German born Joseph Pilates (1880 – 1967) had a sickly childhood.  He studied many forms of self-improvement from Zen Buddhism and Yoga to skiing, boxing, gymnastics and diving.  He was inspired by the ancient Greek ideal of a man perfected in the development of body, mind and spirit.

The exercises he devised were originally used as a rehabilitation programme for prisoners of war in WWI.  He evolved his method of exercise, which he termed ‘Contrology’ in the 1920’s in New York.

Until the 1980’s when exercise science caught up with the Pilates exercise principles, it was mainly dancers and elite athletes who kept Joseph Pilates’ method alive.

One of the best things about Pilates is that it works so well and so safely for such a wide range of people.  While dancers and athletes still love Pilates, it is also a terrific form of exercise for Seniors, those who are pregnant, and those at various levels of recovery, rehabilitation and maintenance.

The most popular benefits reported by those practising Pilates are that they become stronger, leaner and more able to do anything with grace and ease.

All exercises are developed with modifications to ensure your ‘work-out’ is challenging whilst maintaining safety, at any level of fitness and at any stage in your life.

‘Core stability’ is the foundation of Pilates.  These core muscles are the deep internal muscles of the back and lower abdomen.  When activated correctly they provide an ‘internal corset’, protecting, guiding and supporting the movement of your spine and the rest of your body.

As these core stabilising muscles are developed, you will gain stability throughout your entire trunk.  This is how Pilates can help alleviate low back pain and pelvic pain.  As the trunk is stabilised, the pressure on the spine is reduced and allows the whole body to move freely and efficiently.

The Six Pilates Principles

These principles are the essential ingredients in a high quality Pilates work out.  Quality of movement must be emphasised over quantity.