| To many Pilates is a program of exercises used to | | | | the strains on our body are reflected in our alignment. |
| develop the core muscles or specific groups such as | | | | The imperfections we acquire without realizing it cause |
| those of the abdomen. It was however designed to | | | | problems that can hamper our development and |
| emphasize total muscle tone and a holistic approach of | | | | affect our strength and stamina. Sometimes the |
| combining training of both the mind and body to | | | | overuse of muscles in work or play is detrimental to |
| achieve correct postural alignment. In principle it | | | | our bodies alignment. This exercise program helps |
| considers the whole body rather than targeting | | | | correct these problems and with the mastery of your |
| problem areas. When you use this exercise know that | | | | mind. One of the aspects of the relationship between |
| the process is more important than the result. Your aim | | | | the mind and muscles is muscle memory. Anyone that |
| should be a naturally aligned body rather than one that | | | | has played a sport for any length of time will realize |
| is accepted culturally by certain groups. A body that is | | | | they can perform certain moves without even thinking. |
| properly aligned is less prone to injury. | | | | This is muscle memory through repetitious use and is a |
| Key elements are the lengthening of shorter muscles | | | | key element in learning a new exercise. This can |
| and strengthening of weaker ones, stabilization of the | | | | create unwanted problems if you perform a function |
| body through improving the quality of movement and | | | | at work with incorrect posture over and over; it |
| focusing on the core postural muscles. It is designed to | | | | causes muscle memory in a detrimental way. |
| help breathing, control your smallest movements, allow | | | | Pilates emphasizes working muscles in coordination |
| you to understand and improve body mechanics and | | | | with your mind to improve your structure and posture. |
| develop mental relaxation. You should know that the | | | | It puts emphasis on this type of conscious exercise |
| mechanical system that allows for various movements | | | | because when you lose focus on what your body and |
| in our body is dependent on the harmonious relationship | | | | muscles are doing your body just does what it feels |
| between the skeleton and our voluntary muscles. The | | | | like, not what you would like it to do. The exercises are |
| voluntary muscles are those that protect the skeleton | | | | contingent on working the muscles in three ways, first |
| and ones we can send a message to via our brain. | | | | through exercising a body part in the natural position |
| Involuntary muscles are those such as the pupil in our | | | | and the through inward and outer rotation. The |
| eye that act on their own. The need to link the mind | | | | different exercises isolate specific muscle groups that |
| and body in exercise is fundamental to its principle. | | | | allow for improvement in flexibility, strength and |
| It is designed to help control your entire body through a | | | | movement. With repetition they gradually improve your |
| repetition of exercises performed in a way that | | | | posture. |
| gradually allows you a natural coordination associated | | | | In choosing Pilates remember it is a combination of |
| with subconscious activities. Many of the exercises | | | | both mind and body in exercise to improve your overall |
| used are taken from Eastern practices. In fact Pilates | | | | body structure. It can be used on specific areas that |
| wrote that all animals have this natural coordination and | | | | need improvement but when practiced in association |
| flexibility. In yoga and tai chi for example, many | | | | with your regular fitness program it helps your mental |
| postures are named after animals. At an early age we | | | | development. |
| have a naturally relaxed posture and as we mature | | | | |