Pilates: the new wave of excercise

By Denise Jaurequi
On-line Forty-Niner

People are saying goodbye to their treadmills, Stairmasters and other exercise equipment and replacing them with mats. People from all walks of life are joining the ranks of numerous fitness enthusiasts . Pilates offers a three level workout for all body types. Actors such as Madonna, Sharon Stone and Courtney Cox have publicly shared their enthusiasm for the workout.

The method has attracted international attention since the 1900s. Pilates was first popular among dancers and ballerinas to increase flexibility. The routine has now become more familiar among sports athletes who want to prevent injury and increase strength. Pilates is a great choice of exercise for those of all body types, ages and weight.

Pilates is the art of strengthening your muscles, increasing flexibility while striving to find a balance of mind, body and spirit. It offers an intense workout that increases blood circulation, improves posture and leaves you feeling refreshed through a series of controlled movements that engage your entire body and mind.

Much attention is given to breathing, mental health, slow stretching and meditation. With each stretch, the Pilates student is encouraged to think about each muscle and vertebrae that moves so that over exertion is avoided. It is about being aware of your body, muscles and movements.

Pilates is different from the normal exercise routines such as aerobics, weight training and jogging in that it is safer, prevents more injuries and strengthens the muscles that are usually weaker. The mental aspect of Pilates focuses on finding a balance of mind and body so that the two work together. Where traditional exercise focuses on building short, bulky muscles, Pilates aims to elongate muscles for a more even tone.

Many doctors and rehabilitation specialists have incorporated Pilates into their patients' regime. Pilates has been known to alleviate back pain, and strengthen the body areas that usually cause injury. The focus of Pilates is centered on the idea of strengthening the "core" of your body. The "core" is the deep abdominal muscles and the muscles closest to the spine. Pilates is a popular method of choice among circles of doctors because it is one of the safest and effective forms of rehabilitation.

In the '90s, many rehabilitation practitioners were using the method in multiple fields of rehabilitation, including general orthopaedic, geriatric, chronic pain and neurologic rehabilitation.

Because Pilates has attracted widespread attention it has been easy for those lesser qualified to label themselves "certified instructors." With this, it is important to ask your instructor questions about their past experience and credentials.

"The key to teaching Pilates is having experience and teaching knowledge. It really helps if the instructor has previous dance, martial arts or yoga experience," says Pilates instructor Regina Aleong, who has been teaching for over 11 years at the community college level and has a Masters in Physical Education. "It is important to have knowledge of your center when teaching a Pilates class and always being aware of your breathing," Aleong said.

The Pilates method was created by a man named Joseph Pilates who was born and raised in Germany. Because of his frail health while growing up, Pilates made it a self-goal to become stronger and excel in all athletic ventures. He was an accomplished boxer, skier, diver and gymnast.

Pilates began to develop his now famous method while in an internment camp where he was kept as a German National. While working as a nurse in the camp, Pilates designed exercise apparatuses for immobilized patients by attaching springs to their hospital bed in an effort to strengthen their weakened muscles. These devices would later become a trademarked piece of equipment known as "The Reformer." The dramatic changes in these individuals were evident as they increased in strength and in health.

An organization called the Pilates Method Alliance aims to protect the teachings of Joseph Pilates. This organization is an international not-for-profit professional association that offers those interested in learning, teaching and experiencing Pilates a source of credible information. The organization works to establish accreditation requirements and educational standards for those interested in pursuing the art.