WHAT IS PILATES

PILATES is an integrated, comprehensive system of physical exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the body, while focusing on balance, alignment and correct anatomical movement. Posture, length and muscle control are at its core.

Joseph Pilates was quite sickly as a child and as a result dedicated his entire life to improving his physical strength. He originally called this type of exercise “Contrology” and developed his techniques over 90 years ago while living in England.  At the outbreak of World War 1 he was interned at a camp on the Isle Of Man where he started to develop his exercises to rehabilitate patients who were injured during the war. After immigrating to New York in 1925 he refined his ideas and his popularity and reputation grew rapidly.

Practiced in the early days by elite dancers and professional athletes, Pilates is now in the fitness mainstream and is considered one of the most versatile and effective overall physical conditioning method in existence. An estimated 7 million people worldwide now actively participate in a Pilates based fitness regime. As Pilates enters the new millennium this method continues to be an ever-evolving system, just as it was when Joseph was alive.

Clearly the revolution envisioned by Joseph Pilates nearly a century ago has become a reality.

ACTIVE REHABILITATION

Pilates concentrates on developing subconscious awareness of motor skills and places a strong emphasis on pelvic floor and shoulder girdle stabilization. All exercise address abdominals, low back and gluteals for core stability as well as spine articulation. Upper and lower extremities are strengthened and retrained.

The purpose is to retrain the neuromuscular system to base its reactions on the most economic movement, while drawing from a strong structural foundation. The result is improved neuromuscular technique, better body mechanics, improved posture, relief of tension and stress, reduction of joint strain and improved mobility during movement.

Active rehabilitation exercises expanding on Pilates principles are also incorporated in the sessions by adding manual skills, advanced body awareness and basic resistance training techniques.

Special attention is placed on safety, cueing and appropriate exercise selection for each client. The goal of your program is to help you understand the phrase “core stability” This new knowledge of functional movement can be incorporated into activities of daily living. Since the routines are catered to your individual needs a workout will have truly individual components.