What is Pilates?
The Pilates method was originally devised by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s.
Joseph Pilates opened his New York Studio ‘Body Conditioning Gym’ which soon become in popular in particular with the dance community, as it offered a chance to improve technique or recover from injury. He invented a range of resistance machines: Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, where spring tension was used to support or challenge the body.
During his lifetime the Joseph Pilates method of exercise was called Contrology. It was only after his death that it become known as the Pilates Method.
I invented all these machines… it resists your movements in just the right way so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way you can concentrate on movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly. Then your whole body is in it – Joseph Pilates
Matwork based Pilates is a relatively modern development designed to make the Pilates method more accessible. It is a low load exercise system that can work for everyone regardless of age or fitness level.
Pilates is a perfect complement to many sporting and recreational activities, as well as being ideally suited to help with medical conditions such as:
- Low back or neck pain
- Sciatica or piriformis syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Hypermobility
- Spine degeneration due to age or injury
- Scoliosis
- Pelvic floor issues
- Reduced joint mobility
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neuropathy
- Pre and post joint replacement operations