What is Pilates?

Pilates is a focused form of exercise, designed to strengthen the body, increase flexibility and enhance wellbeing.

Movements are mainly slow and controlled. The focus is on quality and precision in order to tone and strengthen abdominal muscles, the muscles in your back, upper body (arms, chest and shoulders) and your lower body (legs, hips and thighs).

Pilates is suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness.

With regular practice you can strengthen your core, improve your posture, balance and flexibility. As your levels of fitness and health improve, so will your confidence and sense of wellbeing.

HISTORY OF PILATES

This form of exercise originated from Joseph Pilates. Born in 1880 in Germany, Joseph was a frail and weak child. Determined to make himself physically stronger, he took up a range of activities, including martial arts, gymnastics, dance and weight training. He went on to teach fitness professionally in his adult life.

During the First World War Joseph was interned in England; he used this time to develop his philosophy and approach to fitness.  He established a methodology known as ‘contrology’, a form of body conditioning which aimed to coordinate the mind, body and spirit through the correct use of muscles and breathing. Only after his death did it become known as the Pilates Method. The exercises that we use today have mainly been adapted from his original work.

Almost a century later, Pilates is recognised as a holistic approach to health and fitness, and practised worldwide by people of all ages and all levels of physical fitness.

HOW PILATES CAN HELP YOU

Developing core strength is fundamental to Pilates. Exercises are designed to strengthen the spine and abdominals, to lengthen the spine and improve posture. The focus is also on enhancing breathing to help to  achieve precision and quality of movement.

Regular practice can produce a range of beneficial results:

• A stronger back, flatter stomach, toned arms, legs and bottom
• Making you feel better: greater flexibility, improved balance, feeling more energetic, more relaxed, with a sense of wellbeing
• Aiding rehabilitation from injury and also improving overall fitness to prevent recurrence of injury
• Enhancing fitness to help with sport