Pilates
Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement. For many years, Pilates was originally used to rehabilitate bedridden or immobile patients during World War I. Joseph Pilates believed that our physical and mental health are intertwined. He designed his exercise program around principles that support this philosophy, including concentration, precision, control, breathing, and flowing movements.
This
exercise method essentially improves mental and physical well-being, increases
flexibility, and strengthens muscles through controlled movements done as mat
exercises or with equipment to tone and strengthen the body. Additionally, Pilates
increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body's torso.
The core muscles are the deep,
internal muscles of the abdomen and back. When the core muscles are strong and
doing their job, as they are trained to do in Pilates, they work in tandem with
the more superficial muscles of the trunk to support the spine and movement.
This is one of the ways Pilates
helps people overcome back pain. As the trunk is properly stabilized, pressure
on the back is relieved and the body is able to move freely and efficiently.
People who do Pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone
to injury, and experience better overall health.
There are 6
Pilaties principles to this exercise. Each of them is essential to a high
quality Pilates workout. The Pilates
method has always emphasized quality over quantity, and you will find that,
unlike many systems of exercise, Pilates exercises do not include a lot of
repetitions for each move. Instead, doing each exercise fully, with precision,
yields significant results .Pilates flexible system allows for different
exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginning to advanced
levels. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts
to the exercises. No muscle group is under or over trained. It enhances core
strength and brings increased reach, flexibility, sure-footedness and agility.
These
exercises are designed so that your body uses its own weight as resistance.
Pilates exercises are done on
either on a mat on the floor, Pilates mat work, or on exercise equipment. The workout
equipment that people use in Pilates utilizes pulleys and resistance from the
participants own body weight on the machine and graduated levels of springs. Most
people focus on the mat exercises, which require only a floor mat and training.
The Pilates mat program was designed to help beginners start with basic
exercises and build up to include additional exercises and more advanced
positioning. The other method uses a variety of machines to tone and strengthen
the body, again using the principle of resistance.
Nowadays, it
seems like everyone is either taking up Pilates, or having an interest in
starting a Pilates exercise program. Because Pilates has gained lots of attention recently, lots
of classes are available. One of the best things about the Pilates method is
that it works so well for a wide range of people. Athletes and dancers enjoy it, as do
seniors, women rebounding from pregnancy, and people who at various stages of
physical rehabilitation. Furthermore, it is also one of the most popular choices
of exercise for gymnasts, and Hollywood celebrities.