| Pilates, developed in the late 1920s by Joseph Pilates, | | | | tempo of your pilates routine. Counting breathing |
| has gained widespread popularity and is now | | | | cycles or seconds for each pose or exercise helps |
| practised in a variety of forms at home and in fitness | | | | you modulate the routine's timing. Music is another |
| studios. Its claimed benefits are numerous - improved | | | | factor for adding enjoyment and pacing. Typically, |
| muscle tone, posture, coordination, flexibility, core | | | | music appropriate for pilates is slower and |
| strength, and the ability to move more gracefully and | | | | instrumental, but the choice is always yours. It is wise |
| fluidly. Mentally, by using controlled breathing and a | | | | however, to select a professionally made CD that |
| varied routine, powers of concentration and focus | | | | has a gentle transition between songs. The key is to |
| are enhanced. The ideal pilates routine strives to be | | | | use something that is not choppy but also inspires |
| low impact, easy to follow and will not leave you | | | | and challenges you. |
| feeling fatigued the way an aerobic or weight training | | | | Boredom is one of the biggest obstacle to sustaining |
| workout can. Through attending pilates classes or | | | | your pilates workout over time. Doing the same |
| purchasing videos and dvds, it is easily attainable to | | | | routine over and over again becomes monotonous. |
| learn the basics. For those who lack the time or | | | | There are any number of ways to make your |
| inclination to participate in classes, designing and | | | | routine more fun, challenging a varied. It is important |
| following your own pilates routine can be fun and | | | | to first establish proper form, breathing patterns and |
| rewarding both mentally and physically. This article will | | | | technique. Once this is accomplished, there are a |
| highlight advice and tips for those wishing to follow | | | | multitude of books, videos and dvds with exercise |
| their own pilates routine. | | | | variations. Find resources with detailed instructions on |
| Your pilates routine should begin with a warm up that | | | | proper form, so that these new moves can be |
| emphasizes flexibility, maintaining proper body position | | | | incorporated with the maximum benefit. Fitness balls, |
| and circulation. The routine should make use of | | | | circles and resistance bands are pieces of equipment |
| positions and poses that exercise the core as well as | | | | that you can use to make your workout more |
| specific areas such as the buttocks, arms and legs. It | | | | interesting and target different muscle sets. Again, |
| is important to follow exercises that move | | | | the key is to learn and practice correct use first |
| seamlessly from one to another. Your routine should | | | | before working these exercise props into your |
| resemble a dance in that there are a series of | | | | routine. |
| movements beginning in one area and transitioning to | | | | Designing and modifying your own pilates routine can |
| the next. You never want to be moving up and | | | | add much greater joy and benefits to your workout. |
| down constantly or abruptly from the floor. One | | | | Your own routine is conducive to an environment |
| exercise should lead smoothly to the next. Time | | | | that is not competitive or judgmental. As with all |
| must also be alloted at the end for a cool down and | | | | endeavors, it is your dedication, and desire to |
| stretching | | | | maintain a high level of health and well being that will |
| There are a number of ways to help control the | | | | determine your results. |