What is Pilates?

Pilates is a full-mind/body exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates and his wife Clara in the 1920’s. It uses a series of machines and exercises that work and condition the whole body, in unison, while focusing on breath to activate the mind/body connection, providing a level of integrative fitness that is hard to find in any other fitness system.

Pilates conditions the whole body, even the ankles and feet.

No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Your entire body is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease, better performance and less chance of injury.

Pilates emphasizes complete concentration on smooth, flowing movement, and proper breathing. You become aware of how your body feels, where it is in space, and how best to control its movement.

We tend to live in a single plane of movement, working the same muscles every day. These repetitive movements are what make us so leg and chest dominant. One of goals of Pilates is to balance your muscles by targeting and strengthening the ones you don't usually use in your day-to-day life but would benefit from them being stronger.

Your Powerhouse

Pilates exercises develop a strong “core,” or center of the body. Joseph Pilates referred to this as “the powerhouse” or the group of muscles that begins two inches below your navel, goes two inches above your navel and then wraps completely around your front and your back-kind of like a corset consisting of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. It also includes your buttocks.

Your core is more than just your abdominals.

It is the space from your shoulders to your hips.  Everything you do stems from the core, which is why it is so important to have a strong one!

Pilates provides a foundation for any kind of movement. It increases strength, balance, and muscular development, as well as flexibility and increased range of motion.

Quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions.

Pilates emphasizes complete concentration on smooth, flowing movement, and proper breathing.

You become aware of how your body feels, where it is in space, and how best to control its movement.

By emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and concentration on smooth, flowing movement, you become in tune with your body and actually learn how to control its movement.

The Six Principles of Pilates

• Concentration. This is one of the most important principle in Pilates. To perform the exercises properly we must concentrate fully and with mindful intent being aware of every aspect of your body's movement, alignment, sensations, and muscle flexes.

• Control. Every exercise in Pilates should be done with control. Fundamentally, it's about you being in control of your body and not using momentum.

• Centering. Evenly using your body during the exercises is important. Think of a plumb line down the middle of the body working both sides evenly initiating movement from the center of the body outward toward the periphery.

• Fluidity. When performed properly, Pilates is light and fluid. The goal is to move with greater ease and grace within each exercise and from exercise to exercise, looking something like a dance, where every movement flows into the next.

• Precision. It's all in the details. You try to make each movement as precise as possible; alignment, placement of your limbs, position of each part of your body is paramount and a central aspect of how and why Joseph Pilates designed this system of exercise.

• Breath. “Breath equals life” - Joseph Pilates. The natural rhythm of breath enhances the fluidity of the movement. Connect the mind and body with the breath - focus on the exhale to deepen into your powerhouse.

Frequently Asked Questions