Pilates
The Pilates method of body conditioning is a unique system of stretching and strengthening exercises developed over ninety years ago by Jospeh H. Pilates. It strengthens and tones muscles, improves posture, provides flexibility and balance, unites body and mind, and creates a more streamlined shape.
The Pilates philosophy focuses on training the mind and body to work together toward the goal of overall fitness. Although born in a completely different era, Joseph Pilates understood the physical and mental pressures of a busy schedule. He sought to reeducate us to work our bodies with effeiency of performing our daily tasks in mind. Pilates believed that his method would propel people to become more productive both mentally and physically.
Pilates began developing his exercise system in Germany in the early 1900s. Plagued by asthma and rickets as a child, Pilates' method sprang form his determination to strengthen his frail and sickly body. He called his methos "The Art of Contrology," or muscle control, to highlight his unique approach of using the mind to master the muscles. Interned during the First World War, he taught his method to fellow internees and successfully maintained their health through the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918. During the latter part of the war Pilates served as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man. He attached spring to the hospital beds to support the patients' ailing limbs while he worked with them, and he and the doctors noticed that the patients were improving faster.
These spring-based exercises became the basisis for the apparatus Pilates would later design to be used in conjunction with the matwork. That is why the Pilates name is often associated with strange-looking machines, but the matwork is the original movement system that he created and is just as effective as the work done on the machines.
Pilates set up the first official Studio in New York City after immigrating to the US in 1926. Since its introduction to AMerican culture Pialtes has maintained a steady and devout following. It has been the secret of dancers and performers since the late 1920s. In recent years it has been discovered by athletes, models, and actors who say they owe their strong, lithe bodies to the Pilates method.
Joseph Pilates authored a book in 1945 called Return to LIfe. That title epitomizes the very nature of the Pilates methos. Through concentrated and creative effort you too will reap the myriad benefits that this unique method of conditioning has to offer, reawakening your body through movement and your mind through conscious thought. The combination resulrs in the extra plus of the Pilates method: a revitalization of spirit that is a crucial factor in maintaining good helath and a sound mind and body.*
*Excerpt from The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler, Broadway Books, 2000.
Matwork
The matwork integrates whole body movements focused mainly on the "Powerhouse," the area just above and below the navel, wrapping around the body to include abdominals, glutes, hips, and lower back. In Pilates, we "lengthen to strengthen" using precise, controled movements that results in a uniformly developed body that has long, lean muscles. With consistent training, students find their joint pain decreased, their stamina increased and their bodies becoming stronger and more streamlined.
Chair
Joseph Pilates originally developed the "Chair" for NYC apartment dwellers who had limited space for exercising.
At Balance, our Pilates Chair classes integrate matwork with challenging sequences that take your practice to a different level.
We stand on, sit on, lay over and under the chair pressing against the tension of the springs to deeply challenge core muscles.
Equipment
At Balance, we offer individual instruction on the Peak Pilates System Deluxe.
The PPS combines three essential pieces of equipement, the Reformer, Cadillac (Tower End), and Mat, into one compact unit. The PPS is the most versatile and innovative piece of Pilates equipement available today.
The equipment sequences further challenge the core muscles of the body to reach and lengthen developing a strong, lean body.
Pilatesstick
Experience Pilates "without limits" with the Pilatesstick, a completely portable (and very affordable) version of the traditional Tower. During our classes Matwork is infused with challenging spring resistance. We will explore prone, seated, kneeling and standing exercises to develop strong arms and abs and long lean legs. (Pilatessticks are available for purchase at Balance for only $150.) Prior experience in Pilates is necessary to take this class.