The Basics of Pilates

The basic exercises of pilates are similar in philosophytogether to blend an exercise and nutritional approach
as other mind-body exercises, which is more ato living. Neither claimed to be experts in nutrition, but
conscious way of being in your body for your wholethey were smart enough to include it in their overall
life and becomes a part of everything you do.philosophy for total healthy living.
There are people in their 90's who show excellentBefore you dive into pilates, take a few minutes to
coordination and flexibility thanks to the life-longconsider what you are trying to accomplish. It's not a
benefits of practicing pilates.miracle worker. You are not going to become the next
Why consider pilates?Baryshnikov or Pavlova when you buy a DVD, pay for
Any exercise that does not put undue strain on your2-hours with an instructor or buy a machine.
joints, improves your balance, strengthens your majorOver time you will notice more flexibility, your back
muscles and you can start right away is a good thingmay not hurt anymore, your tummy appears to be
in my book.shrinking and you can walk 10,000 steps without
The key philosophy is based on movement, controlgasping for air.
and a commitment to total body health and breathYou have choices when it comes to deciding how you
control. Whether you are simply getting your daily walk,are going to get started with your pilates exercises.
feeding the cat or exercising the dog, pilates blendsWill you begin private lessons with your own instructor,
into your life - not another gotta do tacked onto yourjoin a group class or are you disciplined enough to
life.really go it alone with a DVD?
Traditionally exercises are fluid, smoothly moving fromIf you can find a class that offers a free introductory
one core muscle group to the next and breathing playslesson, my suggestion is to take them up on the offer.
a large part in doing them for maximum benefit. OftenFind out firsthand if the instructor is someone you might
compared to yoga in this aspect, it differs in that thewant to work with or if exercising in a group is right for
longer you practice the more intense your workoutsyou.
will become.Unfortunately there are quite a few instructors and
Initially when you are a beginner, your practice willpersonal trainers who have jumped on the bandwagon
usually begin with mat exercises. Though many pilateswithout a clear understanding of the scope and
instructors include exercise balls, barrel corrector, ringsmeaning behind the pilates method. Which can set you
and so forth to create more challenge to yourup to be disappointed, frustrated and possibly injured.
workouts as you progress.One place to find both a certified instructor and learn
Do you have to do all this? No. Remember this isn'tmore about the exercises is the Pilates Method
meant to become a competition with anyone else orAlliance.
impress anybody. Do what's right for you.The same precautions should be taken with any DVD
How does all this tie into your healthy weight loss plan?or video program. They run from passably good for
Pilates is meant to be a part of your overall plan forbeginners to a big waste of time. Read a few online
long term health, before, during and after you losereviews at Amazon or search for reviews on sites
weight.that are not trying to sell you something. If all else fails,
When Joseph and Clara Pilates originated the programhang outside a studio and ask a few of the people
(he was the exercise yang to her nursing yin), theirleaving for their opinions of where to start as a
backgrounds complimented each other workingbeginner.