What is Pilates?

‘Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking nor outright purchase’

Pilates originally called ‘Contrology’ is a form of exercise created by Joseph Pilates and evolved in New York during the 1920’s–1950’s at the same time as body building exercises for the modern gym and many contemporary movement therapies.

Originally Pilates was machine-based focusing on rehabilitation of dancers and actors in New York. It quickly developed into a primary conditioning tool as well, for these performers with matwork classes designed to keep them flexible and stable.

The general population gradually were also introduced to the method, and only in the last thirty years did Pilates escape America to be found in England during the early seventies and in Australia during the mid eighties.

Modern Pilates offers a choice of activities for the participant; from rehabilitation to a method of balancing the body to increase flexibility and tone; strength and conditioning; and sports or occupation specific training.

‘Contrology (Pilates) exercises build a sturdy body and sound mind capable of performing every daily task with ease and perfection’

Pilates is based on the principle that it is through the control of the mind that we can discipline and train the body most effectively ‘Be certain that you have your entire body under complete mental control’.

In this way Joe Pilates fused the best of Eastern and Western approaches in physical training into an integrated conditioning system that some eighty years later has exploded around the world.

Joe used to say: ‘When I am dead, they’ll say “He was right”. I’m fifty years ahead of my time’.

And so he was.

Pilates Principles and Benefits

Pilates harnesses the body and the mind leaving the participant to feel ‘worked out’ and enlivened at the end of the session or class. People leave feeling physically extended but mentally rejuvenated.

Modern Pilates taught at Pilates Canberra embodies 6 original principles and two additional Pilates International principles:

Centering

Every Pilates movement emanates from the centre of the body between the sternum and pubic bone.

Breathing

To access the centre Pilates uses a specific breathing pattern that also releases tension to make every movement more effective.

‘The complete inhalation and exhalation of air stimulates all muscles into greater activity’

Concentration

Pilates movements require focused thought, direction and understanding.

‘Concentrate on the correct movements each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all the vital benefits of their value’

Precision

Every action is directed to ensure maximum efficiency of movement and energy and repeated a small number of times.

‘Do not sacrifice knowledge in the favor of speed’

Control

In Pilates all muscles act with synergy when directed.

‘Good posture can only be successfully acquired when the entire mechanism of the body is under perfect control’

Flowing Movement

Increased range of motion and strength in Pilates stems from smooth continuous movements.

Alignment

An awareness of the body’s positioning throughout Pilates ensures a balance of the body and movement.

‘True flexibility can be achieved only when all muscles are uniformly developed’

Commitment

Pilates—like any sport, art or passion requires dedicated and consistent practice.

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Modern Pilates:
Experience two forms

Modern Pilates can be experienced in two forms; each offers different presentations and outcomes:

Studio equipment-based sessions

• designed for the individual in mind
• can be individual (private) or up to four participants with the one trainer (semi-private)
• involving some matwork and specialized spring loaded resistance equipment
• enabling each participant to achieve their particular physical goals and balance of body

Matwork Classes

• Up to 15 participants
• working through a broad range of exercises on the floor
• classes are flowing and work through the entire body in a non-impactful yet powerful way

Words from Joseph Pilates

‘Everyone is the architect of their own happiness’

‘Health is a normal condition”

‘If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young’

‘Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure’

‘(Physical fitness is) a co-ordinated and balanced tri-part unity of body, mind and spirit’