 What is Pilates?
Developed
in the 1920's by the legendary physical trainer, Joseph H. Pilates, the Pilates
Method is a series of approximately 500 exercises across a wide range of
specially designed exercise equipment, used for Fitness Pilates and
Rehabilitation Pilates.
There are three components to the Pilates Method:
- The principles
- The exercises
- The equipment
The principles
The principles are the foundation of strong and effective movement. Pilates
participants will benefit from this unique form of exercise, not only in class,
but in life. Adopt these principles in general living and reap the rewards.
Pilates offers peak physical conditioning working from the inside out.
To fully benefit from the Pilates method, you must learn to flow from one
movement to the next, building stamina and cardiovascular fitness with the
following basic exercise regime:
-
 Centering
- Alignment
- Breathing
- Control
- Precision
- Flowing movement
- Integration
Note that every studio, teacher, book, video or training organisation may
introduce its own variations and different emphasis on those principles.
The exercises
 Pilates
and yoga share similar goals, with both systems based on individual progress in
a non-competitive arena, and both systems putting emphasis on stretching as well
as strengthening of muscles. However, the Pilates system works the body as a
whole, coordinating the upper and lower musculature with the body’s centre. This
dramatically improves strength, flexibility, posture and coordination.
The equipment
The most popular exercise repertoire in the world is mat-based Pilates.
However, a fully equipped Pilates studio would have other spring and gravity
based resistance equipment, such as:
- Reformers
- Circles
- Cadillac /trap table
- Wunda chair
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- Pedipull
- Barrels
- Ladder barrel
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The most common piece of equipment in any Pilates studio is the reformer -
a moveable carriage for pushing and pulling. Invented in the 1940’s by Joseph
Pilates, the older style reformers traditionally utilised springs as resistance.
However, manufacturers over recent years have introduced many innovations such
as lightweight and modern materials, adjustability, and gravity resistance. This
has lead to the reformers being the most popular piece of Pilates equipment
throughout the world today.
 Mat-based
Pilates
Our classes and our videos are mat-based Pilates. The goal of mat work is to
stretch and strengthen the body while focusing upon control and posture. Pilates
is designed to work directly with the deepest muscles in the body to create a
strong core without the pain often associated with traditional exercise. As you
stretch your muscles, you strengthen them. Throughout the floor class, there is
no fear of your muscles not being warmed up. There is no tearing of muscle
tissue or jarring impact on your joints. Each exercise we teach has a prescribed
maximum number of repetitions. Unlike many gym classes where they perform
endless repetitions, the Pilates method assumes that if you are doing the
exercises correctly, your muscles would be working so precisely and efficiently
you would not need to do any more.
Your goal when participating a mat-based class or following our video, should
be to master the beginner exercises, giving your body a chance to perform them
correctly. This takes both persistence and patience. Don't give up easily as
practice makes perfect!! You will find yourself working new muscles that you
didn't know you had. Even some of our fittest athletes have had difficulty
performing some of the most basic movements.
The Pilates mat work is designed to accommodate all levels of fitness. You
must start slowly and progress slowly, never pushing your body past the point of
comfortable movement. The movements of the mat work are structured around the
abdominals, hips, buttocks and lower back - the 'powerhouse' of the torso. These
movements are instrumental in maintaining good posture and alignment.
Please read our frequently asked questions page for
additional information.
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