What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of exercise named for its creator, Joseph Pilates, in the 1920’s. It focuses on movement patterns that stress balance, flexibility, strength, and proper posture. It can be done on a machine using ropes and pulleys, called a reformer, or by using your own body weight with a mat on the floor. The practice of Pilates is centered around increasing core strength, which includes your abdominals, glutes, and hips. The core is called your POWERHOUSE because it is the center of your body and is responsible for every physical activity you do. Every exercise in Pilates requires the use of your core and, therefore, makes you stronger.
Should I do Pilates?
Yes! Pilates is great for “every” body. Over time, it has become clear that the average person can benefit from this form of exercise. As human beings, we are standing, sitting, and walking for long periods of time, and that can take a toll on our bodies. These repetitive movements can cause muscular imbalances in our bodies over time. Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility, and balance in our core as well as peripheral muscles to keep us strong and able to perform our everyday activities.
Isn’t Pilates like yoga?
No. Pilates is not like yoga. Yoga is a mind/body/spiritual practice to promote overall well-being, balance and inner peace. Pilates is a strength-based workout to improve your strength and ability to perform everyday physical activities.
Will I lose weight with Pilates?
Pilates is not a fast-paced workout but rather a slow, intentional workout to isolate your muscles and build strength for your core muscles all the way to your pelvic floor. Pilates can be used to tone your muscles in conjunction with weight loss activities. There is an ab series in Pilates that can be used to increase Endurance.
Will Pilates change my body?
Yes! If performed regularly, you will feel stronger and see increased muscle tone. It is recommended to do Pilates at least twice a week to see results.
Will Pilates make me taller?
Pilates can improve your posture by engaging the scapular stabilizers and maintaining width across your shoulder girdle during exercises. Some exercises in my Pilates Workout Cards involve lengthening the thoracic spine, such as the Swan and Swimming exercises. Over time, better posture becomes a new normal for you.
How do you get started with Pilates?
Pilates only requires you and a mat. As a Certified Stott Pilates instructor, I have created a set of 56 workout cards that teach the movements and breathing patterns for the 40 most popular mat-based exercises, including the Hundred and the Teaser. Each exercise builds on the last one, so you can continue to build up to the next exercise after performing the last one. Detailed instructions, photos, and even videos are available for each exercise.
