About Pilates

THE PILATES® METHOD of body conditioning - Exercise for a Lifetime

What is Pilates Method of body conditioning? The Pilates Method ( pronounced puh-LAH-teez) of body conditioning is an exercise system focused on flexibility and strength for the total body. The Pilates Method is not just exercise. It is a series of controlled movements engaging the body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and supervised by extensively trained teachers. The Pilates Method was developed in the 1920's by the legendary physical trainer and founder of the Pilates Studio, Joseph H Pilates.

Who can benefit from the Pilates Method of body conditioning?
The Pilates Method of body conditioning promotes physical harmony and balance for people of all ages and physical conditions while providing a refreshing and energising workout. Conditioning sessions are done one-to-one with a teacher or in closely supervised small groups; the lessons are tailored to the specific needs of each participant. Every day activities may strengthen some muscle groups and leave others undeveloped; pilates will address these neglected muscle groups, and lead to them becoming strengthened

Some of the first people to use the Pilates Method of body conditioning were dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine. For the general public and athletes alike, the Pilates Method has only recently become available. It can become the primary mode of body conditioning and injury prevention. Physiotherapists, chiropractors and orthopaedists. have only started to use pilates and to see the benefits of it. The Pilates Method of body conditioning can be integrated into rehabilitative exercise and physical therapy programs designed to speed recovery of injuries.

The Pilates Method can also be used by women, before, during and after pregnancy. The "powerhouse" of the body, - the abdomen, lower back and buttocks - is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of the body to move freely. Pilates concentrates on teaching proper breathing and correct body alignment. This helps with the speed the recovery of body shape and tone after pregnancy.

What is different about the Pilates Method of body conditioning? Joseph H Pilates believed that correct body alignment and neuromuscular re-training began with education and total body conditioning. As the mind is directed through the body's precise movements, a new awareness of muscle function and control is experienced, as the techniques are learned. More than 500 specifically designed movements using five major pieces of unique apparatus were conceived by Joseph H Pilates to develop the body uniformly.

Pilates exercises the mind, body and soul. It focuses on the strength and flexibility of the whole body. Pilates provides a lifestyle change. Clients are encouraged to incorporate the basics of Pilates into their everyday lives. Pilates aims to correct body alignment and muscle imbalances and helps clients to become more aware of proper muscle function and control, thus helping to prevent injuries. Many of the exercises demand a lot of concentration and some are pure "mind over matter" and are very challenging. Some of the work is done on the mat and can therefore be practiced at home. Elastic straps are used to provide resistance for some exercises and these can be used at home or away, as they are easy to transport.

The origin of Pilates.
Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph H Pilates had a lifelong interest in body conditioning. As a frail child, he was dedicated to becoming stronger. He later trained as a boxer in England. During the war- time he served as a nurse ( in World War I). He designed exercise apparatus by attaching springs to hospital beds for non-ambulatory patients to exercise themselves with. This system formed the foundation for his style of body conditioning and his specialized exercise apparatus. He brought his ideas and equipment to New York City and opened the first Pilates Studio in 1926.

According to Joseph Pilates' teaching principles, and in order to ensure that conditioning is both safe and effective for clients, instruction is given only by teachers who have completed a rigorous certification program including two weeks of seminar training and 600 apprenticeship hours.

In an unbroken legacy, Joseph H Pilate's studio, "The Pilates Studio" has trained tens of thousands of clients worldwide in this unique body-conditioning program called The Pilates Method. Classes are now available in more than 85 locations in the USA and 20 international locations. Official teacher certification centers are located in New York City, Purchase (NY), Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and Philadelphia, and there are plans for The Pilates Studio to open in Washington, DC area and in Atlanta in 1997. It is a new form of training here in SA, and we are proud to have our very own pilates studio.

In conclusion
"Pilates doesn't promise you a perfect body, it promises the best body for you", and the results speak for themselves.