Benefits of Pilates

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates originally called Contrology. He developed the principles of the First World War in the German internment camp. He taught his students using minimal equipment after studying yoga and how animals move. He has been given credit for helping fellow inmates survived the 1918 flu pandemic because they are in such good physical condition.

Joseph Pilates remained in Germany after the war teaches a method for police officers and fitness experts including dancers. He and his wife opened a studio in New York after he immigrated to the United States in 1925. They established a very devout following in the dance and the performing arts community. He died in 1967 at age 83.

Benefits of Pilates

Central theory they developed involves a focus on respiratory and align the spine and strengthen the torso and abdominal muscles. By doing controlled movements slow, resembling Pilates yoga. Benefits include:

• Significant improvement in core strength
• Better mobility of the spine and whole body in general
• Improved balance and stability
• greater coordination skills
• mind-body connection is stronger
• Improved posture
• firmer legs, abs and buttocks

Principles of Pilates

After the set of principles will help those who use Pilates to get the maximum effect of any movement. Each instructor will have their own twist on the principles of Joseph taught but SIX listed below cover the basics.

Control

Contrology many as the original name suggests, stay in full control of movement in each exercise is very important. Avoid jerky moves and stay relaxed. Fast motion can cause injury and make the exercise less effective.

Concentration

Athletes call it focus, others call concentration. Regardless of what you call it, feel in tune with your body. Do not have all the parts of the body in the correct position will make the exercise less effective and not parallel. You will learn a lot about your body and get excellent control over repeated practice.

Centered

Using your core muscles during Pilates (abs, buttocks, back and hips) puts the emphasis on the "center" of your body. An important part of this principle is at the heart of the movement: the abs you have to stop and go up. Your intestines should not bulge out at any time in Pilates if done correctly.

Thoroughness

Joseph Pilates was a perfectionist by nature so it makes sense principles. He stressed that every part of the body to be in the right place at the right time. Follow the step by step process of each exercise right. Hold each movement for the right amount of time for you. The time required will vary from one person to another because of the level of fitness, flexibility and other factors. Each workout should not cause pain or discomfort. Should not hurt to help.

Breathe

Each breath should be slow and deep. Every movement must be coordinated with your breathing to give a sense of harmony between mind and body. Always breathe before movement and exhale while doing it. Deep breathing has been found to effectively empty the stale air and fresh oxygen intake to feed the muscles properly.

Current

Each exercise should be smooth and flowing from one movement to the next. Moving from one exercise to the next should occur without pause or break time. Keep a steady pace and avoid unnecessary movement.

Pilates is a fantastic way to improve strength, flexibility and body control. Even for the most experienced fitness enthusiasts, Pilates has been proven to help develop the whole body fitness.