Pilates is a method of conditioning that transforms and rebalances the muscles and skeleton into a longer and stronger body; producing excellent results for people of all ages and abilities – couch potatoes and professional athletes alike. Movements are initiated from the core and are corrective in nature.

The Principles of Pilates are:

1) CONTROL and CONCENTRATION – Integration of body and mind to create body awareness. Joseph Pilates called his method “Contrology.”

2) Working from the CORE – Utilizing abdominal muscles to attain and maintain a ‘neutral,’ supple and stable spine (supporting all natural curves).

3) PRECISION OF MOVEMENT – for alignment and efficiency.

4) FLOWING MOVEMENT or SEQUENCING – Integrate more muscles to eliminate overuse, stress and fatigue.

5) BREATH – Breathing with intention relieves stress, energizes the mind and body, creates endurance and strengthens the abdominal muscles.

The Pilates Method was created in the early 1900’s! It’s current popularity came about as celebrities and professional athletes such as Jake Arietta, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and many others incorporated the Method into their conditioning. Some of these folks came to Pilates to recover as well as train. Another contributing factor was litigation over the trade-marking of the term “Pilates.” The term has now been legalized as generic – like yoga and aerobics. The Method is still making its way into the mainstream. Since it applies to all ages and abilities, its applications and benefits are LIMITLESS!

Not at all. Incorporation of equipment increases the number of exercises from about 100 to over 800 moves! As a matter of fact, the Method is based on Fundamentals that are performed on a floor Mat. On a mat, it’s simply you and gravity. The equipment: Reformer, Cadillac, Tower, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Foot Corrector and accessories such as the Magic Circle, Foam Roller, Flexbands, and physioballs are all utilized to assist individuals’ ability to access core muscles and build body awareness. The equipment also adds variety. As one advances through the exercises the equipment can then be utilized to challenge each move, increasing core capability.