What is Pilates? How does it benefit me?
The word Pilates is the last name of Joseph H. Pilates. His original system was called Contrology, which he described as the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. It can also be described with three words: Stretch, Strength and Control. Every movement/exercise incorporates these elements.
As Joseph Pilates further developed his system, many people studied and trained in his studio, including his top protégé, Romana Kryzanowska. His teachings were preserved and passed down to Romana and it is Romana’s Pilates® that I teach.
Pilates is Tailored To Your Needs
A lesson consists of reformer, mat and apparatus work in a 50 minute session. It usually takes about 10 lessons to learn the basic movements or order of the exercises. The reformer, the central component of the work, is a spring based apparatus. The moving springs on the reformer are always expanding and contracting which act like muscles of the body. This action helps to develop symmetry alignment along with strength and flexibility.
Each body or every body has different needs. This is why individual lessons are so important in Pilates practice, especially in the beginning. The primary function of the individual lessons is to help guide you through the 50 minute session with accuracy of the technique.
Group classes can be beneficial if the individual already knows the exercises. Practicing Pilates in the correct exercise order helps with the mind body connection.
What you learn in the studio should help your overall body function in daily life, so you can reach for something high in a cabinet, pick up socks from the floor and even have better balance as you age.
Pilates Improves Posture and Alignment
Pilates is internal-focused work, using all the inner core muscles to support the spine. The spine is the primary emphasis of Joseph Pilates’ work. He believed the healthier your spine is, the healthier you are.
Pilates to Enhance Strength
For some, Pilates is their only form of exercise. However, if you are already active in a sport like running, golf, tennis or weight lifting, Pilates can enhance your performance in those activities. Many activities create an imbalance in the body. Pilates will help realign the body and strengthen the inner core muscles that surround the spine. The focus on spine mobility and suppleness is what separates Pilates from other forms of exercise.
