“Core is the inner part of anything; the most important part; stability is durability, firmness, soundness, strength, and sturdiness.”
~ Webster’s Dictionary
Core strength and stability seem to be terms that are on the lips of every trainer today. Athletes, rehabilitation clients, seniors, the list goes on, are all told they need a strong core? And many times this statement from a medical practitioner is followed by, “Start doing pilates.”
What Is Pilates?
Pilates is one of the most popular forms of core specific training today, offering the additional benefit of correcting postural imbalances which often lead to injury. Pilates is a low-impact method of fitness training designed to balance the strength and length of opposing muscles as well as to optimize muscular sequencing. This practice works towards restoring the natural curves in the spine, which have often altered due to injury, work habits, repetitive sport related movements and genetics.
When training the core it is also advantageous to involve multiple muscle groups in coordinated movement as we do in our daily activities like walking, jogging, playing sports (this is referred to as functional fitness). Pilates is one of the most intelligent forms of functional fitness incorporating core engagement and stability with each exercise.
A Brief History
Pilates is an exercise system that was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. While visiting England from Germany World War I broke out. Pilates was detained along with other German nationals during the war. Pilates spent this time teaching other camp members the concepts and exercises he had learned through yoga, Zen and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens. Considered revolutionary by many, Pilates incorporated important principles of breath, control, fluidity and accuracy of movement, calling his method Contrology. During this time, he also began devising specialized equipment by attaching springs to hospital beds creating resistance exercises for bedridden patients.
In 1920, Pilates moved to New York City and opened his own studio that was widely used by dancers, boxers and other professional athletes. After his death in 1967, the Pilates technique began spreading across the country and became recognized as an important exercise system that could be used by anyone who wants to improve his or her health and fitness, from elite athletes to those rehabilitating from injuries.
About Our Practice
At Perfect Balance, our instructors teach the STOTT® method of pilates, which takes Joseph Pilates method and incorporates the latest in medical research, modern exercise principles and contemporary thinking about spinal rehabilitation and performance enhancement.
Many of our clients come in with a preconceived idea that a pilates class will consist of one hour of crunches, or some variation of an abdominal exercise, but it is so much more. It is a full body workout with, often, the most subtle exercises creating the most effective results! You have to experience it to understand the full impact of how powerful this work really is.
At Perfect Balance we have access to a host of equipment that both challenges and modifies exercises to fit the needs and goals of our clients. We offer classes for all levels and allow our clients to access the most popular equipment such as reformers, chairs, and specialized rehabilitation equipment, regardless of their level. Each workout is designed with the clients’ needs in mind.
We also find that a combination of Fascial Stretch Therapy™ with Pilates to be very beneficial and effective.
For more information, or to book an appointment contact us.