What is Pilates ?

The following information will give you a guide to the important techniques that we need to use during the exercises.  

Pilates (pronounced Pi-lah-tees) is a system of body conditioning designed to strengthen and lengthen the body's muscles with emphasis on reducing incidence of back pain and injury. 

It is an ideal anti-ageing exercise, because it tones and strengthens the muscles without the impact on joints.  It improves posture and strengthens the parts of the body that age attacks, including the stomach muscles, inner thighs and upper arms.  Many forms of exercise create tightening of certain muscles while overstretching others.  Pilates is a method that aims to create a balance in the body, designed to cater for the needs of the individual.

 Pilates can benefit people ranging from triathletes to ballet dancers, from new mothers to those who suffer from lower back discomfort.  Widely used by dancers, Olympic and professional athletes, sports teams and actors, Pilates is becoming more commonly used by individuals of varying ages and ability.  

The exercises are gentle on joints yet challenging on muscles, suitable for anyone who wants to improve muscle strength and flexibility, improve co-ordination and balance, tone muscles and improve posture. 

Pilates, a fusion of western and eastern philosophies, teaches you about breathing with movement, body mechanics, balance, co-ordination, positioning of the body, spatial awareness, strength and flexibility.  For full benefit of the method, you’ll learn to flow from one movement to the next building stamina and cardiovascular fitness, using the basic principles of the Pilates exercise repertoire: concentration; breathing; centering; relaxation, quality, co-ordination, flowing movement and Stamina.

 Pilates and yoga share similar goals, with both systems believing in individual progress in a non-competitive arena, with emphasis on stretching as well as strengthening of muscles.  However, the Pilates system works the body as a whole, co-ordinating the upper and lower musculature with the body’s centre. This dramatically improves strength, flexibility, posture and co-ordination.

 The most popular exercise repertoire in the world is the floor mat work, due to its accessibility, found in health clubs, leisure centres or village halls.