What is Pilates?
Pilates is a whole body exercise system, developed by founder Joseph Pilates during, and in the years following the first World War. Before the war German-born Pilates was working as a boxer and circus entertainer in England. When war broke out in 1914 he was held in an internment camp in Lancaster, along with other 'enemy' German nationals. It was during this time that he began to develop the series of original exercises he called 'contrology', which we now know as Pilates or the Pilates Method.
The focus of Pilates is on developing core strength (deep abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles) and improving posture through a series of low impact and low repetition stretching and conditioning exercises. Pilates is based upon an understanding of human anatomy and and is designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body. Pilates strengthens the muscles and gives a more sleek, toned appearance without adding muscle bulk. There is also a strong 'mind over matter' belief:
"It is the mind itself that shapes the body"
Joseph Pilates
Pilates can be either floor-based matwork exercises or can use a wide range of apparatus, specifically designed for Pilates. Most people start with matwork and may progress to apparatus once they are confident with the skills of matwork Pilates. Apparatus classes tend to be in smaller groups than matwork classes and may even be on a 1:1 basis. Equipment includes items such as the reformer, cadillac and wunder chair.
Who can benefit from Pilates?
Pilates is a slow, flowing series of exercises which are safe and effective at all levels of fitness. Doctors, Physiotherapists and other health professionals regularly presribe Pilates to patients for the following reasons:
* Injury rehabilitation
* Relief of stress and tension
* Maintenance and improvement in bone density (osteoporosis)
* Ease arthritis pain
* Ease back pain
* Improvement in posture
* Improvement in flexibility
* Improvement in balance and coordination
* Improvement of lung function and circulation
* Excellent ante and post natal exercise
* Insomnia
* Incontinence
