Benefits of Pilates method

What are the benefits of Pilates?
The desire for flat abs or long, lean muscles often draws people to Pilates, but there are many additional benefits to Pilates. It is a mind-body exercise that will help you become more aware of how your body moves and will refresh you physically and mentally to relieve stress. Pilates will also improve your posture. As a total body workout, Pilates can correct over-trained muscles and prevent injury while helping you develop improved core strength and increased range of motion and flexibility.

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Who started Pilates?
Pilates (“puh-LAH-tees”), was started by Joseph Pilates who was born in Germany in the year 1880. As a child, he suffered from Asthma, Rickets (underdevelopment in cartilage and new bone due to a vitamin D deficiency) and rheumatic fever. These ailments prompted  him to constantly search for ways to improve his physique and endurance. Pilates studied anatomy, Eastern and Western forms of exercise including Yoga, wrestling and acrobatics.  Exercise became a way of life and a means of managing his health.
In 1926, Joseph Pilates made the voyage to New York City.  Along his way he met his wife Clara, a Nurse, and they opened the first Pilates studio next to a ballet school.  Joseph and Clara built a business with a strong reputation of relieving pain and increasing flexibility and strength to dancers and athletes alike.
What is Pilates?
Pilates, (originally called “Contrology”), is defined as “the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”.
Pilates is a form of exercises developed to stretch, strengthen, tone and align the body, while helping to relieve excess pressure and stress on the joints.  It is helpful if you think of Pilates as a new language for your body to learn to help you move in a more efficient way.  Once you have grasp the connection of the mind and body, the body will eliminate improper form and technique through improved skill and repetition.  Your body will also welcome and utilize the increased flow of oxygen for muscular nourishment and mental clarity.
Will it help me lose weight?
Please read the following carefully…several times.
The key to losing weight is three fold.
You must incorporate nutrition, cardiovascular activity and strength training…consistently.
Pilates falls under the “strength training” category and will help firm up your muscles.
Firm muscles= Loss of inches.
Loss of inches = Smaller clothing size.
If your goal is weight loss, Pilates is a wonderful addition to your overall health program…but it will not be your end- all -be- all. We will constantly be encouraging you to review and reflect on the habits that brought you to a place where you are no longer happy with your appearance and what active steps you are taking to make positive changes to reach your new body goals.
How many times a week should I do Pilates?
Joseph said , ”within 10 sessions you will feel the difference in your body, with in 20 sessions you will see the difference in your body, within 30 sessions everybody else will see the difference.” If you are a beginner, the ideal pace would be to do Pilates two -three times a week to start. Again, consistency is vital to your success.
Can I get results by only doing Pilates once a week?
Yes, absolutely! Of course we will want to know what you were doing the rest of the week to contribute to your overall fitness goal to see if once a week was truly in your best interest. Once a week will provide you with a foundation of Pilates and will leave your mind and body feeling re-energized. Once a week is good for people who are interested in a hard core day of abs or having a super stretch once a week. Once a week will by no means recondition your body, but, it will improve your flexibility and your coordination over time.
Can I continue or start Pilates Pre/Post Pregnancy?
Yes…as long as prior to continuing or initiating any exercise program you have gained clearance from your medical practitioner.  This is a very important time to build strength and awareness in your body.  We work on pelvic floor musculature, awareness of developing postures due to your ever-changing body, body image and overall body strengthening to prepare you for carrying around your precious new baby.