Pilates works to rebalance the body while promoting functional and easy movement. A Pilates teacher will seek to identify structural imbalances and dysfunctional movement patterns within the body, and then by applying the Pilates exercises will help the client move towards regaining easier physical movement. This is often achieved by strengthening the deep postural muscles, focusing on alignment, posture and the inherent connection between body, mind and breath.
Pilates can be carried out simply on the mat or by using specialised Pilates equipment, such as the Cadillac or Reformer.
The most wonderful thing about Pilates is that it is incredibly adaptable and can be made accessible to almost everyone, creating long, lean and supple bodies!
"The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit."
- Joseph Pilates
Pilates History
Although a continuously evolving practice, Pilates originated in the early 1900’s by German-born Joseph Pilates. As a child, Joseph Pilates suffered from Illness and frailty that, as a young man, inspired him to research and consider various exercise regimes aimed at building the ideal healthy and strong individual. This was the starting point for the Pilates method, at that time called ‘Contrology’. In years to follow, Joseph Pilates taught his method of Contrology to various groups of people, including patients on a hospital ward during the later part of World War I. It was on this ward that the first Pilates machines were developed by attaching springs to the hospital beds to enable the patients to exercise.
Joseph Pilates moved to the USA in 1926 where he continued to develop the Pilates technique with his wife Clara, using specialist Pilates machinery in their New York Studio. The studio was very popular with dancers and gymnasts, and was promoted by famous dancers such as George Balanchine and Martha Graham. The techniques were a key factor in rehabilitation of injuries and the regaining of strength, flexibility and ease of movement.
Since then, Pilates has grown in popularity and understanding and is now practiced regularly all over the world by a diverse range of people, both on the mat and using the Pilates machines.
"A man is as old as his spine is flexible!"
- Joseph Pilates