Yoga

"I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier."

Joseph H. Pilates is the founder of the Pilates exercise method. He was a child born frail and living with asthma in addition to other childhood conditions. To grow stronger he took up several different sports and became an accomplished athlete. In Great Britain during World War I he designed exercise methods and equipment for the immobilized patients and soldiers then which he based on various exercise methods from around the world. Included in his inspirations are the mind-body formats of yoga and Chinese martial arts. He was then an accomplished pugilist, gymnast, skier and diver when he traveled to the UK rehabilitate bedridden patients with his efforts in Pilates. Later, they were so successful that when the 1918 flu epidemic came, not one of his followers died! He returned to Germany after the war. Joseph Pilates believed that our physical and mental healths are so intertwined that’s why his exercise program includes concentration, precision, breathing, control and flowing movements. Up to now, it is still popular and the great thing about it is that just about everyone can do it, even couch potatoes.

Pilates is pronounced as “puh-lah-teez” and uses controlled movements in the form of mat exercises to tone and strengthen the body. It's been the exercise of choice for dancers, gymnasts, Hollywood actors, and more. It is said to be one of the fastest growing forms of exercise in the world and in the U.S. alone, its participants have grown in number from 1.7 million in 2000 to 10.5 million in 2004. This means that there is more than 500% growth in just four years!

The six Pilates principles that are essential ingredients in a high quality Pilates workout are: Centering, Control, Flow, Breath, Precision, and Concentration. The method has always emphasized quality over quantity so Pilates exercises do not include a lot of repetitions for each move. It is more important that you do each exercise fully, with precision and this will yield significant results in a shorter time. The benefits of Pilates includes a refreshing mind-body workout by emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and complete concentration on smooth, flowing movement where you become acutely aware your body. You will also be able to build strength without "bulking up" and develop a strong core of flat abdominals and a strong back. Joseph Pilates believe in a strong "core" or center of the body where it consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Further, Pilates create an evenly conditioned body and prevent sports injuries so that no muscle group is over trained or under trained. You will also learn efficient patterns of motion and do so with the attitude of being confident and safe.

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