What is Pilates?
The Pilates method is based on the principles of precise controlled movements to increase muscular strength and flexibility simultaneously. Joseph Pilates (creator of the method) recognized the importance of strengthening and utilizing the body’s core to support the body in all its movements. This focus on developing the body’s core is the key to the Pilates Method. Where other exercise regimens isolate muscles and work each area of the body individually, Pilates treats the body as an integrated whole and requires focus to recruit many muscles to work simultaneously.
The Pilates Method consists of more than 500 mat and equipment based exercises. With a regular Pilates practice, students will re-educate their bodies’ neuromuscular patterns to achieve optimal effectiveness.
Benefits of Pilates
- Improves posture and body alignment
- Restores lost movement without strain
- Increases stamina and enhances coordination
- Builds overall strength and improves flexibility
- Fosters healthy joint mobility
- Defines and creates long and lean muscles
- Helps heal and prevent back pain
- Relaxes and rejuvenates
History of Pilates
Joseph Hubertus Pilates (1880-1967) is the Inventor of the Pilates Method and his wife Clara shared his passion for the technique. Pilates began developing his exercise system in Germany in the early 1900s and together they inspired many.
Plagued by asthma and rickets as a child, Pilates’ method sprang from his determination to strengthen his frail and sickly body. The matwork is the original movement system he created and shared while interning in the First World War. Pilates taught his method to fellow interns and successfully maintained their health during the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918.
During the latter part of the war, he served as an orderly and began working with non-ambulatory patients. He attached springs to their hospital beds to support their ailing limbs while he worked with them and doctors noticed great improvement in their conditions. These spring-based exercises became the basis for the Pilates apparatus we see in Pilates studios today.
In his book “Return to Life through Contrology” Joseph Pilates (with co-author, William John Miller), interpreted physical fitness as “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 daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.”
Since he wrote this book in 1945, Contrology has become known as The Pilates Method. Joseph Pilates believed in the power of the minds to control our bodies. And, we imagine he would be ecstatic to know his work is being embraced by so many today! According to Joe, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” We completely agree. Thank you Joseph and Clara Pilates.
Pilates at Quarry Arts
Pilates at Quarry Arts is dedicated to making sure that you have the ultimate Pilates experience. Our instructors are certified through nationally recognized, comprehensive certification programs and combine their Pilates and other movement experience to provide you with highly skilled and caring instruction to help you achieve your movement goals. Your Pilates practice will rebalance and re-sculpt the musculature of your body to improve ease of movement.