About Pilates
Pilates will work on your mobility, flexibility and strength whilst incorporating balance, coordination and breathing using the core muscles.
In matwork classes, exercises are done mainly lying or sitting on the floor and sometimes small equipment is used.
Pilates, in it’s original form, is a complex form of exercise consisting of 34 movements and exercises adapted and designed for every muscle group in the body.
It is a slow relaxing way to exercise carried out in a calm, safe environment enabling you to increase your self awareness, learn about breathing with movement, body mechanics, balance, co-ordination, positioning of the body and spatial awareness; whilst lengthening, toning and improving your overall strength, flexibility and fitness.
Special focus and attention is placed on improving your posture by strengthening both your core and postural muscles to try and gain a more balanced body and reducing the risk of future injury.
History of Pilates
Pilates was created in the early 1900’s by Joseph Pilates. He was such a weak, sickly child that it led him, in his teens, to put together a set of movements and exercises to build his strength and fitness. He became one of the strongest and fittest people in his time.
Pilates has been used mainly by dancers since but has more recently become an increasingly popular way to exercise for people in general (Fitness Pilates). Physiotherapists also prescribe Pilates exercises for people with all kinds of back injuries and postural problems (Rehabilitation Pilates).
What are the benefits of Pilates?
There are a wide range of benefits that come from Pilates, some of these include:
- Increasing strength,
- Improving posture
- Increasing mind/body awareness
- Increasing flexibility, Improving muscle tone and circulation
- Improving balance, coordination and control
- Relieving stiffness and tension,
Improving bone density - Excellent for relaxation
- Suitable for all ages and all fitness levels