3.17.2011

What is Pilates?

...the CORE Focus...
-this is a system of quality, precise body conditioning specifically designed to strengthen, lengthen, improve flexibility and posture, tone and teach attentiveness to YOUR OWN biomechanics. Most of us are completely out of touch with our body- unless we're in pain! Pilates is Intentional Self-Care. For Life.
WHO? Pilates is for everyone of all ages and abilities. Pilates meets you where you are physically. Young and healthy, old and stiff; desk-sitter to athlete, couch potato to weekend warrior.
With time and patience, Pilates teaches you to employ Your body, mind and breath to move and grow into a taller, stronger, happier and more confident person. You'll learn the tools to take into every aspect of life; work, play, sports and rest.
Joe's Story: Joseph Pilates was born in Germany to Greek parents in 1880. He was sickly and weak, the victim of rheumatic fever, rickets and asthma. Determined to overcome, he began as a child to explore forms of excercise and body conditioning. At 32, he moved to England and during WWI, was interned as an enemy alien in a camp for a year. There, he began to implement his ideas into an exercise regimen 'using' fellow inmates; combining physical fitness with breath work and concentration to build CORE strength and flexibility. Later, working as a hospital orderly, he began working with wounded and disabled veterans left atrophying in hospital beds. He devised exercises using hospital beds, their springs, parts and even his own body weight to move and exercise them - and with great success! Current Studio equipment and apparatus still resemble his early inventions. In 1923, he emigrated to the US where he began the very first Pilates Studio in NYC. Gaining notoriety, he became trainer to many famous ballet dancers and even boxers. He continued inventing equipment and eventually, training a chosen few to carry on his work. Today there are thousands of Pilates Studios worldwide. 'Elders' work to preserve authentic Pilates.

No comments:

Post a Comment