WHAT IS PILATES?

Originally called “Contrology”, the Pilates method was developed by Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) as a system of exercises that focus on finding symmetry and good postural alignment in the body, as well as increasing your overall strength, body awareness, flexibility, mobility, and functionality. It is known for being a great system to help increase core strength, but it is truly a total body workout.

The exercises are often done in a specific order, flowing into one another. A lot of the movements look simple, but there is a strong emphasis on technique and precision and it’s almost always harder than it looks! (Pilates is sneaky!) Besides doing exercises on the mat, the Pilates system also makes use of specialized equipment or apparatus (such as springs, reformers, barrels, and chairs) that can be used to make exercises more achievable or more challenging, depending on what you need.

In a typical Pilates class, you’ll be working all the different muscle groups in your body and you will be moving your spine in all directions so you can have a full, balanced workout. If you’re doing a private session, your teacher will probably start with matwork or the reformer, and then choose additional exercises and pieces of equipment specifically suited to your body’s needs and your personal goals.

Because of its innovative approach and attention to detail, Pilates is safe and appropriate for newcomers or those with injured or sensitive bodies as well as for experienced athletes using it for cross training.

The Pilates method of exercise works most effectively when you're able to use the whole system and get individualized programming and feedback, so to see the best results for your hard work, we recommend doing a combination of group matwork classes and occasional private sessions (ideally utilizing Pilates equipment and apparatus). Joe Pilates is famously quoted as saying, "In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you'll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body." That ambitious promise is based on somebody doing a personalized Pilates session multiple times a week and we can say from personal experience and from the experience of our clients that it's pretty accurate!

You should leave every Pilates session feeling taller and stronger through your entire body, and you should be feeling ready for anything that comes your way!