Pilates – a fitness revolution that started over 80 years ago – an 80 year old fad!
The Pilates method is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.
Joseph Pilates called his exercise method the Art of Contrology, which refers to the way the method encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles. It is an exercise program that focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to provide support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of alignment of the spine and strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this alignment, which are important to help alleviate back pain.
Pilates practitioners use their own bodies as “weights” in training, to build strength, and flexibility this is targeted without a focus on high-powered cardiovascular exercise. Today, people from all walks of life and fitness levels, age and ability gain benefit from the practice of the Pilates Method. Many physiotherapists and allied health professionals recommend the Method because of its approach to “Core Stabilisation” and its prime importance in the care and prevention of back pain, as well as the rehabilitation of many musculoskeletal problems.
PRESERVING THE PILATES PRINCIPLES
As the technique of the Pilates method grew in popularity through the 1990’s, many fitness trainers have begun teaching Pilates without any form of certification or formal training in the technique. Obtaining certification can be confusing, as there are numerous organisations who offer certification in exchange for a fee or at the end of a weekend course or even worse, on line. Some practitioners believe the explosion in popularity has thus let to a dilation of the technique as taught by Joseph Pilates and fear in can cause poor results.
- We at the “ Authentic Pilates Studio” aim to teach with the utmost integrity and preserve the Pilates principles in our training.
- We work with a range of authentic “GRATZ PILATES EQUIPMENT” as originally designed and used by Joseph H. Pilates.
Pilates teaches us that the structure of the body is supported and reinforced by the powerhouse, which is the circumference of the lower torso area. A change toward better function is evoked by strengthening this area and improving the dynamic relationship between the powerhouse and movement.
Pilates is a cooperative venture between Instructor and client to pinpoint the weak areas of the body and to strengthen them in order to increase muscular efficiency and bring the body to its full potential.
Pilates helps the body to assume a more integral form by strengthening the powerhouse, by changing poor postural habits, and by educating the body (by mind) in a stronger muscular pattern.
Pilates professionals recognize that their personal embodiment of the structural and energy concepts of “Pilates” provide the foundation for their skill.
WHAT IS CONTROLOGY?
Instructors are committed to the promotion of Joseph Pilates as the creator of his revolutionary work known as “Contrology”. We are honoured to use Contrology to define our teaching and our dedication to the preservation of the original work of Joseph Pilates. Joseph Pilates made extraordinary claims about the benefits of this defined science called “The Art and Science of Contrology”. Perhaps no one can explain its benefits better than Joseph Pilates in his own words:
‘Contrology’ is the complete coordination of the body, mind and spirit.
“Contrology is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk play and work. You will develop muscular power with corresponding endurance, ability to perform arduous duties, to play strenuous games, to walk, run or travel for long distances without undue body fatigue or mental strain.”
extracted from the book “Return to Life Through Contrology” by Joseph Pilates