what is PILATES
pilates is an EXERCISE METHOD, which was invented by JOSEPH PILATES at the turn of the last century. he suffered from asthma and rickets and was really determined to overcome his ailments. he was able to overcome these through STUDYING GREEK AND ROMAN REGIMES and ancient philosophy, which involved STRETCHING AND BREATHING. he also educated himself in ANATOMY, body building, YOGA, gymnastics and MARTIAL ARTS. he became a gymnast, a diver and an incredible GENIUS OF THE BODY as described by BALLANCHINE.
before World War I he was touring England as a circus performer and professional boxer, and even teaching self-defense to the Scotland Yard police force. when the war broke out, he found himself interned in England as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man. he helped the patients in camps through ISOMETRIC RESISTANCE exercises which IMPROVED their breathing and their OVERALL HEALTH, helping them to overcome the influenza epidemic that spread around the camp.
pilates took SPRINGS from the beds and attached them to the headboards and footboards of the iron bed frames, turning them into equipment that provided a type of RESISTANCE EXERCISES for his bedridden "patients".
those were the first prototypes of the apparatus that we see today and the MATWORK, his FIRST LOVE, which we see taught in classes all over the world. REHABILITATIVE and is STRENGTH TRAINING by nature.
he designed a unique series of vigorous physical exercises which help to CORRECT muscular IMBALANCES and improve POSTURE, COORDINATION, BALANCE, STRENGTH, and FLEXIBILITY, as well as to increase breathing capacity and organ function. he also invented a VARIETY of machines, based on SPRING RESISTANCE, which could be used to perform these exercises.
What are the BENEFITS OF PILATES:
pilates addresses a multiplicity of needs in all kinds of populations. it is STRENGTH TRAINING and it also works on helping people with shoulder injuries, back INJURIES and knee injuries.
it corrects and improves SCOLIOSIS, which is curvature of the spine. it is endless in its capacity. it can strengthen women for PRE and POST NATAL activities, it’s great for the elderly and young people. it teaches people correct POSTURE and greater AWARENESS of the mind body connection.
Who can BENEFIT from pilates?
EVERYBODY benefits from pilates. it doesn’t matter what LEVEL OF FITNESS, what kind of BODYSHAPE or style you have. it benefits everyone from teens to seniors.
it benefits professional ATHLETES, dancers and is also a wonderful technique for people who have never exercised. it’s a MIND BODY MOVEMENT THAT APPEALS to people because it has so few repetitions and requires INCREDIBLY FOCUS, and shows IMMEDIATE results when you do it.
Can pilates be used for PHYSICAL THERAPY?
joseph pilates used this technique not just for strength training but for REHABILITATIVE purposes.
pilates super CHARGES physical therapy by bringing people into a CORE STABILISATION awareness. rehabilitation could be of any form from a rotator cuff injury to a torn meniscus or a sprained ankle. ITS A PERFECT COMPLIMENT to physical therapy.
can pilates HELP WITH ATHLETES? pilates developed many of his exercises to help him in his own personal pursuits and because he was a gymnast a diver and a boxer.
pilates does amazing things for any KIND OF SPORT you undertake. it’s great for GOLF, TENNIS, its wonderful for HORSEBACK riding. SWIMMERS benefit and RUNNERS because of their tight hamstrings. athletes report TREMENDOUS AND IMMEDIATE results when they start to.
pilates is BENEFICIAL FOR ALL SPORTS. it will always improve your PERFORMANCE, your focus, your attention to detail and overall fitness.
