The most common question that we receive is, "What is
Pilates?" Pilates is a great form of low impact exercise that
helps to strengthen and lengthen all of the muscles of the body. When
executed with proper and precise technique, it will help to improve
posture and over all balance. Building body awareness, muscle tone, and
core strength while increasing flexibility are some of the many ways
Pilates may enhance your everyday life. Pilates has been shown to help
aid in the recovery of injuries and long tern chronic issues by
increasing and maintaining core strength. With regular practice you can
enjoy a more balanced body and life. -Top of page Pilates vs. Yoga. What's the difference? Pilates is a great form of low impact exercise that
helps to strengthen and lengthen all of the muscles of the body. When
executed with proper and precise technique, it will help to improve
posture and over all balance. Building body awareness, muscle tone, and
core strength while increasing flexibility are some of the many ways
Pilates may enhance your everyday life. Pilates has been shown to help
aid in the recovery of injuries and long tern chronic issues by
increasing and maintaining core strength. With regular practice you can
enjoy a more balanced body and life. -Top of page
Pilates is an exercise program designed to stretch,
strengthen, and balance the body without adding bulk or stressing the
joints. These are just 12 benefits of Pilates:
1. Develop longer and leaner muscles
2. Improve postural problems
3. Increase core strength/stability
4. Helps prevent injury
5. Enhances functional fitness
6. Develop balance, strength and flexibility
7. Body awareness
8. No-impact (easy on joints)
9. Programs customized for everyone from post PT patients to elite athletes
10. Compliments other methods of exercise
11. Improves performance in sports / dance
12. Improves balance, coordination, circulation -Top of page About The Man Himself... Joseph Hubertus Pilates
As a child, German-born Joseph
H. Pilates suffered from a multitude of illnesses resulting in muscular
weakness. Determined to overcome his frailties, he dedicated his life
to becoming physically stronger. He studied yoga, martial arts, Zen
Meditation, and Greek and Roman exercises. He worked with medical
professionals, including physicians and his wife Clara, a nurse. His
experiences led to the development of his unique method of physical and
mental conditioning, which he brought to the United States in 1923.
Unique at the time, Pilates’ method allowed and encouraged movement
early in the rehabilitation process, by providing needed assistance. It
was found that reintroducing movement with nondestructive forces early
in the rehabilitation process hastened the healing process. Building on
the principles of Joseph Pilates, today's Pilates develops a strong
“core,” or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal
muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Pilates exercises
develop core control, integrating the trunk, pelvis, shoulder girdle
and more. -Top of page
Joseph Pilates Quotes:
"My work is 50 years ahead of its time". "Even if you follow no other instructions, learn to
breathe correctly. Breathing is the first act of life, and the last.
Our very life depends on it. To breathe correctly you must completely
exhale and inhale, always trying very hard to squeeze every atom of
impure air from your lungs in much the same manner that you would wring
every drop of water from a wet cloth."
Joseph's definition of physical fitness: "The
attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound
mind fully capable of naturally, easily and satisfactorily performing
our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure -
Everything should be smooth, like a cat. [The exercises are done lying,
sitting, kneeling, etc]... to avoid excess strain on the heart and
lungs... natural movements ... with the emphasis on doing and being".
"A few well-designed movements,
properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing
sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion."
"Patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor."
"I invented all these machines.
Began back in Germany, was there until 1925 used to exercise rheumatic
patients. I thought, why use MY strength? So I made a machine to do it
for me. Look, you see it resists your movements in just the right way
so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way you can
concentrate on movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly.
Then your whole body is in it."
In explaining Contrology's guiding principle, Pilates liked to quote Schiller: "It is the mind itself which builds the body."
"I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The
whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They'd be
happier." - Joseph Hubertus Pilates, in 1965, age 86
"In 10 sessions you will feel the difference. In 20 sessions
you will see the difference. And in 30 sessions you will have a brand
new body."
-Top of page
Frequently Asked Questions...
*What level do I have to be at for Pilates:
Sessions are ideal for beginning to advanced students due to the
specialized attention given by Certified Pilates Teachers here at CORE.
All Personal Pilates Sessions are by appointment only and join us on
Tuesdays for our discount day of Pilates classes; all sessions are
subject to a cancellation fee if notification is not given within 24
hours of appointment. All Pilates sessions typically 50 minutes long.
Please schedule your initial consultation to see where you can start
achieving your goals with your own Personal Pilates Program!
*What is the CORE?
The core is all of the muscles that are focused around the pelvic
girdle which includes the four layers of abdominals the erector spenae,
the glutes and hamstrings as well as the pelvic floor muscles that both
men and women have.
*Why do results occur with Pilates at CORE?
Results occur because at CORE, teachers pay attention to
accountability, technique, breathing, and the body as a whole. We
understand your goals and are there to help you achieve them in a safe,
effective and efficient manner. We help you understand obtainable goals
and unrealistic goals. Once you can set a goal appropriate for you are
more likely to achieve it.
*What is the difference between a gym and our studio?
A gym is a great place to hold your self accountable. It is usually run
on a membership basis and you may or may not know the staff /
instructors or the other members. You must chart your own results and
be proud of yourself for your accomplishments, or lack there of. (you
may hire a Personal Trainer to help you with this process for an extra
fee)
A studio is usually set up by appointment which helps hold you
accountable. It has clients and not members and you know the staff of
the other clients that you are working out with. Your goals are
documented and your results are recorded so that you know what you are
accomplishing or not accomplishing. The classes progress and you are
challenged to a degree that you can handle. There are teachers that
teach the sessions, whether privately or in a class session.
*Can you do Pilates with an injury?
With consent from your doctor absolutely YES! Depending on the degree
of your injury and where it is located you may be asked to workout
privately until the area becomes stable and you are able to do most of
the required exercise. Then you may advance into a multi-person
session. Pilates has been able to help aid with recovery from many
injuries because the focus is on the body as a whole and not just the
injury itself.
We personally have worked with clients with ankle, knee, lumbar,
thoracic, cervical, and clavicle issues due to chronic on set pain
and/or after surgery as well as clients with diabetes, lupus, tennis
elbow, rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulders and marathon runners to
name a few.