Pilates
Pilates is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body. With systematic practice of specific exercises coupled with focused breathing patterns, Pilates has proven itself invaluable not only as a fitness endeavor itself but also as an important adjunct to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation of all kinds.
Developed in the 1920s by the legendary physical trainer Joseph H. Pilates, the Pilates Method is a series of exercises that can be performed on a mat or with specialized equipment. Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He started life as a small, frail child, which fuelled his fascination with exercises that would make him healthier, stronger and more physically attractive. Obsessed with attainment of the perfect body, he became an accomplished skier, boxer and gymnast. During World War I, Pilates was interned due to his nationality and it was during this time that he designed exercise apparatus used to rehabilitate injured war victims. In 1926, Pilates and his wife opened their first studio in New York City where many of their first clients came from the world of dance. Eminent dancemasters such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Martha Graham became devoted to his method.
I enjoy my pilates, very much so. I take classes during the week & try to discipline myself to pilate at home, but I find that the classes are much more effective for me. It's all about the core...and not easy you know, a workout that really amazes me. If I miss a class or two during the week, when I go to my next class I find that I am off balance. I learned that your balance depends on what is going on with you that day. If I've had a stressful day at work there have been a few times this has happened where my body is off balance, and I try to focus more so that I'm in sync with the exercise.
In the beginning of class we practice our breathing while listening to soothing & relaxing music by Enya or Nora Jones. The other night we listened to 'Breathe' by Anna Nalik, which by the way is on my top 10 list of songs for the year so far, great song! Then we start stretching while breathing & getting warmed up for our workout of scissors & other great pilate moves. The breathing part is so important. When I first started taking classes last year I was using the Windsor technique, which is breathing in & out through your nose. My trainer taught us to breathe in through our nose & out through our mouth, which is much more conducive. Then as the class starts to get more intense, up to levels 3 & 4 we are listening to a faster pace of music, like 'I Like It' by Narcotic Thrust, where I think of keeping in shape & dancing on the dance floor at a club...really or 'Karma' by Alicia Keys. We start using our weights, weight bars, bands to work out our arms & legs, and it's about a good hour and a half of pure energy, drive & satisfaction. Pilates is just awesome & I totally recommend it........thanks Joseph Pilates!!
