WHAT IS PILATES

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PILATES (pill~la~teeze) Frequently Asked Questions
what is pilates? \| why do pilates? \| different types \| choosing an instructor \| how often? \| yoga & pilates
What is Pilates? Pilates is all about de-compressing, stabilizing, mobilizing, and articulating the spine and joints. It is an ideal movement system to help create a more healthy body in addition to strengthening and stretching muscles creating a longer, leaner look, without bulk. Pilates is a Mind~Body~Spirit form of exercise: Physical movement with a profound, inwardly directed awareness or focus in which the orientation is towards process, not competition. It stimulates cognitive and physical development. Pilates is named after Joseph Pilates who created The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning (also called Contrology) in the 1920's. As a child Joe was sickly and taunted by the other children. He began experimenting with different physical training regimes and by the time he was 14 he was posing for anatomy charts. He went on to become a boxer and gymnist. While incarcerated in the war, Joe, being a nurse, started to fashion rehabilitation devices out of the hospital furnishings to rehabiliate the soldiers. BTW: PILATES WAS CREATED BY A MAN FOR MEN. The Pilates Apparatus are the modern day versions of his inventions that he used during the war as physical therapy devices. Regarding Pilates: "It was conceived to limber and stretch muscles...so the body will be as limber as that of a cat." Change happens through movement and movement heals. In 10 sessions you will feel the difference In 20 sessions you will see the difference In 30 sessions you will have a new body Joseph Pilates
Why should I do Pilates? Pilates is a completely different way of training the body than any other form of exercise. Deeper, more supportive muscles are trained rather than the superficial, larger muscle groups trained in most fitness training programs. These deeper muscles help to better support the spine and pelvis, hence posture is improved, back pain is eased, the stomach becomes flatter and the body has a longer, leaner look. You will stand taller, be more at ease with everyday movement, and Pilates training will enhance all of your other fitness training.
Are there different types of Pilates? YES!!! And they are not all created equal! There are many different trainings programs now available. Many weekend or one day programs have cropped up recently in the fitness industry that propse that you can learn to teach pilates in a few short hours. They really are a very dilute version of the details involved in teaching the authentic pilates method and classes can actually be dangerous with having a poorly or seriously under-trained instructor.
How do I choose or know if an instructor is really qualified to teach pilates? To ensure quality instruction check to see if the trainer has under gone any extensive training or just a quick weekend program. The matwork training alone should have involved a minimum of 40 hours not including practice teaching or observation hours or advanced exercises. Full mat and apparatus training a minimum of 500 hours (not 5 hours which is what the one day programs offer) plus observation time and practice teaching hours. Advanced movement courses are often seperate than the initial or intermediate trainings and require additional instruction time, practice and observation.
Why should I do Pilates? We recommend at least two days a week to ensure your success. This would include an hour of matwork exercises being performed at least twice a week and equipment sessions are an excellent complement to the matwork. Pilates was never meant to be segregated into just mat or just equipment. An ideal pilates program includes both mat and apparatus in every session. Pilates can be done everyday, however a day of rest per week is most often a good idea.
Is pilates similar to yoga? Pilates is often compared to yoga in the sense that they are both considered "mind~body" exercise. However, they are not really alike except for some of the movements appear to be similar. Many styles of yoga hold the poses for a few breaths then counterpose or relax before moving into the next held position. Pilates is a flowing workout with movements done one after another almost resembling a dance. Often yoga & pilates are combined together in a single class. Breathing should be changed to accomodate the movement, be it yoga with belly breath or a pilates move with wide, lateral breath and engagement of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor.
what is pilates? \| why do pilates? \| different types \| choosing an instructor \| how often? \| yoga & pilates \| top of page
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