Pilates

Pilates – Renaissance In Fitness World

What is Pilates?

Pilates in simple terms, is a form of exercise that targets the core of the body, the abdomen back and hips while using the entire body. It builds strength without bulk, improves flexibility and agility and helps prevent injury.

Developed from the rehabilitation technique later adopted by dancers and athletes is now embraced by millions. No matter your age or condition, it works for all.

About Joseph Pilate, founder of Pilates:

Joseph .H. Pilate was born in Monchengladbach, Germany in 1880. a sickly child, who suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, he decided his entire life to becoming physically stronger. At the age of i4 after studying bodybuilding and gymnastics he was fit enough to pose for anatomical charts. He was of belief that the modern life style, bad posture and inefficient breathing were the roots of poor health and so he devised a series of exercise, training techniques and engineered all the equipment, specifications and learning required to teach them properly. He designed his exercise program around principles that support this philosophy, including concentration, precision, and control breathing and flowing movements.

In 1960, he and his wife Clara found studio in New York City and they directly taught and supervised their students well into the 1960’s. Pilates and his method were originally called “Contrology” refers to way his method encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles. Pilate practiced what he preached and lived a long healthy life.

He also wrote several books including “Return to life through Contrology”, and “Your Health”. They had many disciples who continued to teach variations of his method at the same time preserving the old.

Principles of Pilate’s method:

Concentration - focus on an area Control - muscle control Center - energy is exerted from your center Fluidity - dynamic grace of motion Precision - perfect movement not half hearted Breath - proper breathing

Methods to use Pilates:

There are two ways to exercise in Pilates.

Most people focus on the mat exercises, which require only a floor mat and training. These exercises are designed so that your body uses its own weight as resistance. The other method of Pilates uses a variety of machines to tone and strengthen the body again using the principle of resistance.

Advantages of Pilates:

1.It builds strength without bulking up. 2.It increases flexibility and agility. 3.It develops optimal core control. 4.It creates flat abdominals, slender thighs and a strong back 5.It is a refreshing mind body workout. 6.It is challenging yet safe. 7.It helps you to learn efficient patterns of motion. 8.It creates conditioned body and prevents sport injuries.

Some tips to get the best results of your Pilates workout:

1.Let it be an easy flow: avoid quick jerky movements, when you perform your exercises. Every moment should be slow, but still strong and flexible. This method is designed to flow like a dance.

2.Stay focused: the workout is coordinated with breathing. Breathing should be done with concentration, control and precision. It should be properly coordinated with movement.

3.Be comfortable: Wear comfortable clothes, (shorts or tights and a T- shirt or tank top are good choices) and keeping in mind Pilates are done without shoes. If any uncomfortable or pain is experienced you should stop.

The nature of these exercise is gentle and the music play along is soft, therefore making it a way of physical therapy. Doing Pilates at the start of the day energizes you and ending your day with it would help release stress. Pilates exercise dramatically transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs.