Is Pilates For Me?
I’ve heard about Pilates… Is Classical Pilates for Me?
Classical Pilates is beneficial for men and women: young or old, athletic, sedentary, or in physical therapy. It is a system of body conditioning that is both gentle and athletic, known for its “feel good” and body transforming results. The results you see go far beyond just weight loss!
People who consistently use the Classical Pilates Method report benefits such as:
- Improved posture
- Strengthened and toned muscles without added bulk
- Increased flexibility and muscle control
- Improved alignment, coordination, and balance
- Increased lung capacity
- Uniformly developed muscles
- Improved range of motion
- Improved body awareness
- A more balanced body preventing muscle and soft tissue injury
Who Benefits from Pilates?
Athletes
Athletes, of all levels, cross-train with Pilates. Golfers, runners, skaters, tennis players, dance companies, sports teams (football, baseball, etc.), equestrian, and fitness enthusiasts are utilizing Pilates to fine-tune and rehabilitate their bodies.
Yoga Enthusiasts
Pilates and Yoga share similar goals, with both methods believing in individual progress in a non-competitive arena, with emphasis on stretching as well as strengthening of muscles. However, Pilates works the body as an integrated whole, coordinating the upper and lower musculature with the body’s center. This dramatically improves strength, flexibility, posture and coordination.
Tech Pros
Technology Professionals, Computer Users, and People who Drive a lot benefit from Pilates to stretch and strengthen neck and shoulders, improving posture and body awareness and alleviating and preventing neck and shoulder strain.
Injury Prevention (Body Awareness)
Classical Pilates teaches body awareness, developing a new level of mind and body connection. Injuries often occur where the body compensates for developmental imbalances or trauma. Classical Pilates is a wonderful tool for addressing these problems. With a better understanding of the injury or misalignment, the client can heal faster and is less prone to re-injury. Focus on the “POWERHOUSE” (muscles groups of the abdomen, lower back and buttocks) helps athletes and people with physically demanding jobs prevent or reduce injury.
Injury Rehab (Physical Therapists)
Rediscovered by Physical therapists, sports injury experts, chiropractors and orthopedists, Pilates can be successfully integrated into rehabilitative exercise and physical therapy programs designed to speed the recovery of soft tissue injuries.
Back/Neck Pain, Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers
Enthusiasts report relief from back, neck, and arthritis pain. Recently, Pilates has been introduced as a part of muscular therapy for multiple sclerosis sufferers.
Pregnancy
Pilates can be safely practiced by Pregnant women helping them learn proper breathing and body alignment, improve concentration, and recover body shape and tone after childbirth. If you are already pregnant and have never done Pilates or have not done it recently, we recommend you wait to start your Pilates program until after the birth of your child. Additionally, some of the exercises are particularly beneficial to women in general because they strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and pelvic floor, important for maintaining continence.
People Ages 70's & 80's
Feel too old to exercise? Pilates has been safely practiced by men and women in their 70’s and 80’s for almost 90 years.
Celebrity Devotees
Celebrities and athletes who are devotees of the Pilates Method include: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Sofia Vergara, Candice Bergen, Jodie Foster, Katharine Hepburn, Madonna, Bill Murray, Martina Navratilova, Shalom Harlow, Uma Thurman, Tommy Tune, Sigourney Weaver, Danny Glover, Kristi Yamaguchi, Kim Cattrall, Jasmond Sky, Jessica Lange, James Taylor, and Robert Downey Jr, to name a few.
In addition, they find they sleep better, have increased energy, stress release, and reduced fatigue and/or chronic pain.