What is Pilates?

The Pilates method began with German athlete, Joseph Pilates.  Having developed the technique he called Contrology in England, he came to New York and opened his studio in the same building as dancer Martha Graham.  Both she, fellow dancer George Balanchine and their students realized the importance of his technique and began to work with Mr. Pilates.  From these humble beginnings, Contrology, now called Pilates, has been embraced by professional athletes, physiotherapists, injury recovery patients and those looking to improve their overall health. 

Pilates is a unique and effective method of strength training that focuses on attaining core stability while providing a full-body workout.  Emphasis is placed on breath, alighment, control, and form.  Quality, not quantity, is the key.  Pilates improves core strength and balances the muscles around the joints, improving the way your body functions, looks and feels.  It focuses specifically on:

1.      Breathing

2.      Pelvic placement

3.      Rib-cage placement

4.      Scapular movement

5.      Head and cervical spine placement

Who Can Do Pilates?

Anyone who desires optimum health and fitness can do Pilates.  Diversity makes Pilates beneficial to a large population group ranging from injury recovery cases to high performance athletes.  This diversity and attention to personal needs makes Pilates ideal for the management of conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and orthopedic injuries.  The exercise programs are individually tailored, challenging each client to attain their full potential.

Unlike the painful aerobics workouts of the ‘80’s and the mindless repetitions at the gym, the Pilates mantra is “less is more.”  Don’t be misled, Pilates is an intense workout.  Variety and discipline are the driving force behind this effective method.  No pain and all the gain.

The Benefits of Pilates

·        Pilates is three-dimensional
(i.e. exercises can be performed using all movement planes)

·        Emphasis on concentric/eccentric contraction for injury prevention

·        In pilates exercise, emphasis is placed on rebalancing muscles around the joints

·        Pilates corrects over-training and muscle imbalance that can lead to injury

·        Pilates emphasizes balancing strength with flexibility
(for injury prevention and more efficient movement)

·        Pilates exercise leads to an improvement in posture and body awareness

Pilates Reformer Training

The reformer is a piece of resistance exercise equipment designed by Joseph Pilates. It consists of a platform that moves back and forth along a carriage. Resistance is provided by the exerciser's body weight and by springs attached to the carriage and platform. A reformer workout will add resistance to your routine and can correct muscular imbalances better than a matwork routine would.  The spring resistance of the reformer more closely resembles the body’s muscular contraction.