| tart --> | | | | If you find a Pilates studio will first have an interview |
| A concept developed by Joseph Pilates, based on | | | | with an instructor. He or she will do a survey on your |
| the idea of physical-mind methodology, his system of | | | | posture, and how you move. |
| non-impact exercises are meant to develop ones | | | | Then a specially designed training program is |
| strength, balance, flexibility and self-consciousness. | | | | developed specifically for you, using classic (or newly |
| It's a great excersie for both you and old and is both | | | | adapted) Pilate's method movements. |
| enjoyable and healthy lets look at the basics of | | | | Your program will usually begin with some active and |
| pilates. | | | | passive stretching movements, and general mat |
| The concept | | | | work. Passive stretching means the instructor will |
| Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He will | | | | manipulate your body to get the desired effects. |
| very ill as a child, and wished to find a way to make | | | | Active stretching means you will perform the |
| himself physically fit. He tirelessly studied all systems | | | | stretching exercises as you are monitored by the |
| of physical culture, and eventually became a real | | | | instructor. |
| athlete. | | | | Working on a Pilates Machine |
| Later as the First World War broke out, Pilates was | | | | There are two basic machines in the Pilates method. |
| restrained in England as he was German. | | | | One is known as the Universal Reformer (UF) and |
| There he worked as a nurse and devised some | | | | one as the Cadillac. |
| contraptions to aid rehabilitation. This was later | | | | The UF looks much like a bed without a mattress. It |
| refined into his 'method', which trains the basic back | | | | has a platform that slides back and forth, and many |
| and abdominal muscles to stabilize correctly the upper | | | | cables, springs and pulleys. |
| torso, and gives the whole body a freer more natural | | | | These are vestiges of the original Pilates machinery |
| movement. | | | | that he devised for patients in bed, and so exercises |
| The Method and Benefits | | | | can be done to suit the patient's movement |
| Specifically the method is a specialized series of | | | | capabilities. Your exercise session will last about 30 |
| movements that can be used by anyone at any age | | | | minutes, maybe a bit longer. |
| and in any kind of physical condition, even for people | | | | All movements are done very slowly, and there is a |
| who are in wheelchairs. | | | | lot of commentary from the instructor regarding all |
| As his method promotes feelings of well-being, and | | | | the variables; breathing, posture alignment and the |
| self-consciousness, people who practice it find | | | | way the movements are performed. |
| themselves improving at many levels. | | | | There are now many books and home videos (and |
| The method acts to strengthen one's muscles, and | | | | many can be found on the internet) that will allow a |
| give them greater flexibility. It does so without | | | | person to practice without an instructor. However, it |
| adding muscle mass, and therefore its ideal for | | | | is highly advised to at least learn the basics with an |
| dancers. | | | | instructor first. |
| Also a benefit of practicing the method is that by | | | | The Popularity of Pilates |
| improving your posture, your flexibility and your | | | | The method can be said to be nearly universal now. |
| sense of balance, you can prevent injury. | | | | Dancers love it, as it gives them the added benefit |
| This is very important in older adults, dancers and | | | | of strength without more muscle mass. |
| actors. The method is also an excellent aid to | | | | Also it give them a great deal of flexibility. Athletes |
| rehabilitation. | | | | love it as it helps them improve their sport, and also |
| Working With a Pilates Instructor | | | | prevent injury. |