What is Pilates?
Pilates in simple terms, is a form of exercise that targets the core of the body, the abdomen back and hips while using the entire body. It builds strength without bulk, improves flexibility and agility and helps prevent injury. Developed from the rehabilitation technique later adopted by dancers and athletes is now embraced by millions. No matter your age or condition, it works for all.
About Joseph Pilate, founder of Pilates:
Joseph.H. Pilate was born in Monchengladbach, Germany in 1880. a sickly child, who suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, he decided his entire life to becoming physically stronger. At the age of i4 after studying bodybuilding and gymnastics he was fit enough to pose for anatomical charts.
He was of belief that the modern life style, bad posture and inefficient breathing were the roots of poor health and so he devised a series of exercise, training techniques and engineered all the equipment, specifications and learning required to teach them properly. He designed his exercise program around principles that support this philosophy, including concentration, precision, and control breathing and flowing movements.
In 1960, he and his wife Clara found studio in New York City and they directly taught and supervised their students well into the 1960's. Pilates and his method were originally called "Contrology" refers to way his method encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles. Pilate practiced what he preached and lived a long healthy life.
He also wrote several books including "Return to life through Contrology", and "Your Health". They had many disciples who continued to teach variations of his method at the same time preserving the old.
Principles of Pilates method:
Concentration - focus on an area
Control - muscle control
Center - energy is exerted from your center
Fluidity - dynamic grace of motion
Precision - perfect movement not half hearted
Breath - proper breathing
Control - muscle control
Center - energy is exerted from your center
Fluidity - dynamic grace of motion
Precision - perfect movement not half hearted
Breath - proper breathing
Methods to use Pilates:
There are two ways to exercise in Pilates. Most people focus on the mat exercises, which require only a floor mat and training. These exercises are designed so that your body uses its own weight as resistance. The other method of Pilates uses a variety of machines to tone and strengthen the body again using the principle of resistance.