The Full Story
Pilates
Pilates engages both the mind and the body, which teaches us to have control over our body. It promotes functional movement, better body awareness and mechanics. The health benefits of Pilates include improved posture, higher levels of body awareness, increased strength and flexibility, better breathing patterns and reduced risk of injury. Pilates was designed to improve overall quality of life regardless of age or fitness level. When Pilates is performed correctly it does not steal you of energy but fills you with an abundance of energy.
“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” -Joseph Pilates
The 6 Pilates Principles
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Concentration – The purpose of each exercise is found through concentration. You must be mentally present as you do the exercises and aware of every aspect of your body's movement, alignment and muscle contractions. During Pilates you should focus on your entire body to ensure precise and smooth movements, resulting in strong form.
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Control – Joseph Pilates called his method of exercise “Contrology” or “The Art of Control.” Every exercise in Pilates must be done with control. Fundamentally, it's about you being in control of your body, the mind-body connection.
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Centering – To effectively control your body you must have a starting place and that place is your center. All movement in Pilates should begin from proximal (your center) to flow out distally (your limbs).
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Flow – Exercises within Pilates are intended to flow into each other to help build strength and endurance. In your pilates workout concentrate on the flow during each individual exercise, but also as you thread each exercise together. The use of appropriate transitions and economy of movement means ease of movement, both inside and outside of the studio.
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Precision – Pilates is not about doing many repetitions poorly or with poor technique. It is about attention to detail and precise movement. Concentration, control and centering result in precise movements. We believe with regular Pilates and expert instruction this precision will eventually become second nature and carry over into everyday life.
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Breathing – Typically in Pilates you focus on breathing out with effort and in on the return. Coordinating breathing with movement is an important part of Pilates and gives the exercise rhythm and flow. Breathing also increases our focus on each exercise as well as optimizing the flow of oxygen.
History of Pilates
Pilates was developed by Joseph Hubertus Pilates who was born in Germany around 1883. Joseph believed in having a well trained body with an equally well trained intellect. When he and his wife Clara arrived in New York from Germany in 1926, they named this exercise system “Contrology,” meaning the art of control. After Joseph’s death in 1967 his work was carried on by his wife Clara and several other first generation teachers. The name Contrology was then changed to Pilates. Joseph developed this system of exercise to be taught on both a mat and apparatus which he designed himself. Joseph Pilates was indeed a revolutionary thinker and ahead of his time.
“Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty not only to attain it but to maintain it.” -Joseph Pilates
