Pilates and You
The Pilates Method (or just Pilates) is a physical fitness system that was developed early last century by Joseph Pilates. He was writing books from the get to and Joesehph wrote at least two books about Pilates: Return to Life through Contrology and Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education.
Pilates called his method Contrology, which refers to the way the method encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles. That?s an amazing idea even now, can you wrap you arms around that? Pilates is an exercise program that focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and strengthen the deep torso muscles, which are important to help alleviate and prevent back pain.
Joseph Pilates in his studio in NYC with his wife Clara
Born in 1880 in Germany, Joseph Pilates, a German national of Greek descent, became a living example of a enthusiast about fitness (skier, gymnast, diver, martial arts student) and developed his body into outstanding and peek condition. In his teens, he was used as a model for fitness charts.
Instead of performing many repetitions of each exercise, Pilates preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring control and form. He designed more than 500 specific exercises. The most frequent form, called “matwork,” involves a series of calisthenic motions performed without weight or apparatus on a padded mat. He believed that mental health and physical health were essential to one another. Pilates created what is claimed to be a method of total body conditioning that emphasizes proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement (The Pilates Principles) that results in increased flexibility, strength, muscle tone, body awareness, energy, and improved mental concentration. Pilates also designed five major pieces of unique exercise equipment that he claimed should be used for best results. Although the two components are often taught separately now, the method was always meant to combine both matwork and equipment exercises. In all forms, the “powerhouse” (abdomen, lower back, and buttocks) is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of the body to move freely.
Pilates practitioners use their own bodies as weights in training to build strength and flexibility. This is targeted without a focus on high-powered cardiovascular exercise. Today, Pilates is used in the rehabilitation process by many physical therapists. Pilates is an old approach to movement re-education that is becoming popular in the field of fitness and rehabilitation. The Pilates environment can be used as an assistive environment that optimizes the acquisition of movement with a reduction of destructive forces and can be used to progress individuals through more challenging movements that represent their day-to-day activities. Pilates’ focus on building core muscles and postural awareness are especially well indicated for the alleviation and prevention of back pain. Research and theories in motor learning, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal physiology help support the phenomena experienced by many Pilates-based practitioners.
Pilates has been used to train dancers and many professional athletes in flexibility and physical strength. Joseph Pilates died in 1967, with Clara running the studio for another 11 years. In recent years it has become a popular fitness modality, with many stars attributing their lithe bodies and increased muscle tone to Pilates.
During the 1990’s an attempt to trademark the name Pilates was initiated by a man named Sean Gallagher on behalf of Pilates Studio, Inc. This trademark was challenged in Federal court by the Pilates equipment company Balanced Body along with a Pilates teacher named Deborah Lessen. In October of 2000 Federal Judge Miriam Cederbaum declared that Pilates was a generic term for a form of exercise, and further it was determined that a form of exercise may not be legaly trademarked in the United States. Later the Pilates Method Alliance was then created as a not-for-profit professional association to unite the community and to establish professional standards.
In more recent years Pilates has been the subject of peer review research articles and is now gaining acceptance amongst the medical profession, even for conditions previously contra-indicated such as pregnancy. Adi Balogh wrote a substantial review article in the Journal of the Royal College of Midwives.
Pilates was designed to be a complete physical fitness discipline. Perhaps, for a beginner, it can seem to not supply enough cardiovascular training. However, once mastered, Pilates trains, strengthens, tones and realigns the entire body.
Pilates largely avoids high impact, high power output, and heavy muscular and skeletal loading. The emphasis is not simply building muscle mass. Its focus is unique in its emphasis on lengthening and alignment, and it can successfully train muscles which bodybuilding and conventional gym aerobics can just as easily avoid. That’s how it prevents injury.
Some doctors have suggested that medical advice be sought by those who have, or who have risk factors for, medical conditions such as osteogenesis imperfecta, Osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and Paget’s disease, before choosing Pilates over other strength exercises. However, there are Pilates practitioners who specialise in medical and clinical rehab. One Pilates certification method which utilises this approach is the Polestar method, but there are other methods and schools just as safe and effective. If you have a condition which needs medical attention it is best to work in consultation with an Orthopedic doctor or Physical Therapist in conjunction with the Pilates method in addition to finding an experienced Pilates practitioner.
Instructor Certification
Pilates instructor certification began with Joseph himself, and then moved on to a group of first generation teachers (those trained by Mr. Pilates) which include, Mary Bowen, Kathleen Standford Grant, Romana Kryzanowska, Ron Fletcher, Lolia San Miguel, Bruce King, Eve Gentry, Nadja Corey, Jay Grimes and Bob Seed et.
Today, instructors of the Pilates method are not licensed by governmental agencies. While there are no governmental standards for Pilates education, there are various teacher training centers throughout the world. Organizations other then the government, such as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), do provide accredidation for various professions not licensed by government agencies. The only Pilates organziation which has initiated this accredidation process is the Pilates Method Alliance(PMA)?. The PMA?, founded in 2001, by Kevin A. Bowen and Colleen Glenn is an international not-for-profit association for Pilates professionals. Please see professional certification for more information on what constitutes a professional certification.
Currently, some Pilates teacher training schools claim to have advanced beyond Joseph Pilates original teachings. One way is by introducing current medical research and clinical knowledge into the Pilates system. For instance, Joseph Pilates believed the spine was supposed to be completely straight, and we now know that the curves of the spine are essential for both physical and neurological reasons. Other teachers have introduced aspects of other sports training. Today, a Pilates teacher can be influenced by aspects of dance, Tai-chi, Yoga, the Alexander technique, and Feldenkrais training.
Harriet Spinzer
Pilates is a wonderful system of exercise and strength training developed by Joseph Pilates. In recent years, it has become one of the most popular exercise systems in the world. Pilates studios have opened in cities all over America and beyond. Pilates training consists of over 500 individual exercises, all designed to help the individual develop core strength, flexibility, and balance.
There is also a system of philosophy that is integral to Pilates practice, known as mind/body fitness. It is very similar to Yoga or Tai Chi, in that it promotes a system of overall wellness based upon developing health from the inside-out. The purpose is to learn how to develop one’s mental ability in order to effectively control movement, and therefore achieve balance in body and mind.
The Pilates system teaches that effective exercise is based upon quality and not quantity. Each of the exercises is designed to focus on a core set of muscles. Most of the movements are performed slowly and with focused intent. Students are taught to view their bodies as integrated systems comprised of interrelated parts. In the practice of Pilates, focus is placed on coordinating muscles and improving joint flexibility. Pilates teaches the individual to work with their body, as opposed to against it.
Pilates exercise can benefit most anyone. Exercise can be adapted to accommodate people, regardless of their current physical state. Most students begin with an introductory mat work course. This course can be done in private, semi-private, or group classes. As the student progresses, exercises become more focused and advanced. There are also a number of equipment classes available for advanced students. These classes teach the proper use of equipment such as the Reformer or the Cadillac.
If you are looking for an exercise program that will help you build core strength, flexibility, and balance, then look no further than Pilates. People of all ages and physical conditions can benefit from these exercises. Pilates has helped countless people achieve balance in their lives. It comes highly recommended by physical therapists, athletic trainers, and fitness experts as a highly effective training and rehabilitation method. The future of your health is now.
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