What Is Pilates

Definition of Pilates

Pilates (pi-la-teez): An exercise system designed by Joseph Pilates to balance strength and flexibility through body movements that elongate and tone your muscles while teaching good posture, graceful movement, and proper breathing.

What are the Benefits of Pilates?

• Creates a balanced and evenly conditioned body
  Pilates conditions the body as a whole, training several muscles at once. No muscle group is over or under trained. Conventional workouts tend to make the strong muscles stronger and the weak muscles weaker, creating a muscle imbalance - the primary cause of injury.
• Elongates and strengthens muscles while increasing flexibility
  Workouts are designed to create long, toned muscles as well as a flat abdomen. No "bulking up".
• Increased lung capacity and circulation
  Deep, healthy breathing is a primary focus of Pilates conditioning.
• Develops strength of the "Core"
  Core, meaning center of the body, consists of the muscles that surround and protect the spine. Control of the deep abdominal and back musculature allows your limbs to move gracefully.
• Challenges without increasing stress
  Most exercises are low impact and partially weight bearing. This reduces the stress placed on the joints while allowing maximum muscle performance.
• Improves body awareness
  Emphasis on proper breathing and correct body alignment while focusing on purposeful movement patterns increase your awareness of how your body moves and feels in space. Quality over quantity of movement prevails, resulting in maximum power and efficiency.

Commonly Asked Questions About Pilates

May I use my insurance for Pilates Conditioning? No. Our Pilates Conditioning Services are separate from physical therapy services. Pilates Conditioning is a one-on-one body conditioning session with a Certified Pilates Instructor that has extensive training in the Pilates field.