ABOUT PILATES
Joseph Pilates was sickly as a child with ailments including asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever.
He worked hard to overcome his health challenges and became a skilled diver, gymnast, circus performer, boxer and fitness instructor. During the latter part of WWI, as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man, he began working with patients that could not walk. It was there that he designed “ the Cadillac” which involved placing springs on the patient's bed to support their limbs. This was the first of the Pilates equipment we still use today.
In 1926 in New York, Joseph and his wife Clara founded the ‘Body Conditioning Gym’ which is considered the birthplace of the Pilates we know today. In his book “Return to life Through Contrology” based on his overriding concept of balancing one’s mind and body, Joseph states that “Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit.”
Principles of Pilates:
Centering: The center of our body, between the lower ribs and pubic bone, is known as “ the powerhouse”. Pilates exercises are powered by our core, so it’s vital to bring focus to this during the exercise.
Concentration: By bringing full attention and commitment to the exercise , the practitioner will achieve the greatest benefit possible for each movement.
Control: every movement is controlled and deliberate; no body part is left unnoticed by the mind.
Precision: Every movement is precise with each alignment relative to other body parts.
Breath: It is important to use a full breath during every exercise. Therefore, coordinating one’s breathing with each exercise is integral to Pilates.
Flow: Pilates is fluid and graceful, allowing the energy of the exercise to flow through the entire body.
“The key to the apparatus is they make you do the work yourself. Often, the fewer the springs, the harder the exercise. The spring provides or creates endurance, not excess strength. Everything about the method is based on moving naturally.” - Romana Kryzanowska