This unique exercise method was initially developed by Joseph Pilates (pi-la-teez), a military nurse and physical therapist, during World War I. Since then, the original Pilates method has been adjusted and improved by many contributors, including dancers, athletes, physical therapists and Pilates’ own students.
What makes Pilates so unique and effective is its fundamental approach to fitness—it puts health and wellness first, while conditioning the body through muscle toning, balance and body awareness.
Pilates exercises involve using very sophisticated equipment under a thorough guidance of an experienced instructor. There are over 500 exercises in Pilates, but each one of them could be adjusted for any individual to exercise any muscle or a proper combination of muscles in a proper movement pattern. Therefore, Pilates exercises may be performed as gentle as possible to accommodate even seriously injured clients or, on the other hand, they can be as challenging as you can imagine. The power of Pilates is not only in its concepts and approach, but also in the level of detail and adjustments that can be made for a specific person, situation or a movement pattern. We personally trained over 300 individuals ranging from patients with spinal stenosis and hip and knee replacement injuries and serious osteoporosis to professional dancers, athletes and military (think Navy Seal!).
Pilates (if done properly) is an ideal form of exercise for all of us, even for those who does not have any specific fitness goals or pre-existing health conditions.
So many people do not get adequate exercise. This can affect our lives in many ways including lowered self-esteem, inability to handle stress, fatigue, or more serious problems, such as injury, chronic pain, tension and accelerated aging. Due to our modern lifestyles, these problems are only getting worse. Exercise is more important than ever before.
Of course there are plenty of exercise methods around, many of which people have been practicing for centuries. However, with all those options comes confusion. Worse yet, as we get older we must deal with the physical changes of adulthood. Add past injuries, childbirth, sedentary lifestyle and other factors, and there are not many methods available that help one get and stay fit without risking harm to the body in the long term.
For example, jogging is considered an excellent way to stay in shape and prevent weight gain, but for many people it may also lead to back, knee or hip problems. The same is true for many other physical activities—they are effective in some ways, but may have serious side effects.
This is why we believe the Pilates method is so good. It allows us to achieve balance in our bodies and helps us to develop healthy, flexible, toned and lean muscles that support our bodies. Practiced in a supportive and personalized environment such as ours, Pilates can greatly benefit you:
- Body Conditioning: Pilates helps to improve posture; increase range of motion; gain muscle tone, flexibility and strength; and enhance body awareness, coordination and balance.
- Injury Recovery: Whether you are recovering from a recent injury or trying to get back in shape after a past injury, Pilates is very effective in helping you reach your recovery goals. It is recommended by physical therapists around the world.
- Injury Prevention: Whether you are a professional athlete, participate in a high-impact physical activity, are at risk of acquiring a work-related injury or are a mom running around after a child or expecting one soon, Pilates exercises can significantly reduce your risk of the most-preventable injuries by enhancing your body support, alignment and awareness.
- Self-Esteem: Imagine what it must be like to start feeling muscles that you never knew existed. Imagine learning to control those muscles and being able to do exercises you thought you could never do in your lifetime. Imagine looking in the mirror one day and seeing the posture you thought had been lost forever. Pilates can do all that for you and more.
- Stress Relief: Controlled breathing, stretching and body-awareness exercises in a relaxing atmosphere can be just what you need after “one of those days.”
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