The Pilates Method
The Pilates Exercise Technique
The Pilates Method was originally created by Joseph Pilates early in the C20th, as a means of building a strong, healthy, balanced mind and body. Where many exercise techniques isolate muscles and build them individually, Pilates works the body as a whole, so that muscles work together. Weak muscles are strengthened and overused or tight muscles are stretched and lengthened.
The technique is currently rising significantly in popularity, however the benefits of Pilates have been experienced for decades by dancers, gymnasts, sportsmen and a steady following in America since Joseph Pilates opened his first studio in New York in the 1920's.
Benefits Of Pilates include: improved posture, rehabilitation after injury, strengthened and toned muscles, increased flexibility, reduced stress, leaner physique, more controlled movement and increased core stability and strength, of which the benefits are immeasureable.
Who Can Benefit From Pilates?
Everyone can benefit from Pilates, as exercises are tailored to an individuals needs or abilities. There are no age restrictions or limits according to ability. Anyone wanting to improve their posture or flexibility will enjoy the benefits of Pilates, as will anyone wanting to change the contours of their body and lengthen muscles.
People suffering from serious illness or injury should consult their doctor first, but there is a wide scope for accommodation and Pilates is world renowned as a great method of injury rehabilitation.
Pilates & Pregnancy
Although we do advise that everyone should always consult their doctor before undertaking any exercise regime during pregnancy, the Pilates method does encompass excellent antenatal and postnatal repertoire. To read testimonials from women that did Pilates during and after their pregnacies, please visit our testimonials page.
Pilates for Athletes and Sport Enthusiasts
Athletes in particular reap extraordinary benefits from regular Pilates, and tend to notice measureable improvement after only a few Pilates sessions. Their technique and performance becomes more controlled and precise as they become stronger and are physically reacquainted with their bodies and it's movement.
The Pilates exercises work towards strengthening the core muscles of the body, as well as the supporting muscle groups. This is in contrast to focusing on solely the major muscles, as is the tendency of many popular exercise regimes. It's common for people who have athletic lifestyles or who participate in sports (especially competitively) to focus on only the major or 'obvious' muscles groups while training. Oftentimes repeating the same training rituals over and over again in order to perfect their goals, important supporting muscles are neglected, and core strength training is commonly ignored. This results in a weak body as a whole with lots of 'compensating'. This means less than optimum athletic performance and to make matters worse, will often lead to injury at some point.
An experienced Pilates teacher will identify weakness in the body and areas where the body is compensating or lacking in stability, and will tailor excercises to build strength in these areas and restabilize and re-align the body. The result is greater total body strength and body 'awareness', and in turn - a stronger golf swing, a more powerful breast stroke, or more purposeful and controlled running, walking, or jumping.
When the body works as a whole, it works smarter, not harder, and performs better!
For Golfers: Pilates can help you greatly improve your golf game. Perfect your set up, swing, hit, follow through, down swing and back swing! Pilates can build shoulder girdle stability, pelvic stability, and strong spinal rotation. Strengthen your body for a better game now while also reducing the likelihood of a future sports related injury.
For Tennis Enthusiasts: Pilates can help you improve your lobbing and back hand by working on your rotator cuff stability and flexibility and your scapulae stability. Strengthen your body for a better game now while also reducing the likelihood of future sports related injuries.