SMARTBODY
STUDIO
PILATES
In the
1920’s, Joseph H. Pilates created a body
conditioning method to help correct the postural
balance of the body. He called it ‘Contrology’, and
like many Eastern programs, it has in common the
training of the body to develop the mind. The
method, now known simply as the Pilates Method, was
initially a response to his personal observations
on modern lifestyle. He came to believe that the
times fostered bad posture and inefficient
breathing patterns.
His answer to these challenges was the creation of unique life enhancing physical exercises which approach using the whole body at all times. The exercises, through which when performed slowly with minimal repetition and minimal effort , yield coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility. By applying “corrective resistance”, via apparatus of springs and pulleys or via lengthening and stretching the body while moving on a mat, muscular imbalances even out...upright posture vastly improves.
“Look, you see it resists your movements in just the right way so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way you can concentrate on the movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly then your whole body is in it.”
-Joseph H. Pilates on the use of Pilates Equipment
His answer to these challenges was the creation of unique life enhancing physical exercises which approach using the whole body at all times. The exercises, through which when performed slowly with minimal repetition and minimal effort , yield coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility. By applying “corrective resistance”, via apparatus of springs and pulleys or via lengthening and stretching the body while moving on a mat, muscular imbalances even out...upright posture vastly improves.
“Look, you see it resists your movements in just the right way so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way you can concentrate on the movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly then your whole body is in it.”
-Joseph H. Pilates on the use of Pilates Equipment
WHAT PILATES CAN DO FOR YOU
In the
1970’s Physical Therapy techniques took off in the
treatment of lower back pain. Today Pilates has
benefited from PT research regarding what it does
exactly to help relieve back pain, prevent injury,
and support the body’s natural design. This
research has also helped explain why Pilates
successfully improves strength and endurance in all
different types of individuals: Dancers, Athletes,
Performing Artists, fitness enthusiasts, those
seeking freedom in everyday movement, those seeking
freedom from pain, office and sedentary workers
seeking exercise to counter occupational strain.
Pilates is a resistance based movement technique
that activates the deep muscles of the torso,
postural muscles of the spine, which help to
stabalize the trunk before the body moves. This
conditioning improves ones body awareness and joint
position sense. This type of body conditioning also
facilitates better weight distribution from the hip
and sacrum spine down into the structure of the leg
bones. It observably gives more stability to the
torso, and supports the whole structure of the
body. It relieves symptoms like excess muscle
tension due to stress, trauma, accident, injury or,
overuse. It addresses the respiratory system,
nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. For
maintaining strength, bone density, and keeping in
good shape, it is best performed 2-3 times per week
under well certified
instruction.