What Is Pilates?
Pilates is a low impact and non-aerobic form of body conditioning. This gentle form of exercise can help you to achieve your best posture, help prevent injury and achieve better health and well-being. Pilates is predominantly a 'core' strengthening form of exercise, concentrating mainly on the deep abdominal and back muscles. Using the connection between the mind and the body with the assistance of breathing, it strengthens and lengthens muscles through gentle movements which are flowing and controlled. It will help you connect with your own body and discover muscles you may not have known existed.
Pilates is a gentle yet energising. It can enable you to strengthen the body, increase flexibility, improve overall mobility and revitalise your mind.
Through correct Pilates instruction you can attain better posture, have the ability to move more efficiently (making day-to-day activities less demanding), and achieve a greater sense of well-being.
The fantastic thing about Pilates is that almost anyone can do it, regardless of age or fitness level.
The History of Pilates
Pilates was originally devised by a German, Joseph Pilates. As a child Pilates was quite sickly but, through his determination to overcome his initial poor health he became skilled in an impressive range of athletics - skiing, diving, circus performing, boxing and self defence.
Through experimentation during the First World War, Pilates devised a series of exercises in order to aid rehabilitation to war victims who could not walk. His 'Pilates Method' evolved from there and he and his wife moved to the USA, opening a studio for 'body conditioning' which became increasingly popular with dancers as it gave them the opportunity to recover from injury and improve on their technique.
Pilates' basic principles:
- Efficiency of movement
- Breathing
- Centering
- Concentration
- Control
- Precision
- Flexibility
Today the Pilates Method is still taught in the original form, however many teachers have adapted the movements in order to make Pilates more accessible to the general public.
