Why Pilates? — Physical fitness is the first requisite of hapiness

“The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning is the complete co-ordination of body, mind and spirit”. — Joseph Pilates

We all spend too much time putting stresses & strains on our bodies, in contracted states, hunched over a desk or behind a wheel.

The more you use your body correctly during exercise, the more you will use it correctly in everything else you do. Your posture improves and the headaches, tight, contracted muscles, backache and tension that arise from poor posture all fade away.

Many conventional fitness programs fail to work the body and mind as a whole, either over-working or over-stretching the body, causing injuries. Pilates is a unique form of exercise and mobility which is a vital ingredient to spinal health, mainly consisting of core stability and control, full body strengthening, while focusing on proper alignment /quality of movement.

Pilates is technically challenging and requires patience and perseverance

Mat based Pilates is a gentle, low-impact, yet serious strength workout that research shows can help ease low back pain, improve sleep, and even support mental well-being. You’re using your own bodyweight to strengthen your muscles and stabilize your joints.

Improving postural alignment and flexibility. Pilates has been used for rehabilitation purposes increasingly over the last twenty years. Although there are some differences, in general, Pilates uses a combination of approximately 50 simple, repetitive exercises to create muscular exertion. Can be adapted to provide either gentle strength training for rehabilitation or a strenuous workout vigorous enough to challenge skilled athletes.

You are as young as your spine by Joseph Pilates

Body weight is the main resistance that is used throughout the series of Pilates mat exercises. Changes in body position occur in individual exercises and changes in the lever lengths of limbs can continue to challenge participants as their fitness levels increase. The additional psychological element of Pilates is evident in the additiona

l focus on breathing and concentration during the execution of these exercises.

Contrology as Joseph Pilates called it — focuses on re-balancing the body to attain correct alignment, strength and flexibility as well as proper coordination and adequate breathing capacity.

Your abdominals, back muscles and buttocks serve as the centre of all movement, allowing the rest of your body to move freely. This focus on core stabilization makes you stronger from the inside out.

To work, it requires concentration. For each and every exercise there are questions you need to ask yourself. Is your navel drawn down towards the spine? Is your heel in the correct position? Is your neck long and aligned with your spine? Is your breathing correct?

With a pilates instructor you will learn the best way to execute a movement as well as prevent you from potential injuries during the exercise. Stay safe and enjoy…