About Pilates
Pilates, originally conceived of in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, is currently one of the hottest fitness trends around, and its proven effectiveness means that it's not going to die out anytime soon.
Mr. Pilates began developing the series of exercises that bear his name in an internment camp in England during World War I. He used his exercises to help rehabilitate the camp's sick and injured occupants. Mr. Pilates continued teaching his method after the war ended, and as time progressed, his exercises caught on with dancers, and more recently, the general public.
The focus of these exercises is on strengthening and stretching the body's core muscles (abdominal, lower back, and pelvic muscles) in order to bring the body back to its natural alignment. In doing so, participants learn how to use their bodies most correctly and efficiently which makes them much less susceptible to many kinds of injuries, aches, and pains. Among the most frequently cited benefits of practicing Pilates are improved posture, better balance, greater flexibility and a more toned physique. Pilates can also help alleviate lower back and joint pain, reduce stress, and increase energy levels.
During his lifetime, Mr. Pilates created many different exercises, many of them utilizing special machines. However, his original set of mat-based exercises remains highly effective and has the added advantage of requiring little space for practice, and no large, expensive equipment. In addition, the exercises can be modified to make them easier, or pieces of small equipment can be added to make them more challenging. In this way, people of all body types and fitness levels will see results by practicing mat Pilates.
I am certified by STOTT PILATES®, a Toronto-based company that has updated many of Mr. Pilates' original exercises so that they are in keeping with today's knowledge of the human body.
If you are interested in learning more about Pilates, I recommend the following websites: STOTT PILATES® and the Pilates Method Alliance.
