WHAT IS PILATES?
Created by by a strong man, a gymnast and a boxer, Joseph Pilates, Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. Created as a dynamic movement experience to help stretch and stretch the body at the same time, with control from the mind over our powerhouse (deep abs, waist, butt and back) and taught with focus on the breath to to help return people to life.
HISTORY OF PILATES
Joseph Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883. We don’t know so much about his early life, but he appears to have been a frail child, suffering from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. His drive and determination to overcome these ailments led him to become a competent gymnast, diver and skier.
In 1912 Pilates lived in England working as a circus performer, boxer and self-defence instructor. During the First World War, he was interned with other German nationals. During this time he developed his technique of physical fitness further, by teaching his fellow internees. During the latter part of the War, he served as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man where he worked with patients unable to walk. He attached bed springs to the hospital beds to help support the patients' limbs, leading to the development of his famous piece of equipment known as the 'Cadillac'.
Pilates emigrated to the USA in the early 1920s with his wife Clara, and together they developed and taught the method in their 'body-conditioning gym' in New York in 1926.
WHO IS PILATES SUITABLE FOR?
Pilates is suitable for people of all ages ranging from pensioners wanting to improve their general well-being, expecting mums to new mums, people suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and even sports enthusiasts wanting to further improve their performance.
Pilates was initially used mainly by dancers but has now become recognised to have beneficial effects in a wide range of conditions and sports. Pilates is such a good concept that everyone can gain something from Pilates. Some common conditions we treat are:
Hamstring problems
Postural/biomechanical problems
Weak bottom muscles
Sacra-iliac pain
Knee and hip pain
Hypermobility syndrome
Post abdominal surgery
THE TOP 10 BENEFITS OF PILATES
IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY:
Even you never had a flexible body, as you develop your Pilates practice you’ll notice that your range of motion improves as your muscles lengthen.
WHOLE BODY WORKOUT:
The wonder of Pilates is that no muscle is forgotten and you’ll truly be working every part of the body. Not only does Pilates target large muscles group, it also works the smaller, rarely used muscles.
FOCUS ON CORE STRENGTH:
While Pilates works every muscle of the body, there is a particular focus on core strength and engaging those deep abdominal muscles. With every session, you’ll find your core muscles getting stronger and stronger.
EASES BACK PAIN:
For sufferers of back pain, particularly lower back pain, you may find some welcome relief with regular Pilates practice as your core stabilises and is better able to support your back muscles.
BETTER POSTURE:
As you simultaneously improve your strength and flexibility in Pilates,  you’ll find that your posture improves as you stretch and strengthen the muscles surrounding your spine.
INJURY RECOVERY:
If you’re suffering from an injury which is making it difficult for you to exercise, Pilates could be perfect solution and is the favoured choice for athletes to assist with injury recovery.
LESS PRESSURE ON JOINTS:
Pilates works very easy on the joints due to the slow, controlled exercises and lack of impact. That’s perfect for who is searching for a fitness activity which doesn’t place inapt pressure on the joints.
ENHANCED MIND AND BODY CONNECTION:
In Pilates, you’ll learn how to use your breathe for a better use of your muscles and this helps you become more in tune with your body as you flow between each exercise.
REDUCTION IN STRESS:
With our busy lifestyle, self-care is important and regular Pilates practice allows you to take time out and focus on yourself and your body. This can go a long way in reducing your stress levels.
SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS:
As we already said, Pilates is the perfect training for all the age and all the body conditions.