pilates on you

“Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.”
Pilates is not just about great posture and a rock-hard core. It is more than just a physical exercise, and can radically enhance mental, emotional and spiritual well being too.

THE PUSH UP

“Man should bear in mind and ponder over the Greek admonition: Not Too Much, Not Too Little.”
Invoking the Greek physician Hippocrates, the founder of medicine, Joseph Pilates was keen to stress that one should not become fixated with exercise: a body-builder’s obsession with exercise, for example, was for Joseph Pilates unhealthy.
Balance is what he advocated: nothing more, nothing less.
For someone who quite literally revolutionised the entire health & fitness industry, it is quite fitting that Joseph Pilates is also a great thinker.

THE CONTROL BALANCE

This emphasize engaging the deep core muscles. By targeting the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and pelvic floor muscles, practitioners develop a strong foundation, leading to improved spinal alignment, posture, and overall stability.

“Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things.”
Although Joseph Pilates himself discovered the redemptive and transformative qualities of exercise at a very early age. A lifetime teaching his methods showed him that even relatively old people can still drastically improve their physical and emotional well being.

THE ROCKING

Rocking,” which means swinging, stretches all the muscles in the front of the body and strengthens the muscles in the back of the body.

“Everyone is the architect of their own happiness.”
As a sickly child who went on to become, quite literally, a brand and byword for physical fitness. Joseph Pilates realised that people are able to effect radical personal change – if they are willing to commit to it.

THE CRAB

Is an advanced classic of Joe. It is a bearing and so it massages the column and forges the C Curve. Because it has a headrest, it’s advanced. The purpose of the support is to stretch and strengthen the neck muscles. The shape of the legs in external rotation and the arms when holding them characterize the shape similar to a crab, hence the name of the exercise. For this positioning of the lower limbs, good flexibility of the hips and knees is necessary.

“Change happens through movement and movement heals.”
Stooped over computers all day, our musculature actually develops to accommodate that position: we become slouched. Pilates can actually correct that slouch: through carefully focusing on specific movements, Pilates stretches the muscles surrounding the spine – people can literally end up taller.

THE SEAL

Is a Classical Pilates exercise near the end of the Mat order. The rhythmic rolling gives the spine a much needed massage.

“Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking, nor outright purchase.”
Pilates is not aerobics: as with yoga, it takes a bit of practice to properly master some of the techniques, so you need to stick at it to really reap rewards.
Most people find that even a handful of sessions is enough to start feeling fitter and stronger. But stick with it for about 10 sessions, and most people will definitely feel significant change.

THE BOOMERANG

Is one of Joseph Pilates’ original 34 exercises. It comes towards the end at #29 making it one of the more advanced exercises. Boomerang is a “kitchen sink” exercise. Inside are, Rollover, Teaser, and Spine Stretch, with a bit of reformer Rowings tossed in for good measure.