mK Personal Training Academy

Pilates

What is Pilates

During the First World War; German-born Joseph H.Pilates (1880-1967) devised a series of exercises that could overcome injuries and postural problems.
Before that he had become an accomplished boxer, gymnast and circus performer and had personally triumphed over a succession of physical ailments, including asthma and rheumatic fever, by devoting himself to the practice of athletics.

Interned in English camps, he began to train other prisoners of war in this mat work exercise. He also devised makeshift exercise aids by attaching bedsprings in various positions so patients recovering from injuries could exercise safely. Modern versions of these pieces of equipment are found in Pilates studios today.

In the late 1920's Joseph Pilates immigrated to New York, bringing his unusual views on physical exercise and fitness with him. Ballet dancers were drawn to his work investigating the benefits and began to swear by it.

Who is it for and what are the benefits?

The Pilates method is a complete and thorough programme of mental and physical conditioning (stress) with an expanding orbit of potential exercises. Many of the small therapeutic movements designed to help people recovering from injuries, can be intensified to challenge seasonal athletes.

This is what makes the Pilates method so attractive to the general public, as well as dancers and athletes; it is very versatile work that speaks to all ages and all level of fitness. In the past the benefits which include correcting imbalances, realigning the body and building core strength and posture improvement from within, were primarily shared by dancers and movie stars. But lately, the hostile, preventive-orientative method has been fully embraced by sciatica-plagued carpenters, business women and their physiotherapist, and elite athletes and their sport medicine doctors. As a result the average Pilates teacher sees a vast range of students, many of whom will not set foot in a gym, yet are committed to weekly or biweekly group Pilates classes to safely nourish the backs, strengthen the abdominals and restore elasticity and toning to their bodies.

The Basic Principles on which Pilates are built include:

Concentration: Engage your mind on what your body is doing
Control: Fostering your mind/body coordination guarantees that movements will not be sloppy or hazard
Centring: Working from a strong core
Breathing: Breathing into the Rib Cage
Postural Alignment: being aware of your body parts in space
Flow: moving slowly and gracefully
Precision: moving with exact, economic and accurate body-strokes
Stamina: introducing the element of intensity to build endurance when you are ready
Relaxation: learning to release the body and not to overwork it

How long will I have to work out before I see results?

The average active person, doing 2-3 classes per week should see some small results within 10-12 classes, this will vary depending on each individual and things such as the number of classes a person takes each week, whether they are private or group classes or whether they participate in other physical activities you also need to take into account any injuries that may be present.

I have a bad back; will I be able to do Pilates?

Although you should always consult your doctor before starting any fitness routine, a Pilates workout is gentle and controlled with no sudden jarring actions. It is therefore more important that you work with a qualified instructor to ensure that you are doing the movements correctly. An experienced instructor will be able to modify the exercises to accommodate your limitations, continually challenging you within your range and monitor your improvements.

for more information visit www.mkpilatestraining.co.uk

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.

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Pilates