| Pilates uses the mind to control the muscles.The | | | | with you. It is like skating, or riding a bike. If you do |
| program focuses on the core postural muscles which | | | | not learn all this then the actual exercises will be all |
| help keep the body balanced and which are essential | | | | for nothing. You want quality, not quantity. And it can |
| to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates | | | | be dangerous as well, and you can do yourself more |
| exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment | | | | harm than good. |
| of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso | | | | I started Pilates and yoga for balance, flexibility, and |
| muscles. Pilates improves your mental and physical | | | | core strength to help me with figure skating. I do |
| well-being, increases flexibility, and strengthens core | | | | have to say the overall result is great; including |
| muscles. People who do pilates regularly feel they | | | | health-wise. You don't need to spend "mega" bucks |
| have better posture, are less prone to injury, and | | | | on equipments for Pilates; I do recommend the mat |
| experience better overall health. If you want to work | | | | and the ball. The ball gets deflated for easy storage. |
| your body to the core, try Pilates. | | | | There is plenty of information available for anyone |
| There are two forms of Pilates. They are: Mat-based | | | | interested, but I do advise investing in an |
| and Equipment-based. Mat-based Pilates is a series of | | | | introductory class, for proper guidance and proper |
| exercises performed on the floor using gravity and | | | | form. Those are of extreme importance. It is a |
| your own body weight to provide the resistance. | | | | worthwhile investment. Once the theory is grasped, |
| The objective is to condition the deeper, supporting | | | | the rest is really up to you. Not much equipment is |
| muscles of the body to improve posture, balance and | | | | required. You actually have to use your own body |
| coordination. Equipment-based Pilates - uses specific | | | | weight to build muscle mass. |
| equipment such as the "Reformer," which looks like a | | | | Pilates is designed to combine your breathing rhythm |
| rowing machine that you push and pull along the floor. | | | | with your body movements. It relies on a variety of |
| These classes can be easier for beginners because | | | | special body movements which strengthen, and tone |
| the machines support you when you do the | | | | the various muscle groups of the body. It is a series |
| movements. | | | | of controlled movements engaging your body and |
| There is a lot more to Pilates than just exercise. You | | | | mind, promoting physical harmony and balance for |
| have to have correct breathing, which is very | | | | people of all ages and physical conditions. Don't |
| important. Pilates helps develop your core strength, | | | | expect to see immediate results. It will take a few |
| little bit complicated. You then have to learn to isolate | | | | weeks before you'll see changes in your body. |
| certain muscle groups, for instance pelvic floor and | | | | Combine your sessions with some heart-pumping |
| the abdominal muscle. It took me a couple of months | | | | activities and Pilates can help you achieve total body |
| and two private sessions a week to learn how to do | | | | fitness - endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance. |
| most of it correctly. Once you can stabilize the hips, | | | | Proper breathing is important as well as posture. It is |
| back and abdomen only then can you move into the | | | | very important to do Pilates using the proper form, |
| 'exercises'. However once you learn the correct | | | | because if you do it wrong, it will be self defeating. |
| techniques, it always comes back to you. It remains | | | | |