What is Pilates?
A form of exercise originally created by Joseph H. Pilates in the early 1920’s, Pilates concentrates on working the smaller, weaker internal muscles as well as the stronger exterior muscles. Pilates starts at the core of the body; our abdominal, back, and buttocks muscles. These are some of the weakest muscles in our body yet they house and protect our most vital organs. Pilates works the entire body as a whole unit but, always pulls it’s strength and concentration from the core outward to the extremities.
Breathing
Diaphragmatic or lateral breathing plays a large part in learning the Pilates technique. It also stimulates oxygen flow throughout the body helping to detoxify the system. Pilates increases lung capacity and flexibility in the intracostal muscles teaching ease of breathing throughout each exercise performed causing the exercises to become very aerobic. In the more advanced levels of Pilates a person should be able to maintain their target heart rate through the majority of the workout.
Results
Pilates is not about lifting heavy weights, going through countless repetitions, jumping up and down, or creating pounding stresses which compact the vertebra of the spine and other joints that we need to function in our daily lives. Pilates shapes a body into a well balanced structure of incredible core strength, endurance, flexibility, enhanced lung capacity, and lean lengthened muscle mass without joint or back injury or pain. Pilates exercises can be modified for any physical condition, no two workouts are alike, and they are designed toward each individual’s needs and goals.
What about weight training?
Gyms and fitness centers with weight machines or fast-circuit training routines concentrate on the muscles that are already strong. Those muscles get stronger and shorter through the constant contractions of weight lifting. The weaker muscles remain weak or only respond marginally. This creates an imbalance of strength in the body and an unbalanced body is just an injury waiting to happen. Statistics show that the most common injuries occur in the back, even in people who feel they are fit because of regular exercise. It is also a fact that if you are unaware of an imbalance in your body you may exercise yourself into greater instability causing permanent problems later on in life.
Posture and strength
Regular exercise routines once stopped do not last long. Muscle atrophy kicks in pretty fast and people feel that they have to start all over again. Exercising by controlling the movement and perfect form of the body, teaches you to restructure balancing your posture and strength. The results may take a little longer to achieve, but they will also last longer. If you stop your Pilates program, it will not disappear immediately, and when you start up again, it will feel as if you had only stopped yesterday.
The goal
The goal of the Pilates Method is to produce awareness and fluidity of movement that begins with an inner strength at the core of the body and radiates outward. Mind over body controls the movements you perform as second nature no matter what activity you are engaging in. The result is a healthy body that feels and looks good both inside and out!