Home > What is Pilates What is Pilates? F.A.Q. What Others Say Classes & Prices Schedule At Your Service Contact Us Privacy What is Pilates?   Pilates is an extremely thorough exercise system that addresses the body and mind as a whole. The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning was developed by Joseph H. Pilates in Britain and the U.S. during and after WWI. His initial focus was to rehabilitate the injured, however as he refined his methods, he realized that his regime is also an excellent way to promote general fitness. Pilates is founded on abdominal (core) strength, regular breathing and the integrated use of muscle systems. Pilates is a rhythmic practise of precise movements repeated five to ten times for each exercise. Pilates is often mis-construed as an exercise method for stretching that only targets core muscles. However, it is in fact a well-balanced workout that tones and strengthens muscles and increases flexibility. It targets the core muscles and the peripheral muscles at the same time. Pilates can correct movement patterns, rebalance musculature around joints for functional strength, improve alignment, increase body awareness, help prevent injury and reduce pain. There are two ways to experience Pilates: working on mats and working on highly specialized Pilates equipment. Working on Mats Mat work is an excellent way to improve strength, flexibility, muscle tone and general fitness. Mat work is typically undertaken in a group class environment, though close supervision - the hallmark of the Pilates Method - means that the student/instructor ratio must be kept low. Here at V.I. Pilates, you'll never attend a mat work class with more than eight students. Mat work is only recommended for healthy individuals who are not suffering from any significant back, neck or joint problems. Working on Pilates Equipment Your work on the equipment follows a detailed program of exercises that has been specifically designed for your particular needs. By gently working against resistance, Pilates equipment gives you feedback that allows you to become aware of and target specific muscles for attention. Equipment work is always closely supervised and requires the continual guidance of a qualified instructor. At V. I. Pilates, your instructor will never be supervising more than four clients at once. Because of the gentle and closely supervised nature of equipment work, a Pilates program can be designed to benefit almost anyone: the fit, the ill, the injured, the elderly and the athlete. The Benefits of Pilates The people who build Pilates into their lifestyle automatically benefit from improved core strength, stability and body awareness. From this base, they accrue a number of other benefits: reduction in low back pain efficient body mechanics functional fitness improved posture and flexibility injury prevention injury rehabilitation (e.g. motor vehicle accidents) corrected movement patterns improved athletic ability (e.g. for yoga, golf, track and field) a balancing of strength and flexibility a reduction of chronic muscle tension and joint stress And from all these benefits flows a sense of well-being that other disciplines rarely achieve.  © 2007 V.I. Pilates Page Last Updated: 2007-01-01