Pilates

Pilates

Pilates is a type of exercise of the mind and body developed in the early 20th century by the German gymnast Joseph Pilates, after whom it is named. Pilates himself had called his method “controlology”.

Pilates was developed in the wake of the physical culture of the late 19th century with the aim of exercising to restore poor health. Studies have shown that regular sessions improve balance and can aid muscle preparation. Pilates could be described as a mind and body exercise that requires stability, strength, and flexibility of the center as well as attention to muscle control, posture, and breathing.

If done consistently, it improves flexibility, enhances strength, and develops control and endurance throughout the body. It emphasizes alignment, breathing, developing a strong center, and improving coordination and balance. The center, made up of the muscles of the abdomen, waist and hips, is often called “the strength” and is considered to be the key to a person’s stability.

Within a course there is the possibility of modifying the exercises according to the level of difficulty (beginner or advanced) or to serve specific goals or to help specific musculoskeletal issues that the trainees may have. The intensity of the exercises can increase as the body adapts.