What is Pilates?

We have had many recent blogs about Pilates, but we have not discussed is 'What is Pilates?' In this blog I will discuss what Pilates is and how it got started.

Pilates has garnered many misconceptions and tropes over the 100+ years it has

been in America. It is portrayed in the media as a place for rich and famous people to

exercise. It is also commonly confused with yoga. There are some similarities between

yoga and Pilates, for example, both are largely focused on breathing techniques.

However, Pilates is its own unique practice that is for everyone and includes specialized

machines.

While imprisoned in England during World War 1, a man named Joseph Pilates

created a series of exercises that helped him, and other inmates stay in shape and

avoid dying from the Spanish Flu epidemic. In the 1920s, Pilates immigrated to New

York City. This is where he refined his methods and created equipment that enhanced

his exercises, which he named Contrology. Joseph Pilates opened his studio and

worked primarily with the New York City Ballet, who were looking for injury recovery and

prevention for their dancers. Joseph Pilates had nine principles to encompass the goals

associated with Contrology. These principles are breathing, concentration, control,

centering, precision, balanced muscle, rhythm/flow, whole body movement, and

relaxation. Joseph Pilates said, “The Pilates method teaches you to be in control of your

body and not at its mercy.” Pilates can be done on a mat using your bodyweight, gravity,

and the occasional ring, ball, or foam roller. It can also be performed on machines or

apparatus. Many people are drawn to the Pilates machines called reformers, which use

a series of weighted springs to enhance movements. Springs tense, release, and tense

again creating a need for more control and focus while also creating long and lean

muscle. The different weighted springs also make it easy to modify depending on the

needs of the individual.

Pilates is for anyone, at any age, at any physical ability. As a Pilates studio, we strive

for a welcoming environment for everyone to improve mentally and physically. Pilates

can develop a myriad of things such as, posture, alignment, proprioception, balance,

coordination, core strength, mind- body centering, muscular imbalances, and flexibility.

Our goals for our clients are to improve mind-body awareness and overall wellness. We

help them achieve these goals by teaching mindfulness of habitual movements that

could cause muscular imbalances or injury. We also create programs for induvial needs

to manage injury and physical dysfunction.

Glenn Morgan, MS, MFA

Owner, Pivot Pilates

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