Pilates is a low-impact physical fitness system that aims to strengthen muscles while improving flexibility and postural alignment. It integrates muscle control, strength training, flexibility, breathing, and body awareness. It is a series of movements performed on floor mats or specifically designed exercise apparatus, that engage the body and mind, and supervised by extensively trained teachers.
Pilates was developed by physical trainer Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. The physical fitness system was created to help strengthen the human mind and body. He believed that physical and mental health were interrelated.
Pilates is based on the following principles:
Floor pilates is performed on mats and uses only a few pieces of equipment while Apparatus pilates uses various equipment specially designed for pilates such as:
Yoga was developed with the purpose of connecting the person’s consciousness with the universal consciousness using physical activity. To sum up, its aim is not only to improve the physical health, but also the emotional and spiritual health. Pilates was originally developed for physical rehabilitation. Later on, this idea extended to gain strength, flexibility, and body awareness without building bulk.
Yoga involves meditation during the exercise while Pilates is a full mat routine that can also be performed on specific Pilates equipment like the cadillac and reformer bed.
The following are some benefits that can be gained from Pilates:
Pilates is typically taught in a class environment or one on one. It is a 45 minute to one hour long session where body movements and breath control are continually monitored. It is required to wear comfortable attire to perform either floor or apparatus Pilates.