates.
Who is Pilates ?
Joseph Pilates began developing his exercise method in Germany in the early 1900’s. Suffering form rickets and asthma as a child he created a program to strengthen his frail body. When he was interned in the First World War Pilates taught fellow internee’s and successfully helped to maintain their health during a deadly Influenza epidemic in 1918. Following this Pilates served as a Hospital orderly on the Isle of man. He worked alongside medical staff with amputee patients and noticed a remarkable improvement in their strength and overall wellbeing. In 1926 Joseph Pilates immigrated to the U.S. where he opened the first Pilates studio in New York. It was very successful and in a short time he developed a clients list of actors and dancers among others.
Technique Principle
1. Concentration: This is the key element in connecting your mind and body. In Pilates based exercises every movement is controlled by thought and is therefore referred to as the ‘thinking way of moving’. By engaging our fully minds we use our muscles more efficiently, creating a more effective workout.
2. Breathing: By using deep inhalation’s and exhalations stale air and noxious gases are expelled from the body. In Pilates the exhalation takes place during the greatest effort, allowing the oxygen to reach the muscles when it is most required. Proper breathing helps to control the movements both whilst exercising and in daily life.
3. Centring: We all have a large group of muscles in our centre, encompassing our abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks. Although we require these muscles to carry out daily tasks, they are often neglected. The Pilates Method allows these muscle to work in unison, as a unit. Physical energy is exerted from the centre to the rest of the body, encouraging co-ordinated movement. In this way we can build a strong foundation which we can rely on in our daily living.
4. Control: The Pilates Method is all about muscle control. The exercises must be performed with mindful control to produce the most positive results possible and to remain injury free.
5. Precision: The movements must be done with precision.With every movement comes an array of instructions that should be adhered to if the exercise is to be effective. It is always better to perform fewer precise movements than many without control. With focus the precision of each movement soon becomes second nature.
6. Fluidity: In Pilates there is no static or isolated movements because our bodies do not naturally function that way. Each exercise flows into the next resulting in continuous movement.
7. Intuition: Listening to our bodies is something we rarely do. This may lead us to pushing our bodies past their limits resulting in exhaustion or injury. The Pilates method is based upon the ideal of well-being and is not a quick fix solution. It is vital that you trust what feels right and what doesn’t. Trust your intuition and never force what is not a natural progression.
8. Integration: This is the ability to perceive your body as a comprehensive whole. In Pilates the muscles are not isolated but integrated so every muscle is used simultaneously. The result of this awareness is a balanced, flexible and co-ordinated body and a calm mind.