The Six Pilates Principles: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, Flow
What is Pilates?
Pilates was created by Joseph H. Pilates, who was born in Germany in the year 1880. It was while rehabilitating disabled people during World War I that Pilates began to create his apparatuses and exercise regime that he is famous for today.
Pilates is a sequence of exercises developed and practiced to simultaneously stretch, strengthen, tone and align the body, while eliminating excess tension and strain on the joints. Workouts are performed on specialized, spring-based resistance equipment which encourages core strength and won’t bulk muscles. All sessions focus on the quality, not the quantity of the exercise.
It is the mind-body connection that truly makes Pilates unique and today, doctors everywhere are recommending the Pilates Method for keeping the body strong.
How Often is Pilates Done?
The Pilates Method should be done three times a week for best results. There are no real secrets to The Pilates Method; only maintaining good form with the proper breathing techniques, through a series of rhythmic and controlled movements.
While you should feel and see results fairly quickly, integrating a Pilates “routine” into your weekly schedule that is realistic for you to stick with long term is ideal.
Joseph H. Pilates at the age of 57
How are Pilates & Yoga Different?
Pilates mainly concentrates on cultivating core strength in the body and lengthening the spine. Also, Pilates is a valuable tool for increasing strength, definition and proper posture. Yoga aims to work the body equally and unite the body with mind and spirit, and is considered more therapeutic.
Yoga has many different styles, but all are generally performed in a group setting on a yoga mat with the aid of a yoga instructor. Pilates has a full component of mat work, but it also incorporates work on Pilates apparatus which help build a longer, leaner, dancer-like physique.
View photos of our Pilates studio located on 5th Ave in Indialantic, FL