About Pilates
Joseph Pilates
…was not a dancer but many of his clients were. He was born in 1883 in December (fellow Sagittarius!) and emigrated to NYC from Germany in the mid 1920’s. He opened a studio on 8th Avenue in NYC and called his training method “Contrology”. Nowadays, what is considered “Pilates” has changed considerably for better and worse. On one hand, the Method was refined and advanced by many of his first generation teachers who are highly regarded. On the other hand, many Pilates “brands” and franchises serve up Pilates “light” in an effort to cast a wide net and ultimately feed their corporate bottom line. These entities do little justice to the true power of the Pilates Method.
Contrology
…is what Joseph Pilates called his method of physical fitness training. It emphasizes breath, mindful focus, postural alignment, and strengthening the deep muscles of the torso and abdominals to support an erect spine. A functionally fit and strong body is more than a ripped “6-pack”. It is the strong, intelligent and coordinated use of the whole body. Unlearning poor movement and thought patterns that create chronic pain, and replacing them with positively functional ones, takes time. But the journey is fun and the benefits are priceless.
Equipment
The Reformer is the main piece of Pilates equipment and accommodates scores of exercises. The Pilates Method utilizes springs for resistance as well as support and allows the body to move in new ways and learn new techniques. Heavy springs require more from outer muscles while light springs require more from intrinsic muscles and core abdominals. Working with springs is considered weight bearing and as such helps to build the strength of the bones. Other pieces of Pilates equipment include the Chair, the Ladder Barrel or Half Barrel, and the Cadillac or Tower. Various props are also used such as the Box and the Magic Circle.
Mat Work
Pilates Mat Work is also very effective but in many ways more challenging because there is no equipment to help support and educate. There are also the issues of one’s strength to weight ratio and restrictions due to tightness. For this reason, I modify the exercises as needed so that the body learns how to work smarter and not just harder. This way, the strength necessary to build to increasing levels of challenge can be established. No part of the body should ever feel strain when doing Pilates! There are always effective ways to modify so that the body learns and strengthens and will eventually move past the hurdle.