Pilates- What, Who and Why?
What is Pilates?
Pilates or the Pilates Method originated in the 1920s and sense has been the forefront for rehabilitation for athletes, dancers and recently the general public to alleviate pain, optimize quality of life, build strength while simultaneously improving posture, muscular imbalances and flexibility.
Pilates focuses on improving the body and mind by increasing your concentration through conscious breathing, controlled movement patterns and using the core as the focal point of strength for the body.
Elements of Pilates:
- Lateral Breathing: The focus aims to expand your rib cage east to west when breathing to improve blood circulation and oxygen to the muscles
- Centre: The focus of all Pilates based movements start from your core — the powerhouse.
- Precision: To perform multiple movements with low repetitions but with mindfulness and complete muscle control to improve mind-body connectivity.
- Alignment: To help alleviate muscular imbalances, Pilates focuses on being aware of the position of our bodies and building strength to optimize postural alignment
Who should participate in Pilates?
Pilates is for EVERYONE
Classes are slow paced and revolved around completing multiple movements for short periods of time. The exercises are catered to all fitness levels from first timers to elite athletes.
The classes are run in a manner that will not leave your breathless or dripping in sweat, the focus is control and strength building to help alleviate pain.
In the start the exercises are done on a mat with your body as resistance, which can be modified depending on your own personal ability. As confidence, strength, and an understanding of our bodies movements progresses light weight equipment is gradually introduced.
Why is this for me?
If your recovering from an injury, suffer from chronic pain, or are looking for a new enjoyable exercise class to participate in, Pilates offers all of the above.
Low back pain is one of the most common injuries world wide and Pilates has been scientifically proven to reduce pain by re training and strengthening the spinal and abdominal muscles.
Whatever your goals may be, we can help you reach them.
Our Clinical Pilates classes are run by a Physiotherapist. Call today to get started.