Pilates is a complete mind and body workout system that strengthens every muscle in the body while focusing on the deep, stabilizer muscles around the spine.
Due to our sedentary lifestyles and everyday habits (wearing a bag on one shoulder, being dominantly right- or left-handed, etc.) some of our muscles are overused, while others are neglected. This deterioration of balance in your muscles leads to unhealthy posture, which in turn can lead to a number of other problems. Pilates aims to restore this balance, devoting special attention to the deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (Joe Pilates originally called them 'the Power House', these days we refer to these muscles as 'the core'). The deepest layer of our abdominals works like a natural belt around the waist (M. Transversus Abdominis). Make this belt strong by practicing Pilates exercises and experience how it gives strength and stability to your spine! Moreover, enjoy how it makes you feel like you wear a flexible corset!
Pilates exercises integrate the mind and body to achieve precision in muscle control. The exercises also mobilize the spine in every possible direction, enabling the spine to preserve and/or recover its flexibility and health. A consciously built body creates harmony and stability in posture. Most importantly, it can prevent rigidity and injury.
The advantages of the Pilates method in a nutshell:
- The perfect solution for preventing or relieving back and lower back pain.
- The best workout programme for people with sedentary lifestyles.
- Provides a distraction from your worries.
- Helps to get rid of built-up stress and frustration.
- Helps release muscle tension through stretching and mobilizing.
- Makes you feel fit and toned.
- Sculpts and elongates muscles.
- Rebalances posture.
- Makes the spine supple and healthy.
- Prevents injury.
- Improves your performance (in sports, dancing, everyday activities).
- Develops body-awareness and stamina.
Pilates training is recommended to anybody who:
- wants to feel strong and streamlined,
- has back and low back pain,
- wants to alleviate stress and tension,
- wants to prevent injury, back and lower back pain, posture problems,
- is a professional athlete,
- is a professional dancer,
- needs to continue focused exercising after post-injury or post-surgery rehab.