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          - What is Pilates and why should I "do" Pilates?












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- What is Pilates?
- Pilates vs. Yoga
- 12 benefits of Pilates
- Who is Joe?
- Pilates quotes
- FAQs

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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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."
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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.  

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