Joseph Pilates

 

A Brief History Of Pilates 

Pilates has similar properties to Yoga but is more dynamic and is less spiritual. It was invented by a German born man called Joseph Pilates and based on his knowledge of martial arts, gymnastics, boxing and Yoga he developed a series of exercises that he originally called “Contrology” in a way to control the body as it was exercised. During World War 1 he ended up in the UK and taught fitness and self defence to the police and army in England .  He eventually moved to America and married his wife Clara where he opened up his first Pilates studio in New York teaching his exercise method of Contrology to boxers and ballet dancers from the New York City ballet.  Only after he died in 1967 at the age of 83 was the exercise known as Pilates. 

 

Pilates is designed to keep the body, mainly the spine flexible and strong and is practiced worldwide. There are many many ways Pilates is taught and to lots of different types of people, for all kinds of reasons.

There is mat Pilates using just the body and our own body weight, incorporating the use of small equipment such as the small ball, resistance bands, hand weights. Larger equipment such as magic circle, large balls and foam rollers

Barre - which is ballet inspired and the use of a barre.

The other form of Pilates taught is on various machines, the most common is "The Reformer" a large bed using springs as resistance to exercise different parts of the body. 

 

The Pilates you will be taught is Mat Pilates, if you enjoy your beginners course and want to continue you Pilates journey further you will use the small equipment during class (its so much fun)

 

So I've given you a bit of background of what Pilates is, now let me introduce you to your Principals we will be using and you will hear me say during your sessions. I will tell you as we move what principal we are achieving

• Breathing

• Alignment

• Centering - To engage your core and pelvic floor muscles

• Concentration

• Control

• Co-ordination

• Stability

• Precision

• Stamina

• Relaxation

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I hope you enjoyed a bit of history there and although modern research has moved the industry on quite significantly, we still follow his principals today.

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See you on the mat 

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Love Nina 💜