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WHAT
IS THE PILATES METHOD?
Pilates
- a fitness revolution that started 80 years ago – an 80
year old fad!
The Pilates method is a physical fitness system that was
developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.
Joseph
Pilates
called his
exercise method the Art of
Contrology,
which refers to the way the method encourages the use of
the mind to control the muscles. It is an exercise program
that focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep
the body balanced and are essential to provide support for
the spine. In particular, Pilates
exercises teach awareness of alignment of the spine and
strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this
alignment, which are important to help alleviate back
pain.
Pilates
practitioners
use their own bodies as "weights" in training,
to build strength, and flexibility this is targeted
without a focus on high-powered cardiovascular exercise.
Today, people from all walks of life and fitness levels,
age and ability gain benefit from the practice of the Pilates
Method. Many physiotherapists and allied health
professionals recommend the Method because of its approach
to "Core Stabilisation" and its prime importance
in the care and prevention of back pain, as well as the
rehabilitation of many musculoskeletal problems.
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Joseph
Pilates with a client on the ladder barrel 1961 (81 yrs)
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PRESERVING
THE PILATES PRINCIPLES
As the technique of the Pilates method grew in
popularity through the 1990’s, many fitness
trainers have begun teaching Pilates without any
form of certification or formal training in the
technique. Obtaining certification can be confusing,
as there are numerous organisations who offer
certification in exchange for a fee or at the end of
a weekend course. Some practitioners believe the
explosion in popularity has thus let to a dilation
of the technique as taught by Joseph Pilates and
fear in can cause poor results.
We at the “ Authentic Pilates Studio” aim to
teach with the utmost integrity and preserve the
Pilates principles in our training.
- We
work with a range of authentic "GRATZ
PILATES EQUIPMENT" as originally used
by Joseph H. Pilates.
This equipment was specially designed and
developed by Joseph H. Pilates.
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Pilates
teaches
us that the structure of the body is supported and
reinforced by the powerhouse, which is the circumference
of the lower torso area. A change toward better function
is evoked by strengthening this area and improving the
dynamic relationship between the powerhouse and movement.
“When you feel that the stomach completely wraps
around the spine, then you know you have it!"
Pilates
is a cooperative venture between Instructor and client to
pinpoint the weak areas of the body and to strengthen them
in order to increase muscular efficiency and bring the
body to its full potential.
Pilates
helps
the body to assume a more integral form by strengthening
the powerhouse, by changing poor postural habits, and by
educating the body (by mind) in a stronger muscular
pattern.
Pilates
professionals recognize that their personal embodiment of
the structural and energy concepts of “Pilates”
provide the foundation for their skill.
WHAT
IS CONTROLOGY?
Instructors are committed to the promotion of Joseph
Pilates as the creator of his revolutionary work known as
"Contrology."
We are honoured to use Contrology
to
define our teaching and our dedication to the preservation
of the original work of Joseph Pilates. Joseph
Pilates made extraordinary claims about the benefits of
this defined science called "The Art and Science of Contrology."
Perhaps no one can explain its benefits better than Joseph
Pilates in his own words:
"'Contrology'
is the complete coordination of the body, mind and
spirit.
"'Contrology
is
designed to give you suppleness, natural grace and skill
that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk
play and work. You will develop muscular power with
corresponding endurance, ability to perform arduous
duties, to play strenuous games, to walk, run or travel
for long distances without undue body fatigue or mental
strain."
extracted from the book "Return to Life
Through 'Contrology " by Joseph Pilates
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