WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates is a holistic movement practice aimed at developing strength, control and flexibility in your body

“The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit.” – Joseph Pilates

The Pilates Method was pioneered by Joseph Pilates who had a highly eventful life. Born in Germany in 1883, Joseph Pilates overcame a series of childhood illnesses to become a gymnast, diver, skier, boxer and circus performer. He moved to England in 1912 and was interned on the Isle of Man during the First World War.

It was in England where he developed a series of unique exercises to aid the rehabilitation of patients that were in-firmed, using a series of springs attached to their hospital beds. These innovations would become the basis of the modern Pilates Method that is practiced and taught around the world today.

After the war, Joseph and Clara Pilates moved to New York, where they opened their famous Body Conditioning gym in 1926. Developing his initial exercises further and inventing a series of rehabilitative apparatus, Pilates soon became one of the most sought-after practitioners of remedial fitness, teaching dancers, actors and celebrities of the day.

The PIlates Method

Pilates called his new exercise discipline ‘Contrology’; since his death in 1967 it has been universally known as The Pilates Method.

The Pilates Method has been refined over the years, first by Joseph and Clara Pilates and latterly by the teachers that they trained. However, its guiding ethos has always been to ensure that exercises are tailored for the individual, rather than merely prescribing a series of generic movements.

Pilates is also a ‘hands-on’ technique where, in keeping with the working practices of Joseph Pilates himself, the teacher guides the movement of the client.

Principles

Pilates has traditionally applied the three key objectives that formed the basis of Joseph Pilates’ work: breath, whole-body health and whole-body commitment. From this foundation, modern Pilates teaching operates on the basis of these six fundamental principles.

BREATH

"Above all, learn how to breathe correctly." - Joseph Pilates

Naturally, breathing is quite an important thing to do! However, are we breathing as effectively as we could be? Most people actually breathe in quite a shallow and inefficient manner. At Plas Pilates, we aim to improve your respiratory capacity by teaching you Pilates breathing, which supports and corsets the abdominals and gently elongates the spine. As well enhancing your respiration, Pilates breathing also helps to give you a more balanced posture. It all starts with the breath.

CONCENTRATION

“It’s the mind itself which shapes the body.” Joseph Pilates

Stressed? Worried? Distracted? Modern life is fast-paced and often involves juggling multiple commitments and concerns. Now, more than ever, it is important to take small moments of calm. Pilates is a discipline of our minds as much as our bodies. Taking time out from our busy day to focus on targeted exercises helps to declutter our minds and improve our wellbeing. Plas Pilates gives you that space, time and mentored movement to focus on you and your physicality.

CENTERING

“If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If is completely flexible at 60, you are young” - Joseph Pilates

You’ve probably heard about the need to strengthen your ‘core’. It’s one of the things that people often think about when they hear the word ‘Pilates’ - and it is certainly the most overused and misunderstood construct in health and exercise circles. But we are not apples! Or computer processors. Or nuclear reactors. The notion of centring - or developing ‘core strength’ as the current buzz-word goes - is important, but perhaps not in the way that you may be led to believe. It’s not about the ‘six-pack’, which is just one part of an intricate system of musculature that is vital to our everyday movement. It’s about developing a key series of muscles in the body, centrally based in the torso, to strengthen and support your spine. At Plas Pilates we will take you on a journey into your centre, not your ‘core’.

CONTROL

“Contrology is not a system of haphazard exercises designed to produce only bulging muscles.” Joseph Pilates

Remember Madonna’s rippling biceps? Yes, she got those from Pilates, and you can too - if that’s what you want. However, Pilates is not about body building, but building your body to withstand the challenges of daily life. Much of our movement and exercise patterns occur by rote. We lift a particular weight ten times in a row, or run the same route regularly, often without reflecting on how it feels. Pilates is intended to be less slavishly repetitive and more about controlled sequences of intense focus on specific movements. At Plas Pilates we guide you towards working effectively, but most importantly correctly, to ensure that you move as efficiently as possible, both inside and outside the Pilates studio.

PRECISION

“The Pilates Method teaches you to be in control of your body and not at its mercy” Joseph Pilates

We are all unique people with unique bodies. No two people - even twins - move in an identical manner or share the same physicality. At Plas Pilates, our mission is to work in a bespoke manner to cater for the individual physical needs of each one of our clients. No generic workouts with dozens of very different people all doing the same things, just small class numbers with teachers trained to the very highest standards to ensure that you receive the individualised care and attention that your body needs and deserves. How does your body feel today?

FLOW

“When all your muscles are properly developed, you will, as a matter of course, perform your work with minimum effort and maximum pleasure.” - Joseph Pilates

Go with the flow! It’s a wonderful feeling when everything is aligned, effortless and natural. Pilates encourages your body to move with ease and fluidity, and to function optimally, irrespective of your age or physical condition. At Plas Pilates, we nurture your lifelong relationship with your body, helping you to breathe, rest and move as efficiently as possible. Whether you are seeking to enhance athletic performance, improve your mobility, manage health-related challenges, or future-proof your body against the rigors of daily life, Pilates has benefits for everybody - and everybody.