Color Switcher

×

Blog

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Origins & Benefits of Pilates

What is Pilates?

Many of you will have heard the word ‘Pilates’ and have a vague idea of what it means- it is often used synonymously with ‘Yoga’ and many believe the two to be interlinked or the same thing. Most people are aware it is a type of exercise, and certainly social media has recently portrayed it as something for young, slim, toned bodies with the perfect gym gear or backdrop to their many videos… but what REALLY is Pilates and who can benefit?

Joseph Pilates… where it all began.

Joseph Pilates.

Joseph Humbertus Pilates was born in Germany in 1883, moving to England in 1912. He suffered quite a few childhood illnesses and so was very aware from a young age about the effect this could have on physical and mental wellbeing. During WW1 Joseph worked in a hospital with injured soldiers and he devised exercise plans for patients, encouraging them all to get moving to help their recovery, with mixed reaction. It became evident very quickly that those patients doing Joe's exercises were recovering much quicker than those who weren’t, so Joe was given permission by the hospital Dr’s to progress these exercises. This was the start of his passion for exercise as a method of healing. After a short spell back in Germany after the war, Joe moved to New York, where he opened his first ‘Pilates’ studio. His exercise regime was embraced by the dance world and he worked closely with the New York ballet school. After Joe died in 1967, his wife and many former students continued the legacy of ‘Pilates’ and studios were opened in Hollywood, LA and the name and method has lived on.

20Dec
Joseph Pilates.

What is Pilates?

The Pilates method is very much a ‘mind-body’ technique, with a heavy focus on movement starting from a central core of stability. Each exercise is based on this central theory, with progressions of each exercise, incorporating breath control, precision, and continual flowing movements. Exercises can be progressed and varied based on individual needs, and can help to correct abnormal movement patterns that may be the cause of many injuries. Joseph Pilates believed that injuries were caused by weaknesses or malalignments that led to a person overcompensating in another area in order to allow functional movements—this theory is now termed the ‘muscle imbalance’ theory and widely used in physiotherapy today. There is a huge emphasis on positive movement which is free of pain.

The Exercises - Matwork Pilates

The matwork repertoire of exercises consists of 34 exercises that each has 4-5 different levels that progressively become more challenging to the central core muscles. They are broken down into categories and consist of strength, mobility and stretching exercises completed on a mat. The exercises aim to increase postural and body awareness, along with flexibility, strength and endurance. The main area of focus is the lumbo-pelvic area, with progression to the upper and lower body. They provide a powerful technique that is used as a functional, dynamic treatment tool. The matwork exercises can equally be used as a tool in preventative medicine- with an increasing number of research articles showing the benefits of Pilates in reducing injuries both in and out of the sports setting.

Pilates - The Principles

Joseph Pilates.

The following 8 principles underpin all of the Pilates exercises and method:

  • Breathing: In Pilates, the breath is essential- with exhalation during movements of the greatest effort, as the diaphragm along with transversus abdominis (one of the primary stabilising muscles of the lumbo-pelvic region) are activated as the abdominal pressure changes.
  • Concentration: Pilates exercises require the mind to focus on control of movement, so it is a workout for the mind and body!
  • Control: Control with all exercises is essential to ensure the correct movement patterns and alignment.
  • Centering: The ‘centre’ or ‘core’ is the powerhouse with all Pilates exercises. This area is progressively challenged through the stages of each exercise to improve strength in this area.
  • Precision: Precision of each movement comes with greater body awareness and control. This is more of a long-term goal with Pilates.
  • Flow: Exercises in a Pilates class are taught in a smooth continual flowing sequence.
  • Integrated Isolation: Exercises are designed to isolate muscle groups in order to allow for specific strengthening of weak areas. Progression is then made to enable these isolated movements to be integrated into functional everyday and useful movements, making us fit for what life throws our way!
  • Routine: Repetition of familiar exercises and movement patterns deepens our body’s awareness and quality of movement. Pilates is not a quick fix, but a philosophy for life and its ever-changing demands that can be integrated into regular practice for the best results.

Conclusion

Pilates is a method of exercise that has been developed over many years, with a real focus on strength as a fundamental aspect of our overall wellbeing. It is a positive movement experience, so lends itself towards those who have been injured, or as an increasingly commonly accepted method of injury prevention and optimising sports performance at all levels.