What is Pilates ?

Pilates is a body conditioning method that works in a different way to other fitness techniques. Targeting the deep postural muscles, Pilates works by building strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment. It helps to reshape your body, which will become longer, leaner and more toned. It will also improve your posture, achieving the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. And it is a great way to relieve unwanted stress and tension. It's slow, controlled approach provides long term result and it is especially recommended by medical specialists for those with back problems.

Pilates changes the way in which we use our bodies. It changes muscle recruitment patterns, corrects common muscle imbalances, restores good alignment and helps maintain natural, normal movement.

These are just some of the benefits of Pilates:

· greater strength and muscle tone

· more efficient respiratory, lymphatic and circulatory systems

· better posture

· a flatter stomach and trimmer waist

· improved flexibility

· less incidence of back pain

· increased joint mobility

· lower stress level

Many people mistake Pilates for a "wimpy" type of workout and fail to realize how important or difficult Pilates can be. We are conformed to think we get "EVERYTHING" through weights or cardiovascular exercise alone. Adding Pilates to your exercise plan will enhance flexibility, increase strength and improve core balance without adding undue stress on the spine. Breath control is also highly emphasized to increase range of motion while improving the posture and alignment. Pilates will work muscles in an isometric fashion causing us to work deep within the intrinsic, or stabilizer, muscles. We tend to work our strengths and neglect our weaknesses which in turn causes bad posture, lower back pain, tight hip flexors, and many other problems down the road.

Anyone can do Pilates, especially those who are older, have current back problems, or post-rehab patients. Pilates teaches efficient breath pattern, finds muscle imbalances and helps focus on reactivating the muscles that are not working at the appropriate time with the appropriate effort. Since Pilates originates from the core it can help post-rehab patients work on the misalignment that caused an injury in the first place. Lumbar and core stability exercises are moving through the rehab world at a high pace because of it’s many benefits.