History
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s and later used by dancers and gymnasts to maintain fitness and regain fitness after injury. Latterly it moved out of that exclusive world into wider public use.
Why does it work?
The first principles of Pilates: Relaxation, Breathing & Concentration help you become more aware of your body when you move. This awareness will help activate the muscle and fascia system that stabilises the body allowing it to use only the muscles designed for a particular movement. These often get mixed up with the roles reversed which can lead to longer term problems.
The further principles of Alignment, Centering & Co-ordination help to provide dynamic stability. It is this rebalancing of the stability and mobility functions of the body that is key to the benefits of Pilates. It is a re-patterning process to get the body functioning as it was designed, breaking habitual patterns we develop through 21C living.
Tight and over dominant muscles will be stretched whilst the weaker muscles strengthened at the same time redressing your kinesthetic awareness.
Because it works in this way it is suitable for all populations, young, old, active, sedentary, fit, unfit; there is something that everyone can benefit from with Pilates.
It is a progressive system there is always something to challenge you, whether you want more of a fitness work out or are searching for that extra range of flexibility. The final principles of Flowing Movement & Stamina come into play.
It works every part of the body and because it focuses on correct alignment from the foot, working up through all the joints to the hips, spine, shoulders, neck, it helps to regain lost posture.
As on overall integrated body conditioning system Joseph Pilates was way ahead of his time and we are only now understanding why it works and how good it is. I am constantly looking at exercises and always getting a further insight into what is being addressed biomechanically throughout the whole body.
See What for details