Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates and became recognised as early as the 1920s and has grown from strength to strength ever since. Pilates is an exercise aimed at improving core strength while maintaining flexibility. Pilates targets deep postural muscles of the body using set exercises and combining breathing patten techniques.

 

Pilates helps improve body awareness and relaxation while challenging the body to develop strength and endurance. Regular Pilates will improve posture, can reduce pain, can increase strength  and improve overall flexibility.

Principles of Pilates

Pilates exercises are based on ideas which are known as basic principles. Pilates focuses on:

• Breathing 
• Control 
• Precision 
• Routine 
• Concentration 
• Centring 
• Flow

Breathing

Exhaling while completing the hardest part of the exercise helps to create the greatest support for the spine thus allowing harder exercises to be completed.

Concentration

Pilates requires focus on the body position during the various exercises to help maintain correct alignment.

Control

The Pilates exercises are completed with the muscles working against gravity. Your Pilates physiotherapist will teach you to be in control of your body.


Centring

The centre is the focal point of Pilates. Your Pilates physiotherapist refer to the group of muscles in the core of the as the "powerhouse". All movement in Pilates should begin from the powerhouse or core.

Precision

The focus in Pilates is on doing one precise movement, rather than incorrect ones, quality over quantity. The goal is for this precision to eventually become almost normal, and carry over into everyday life.
Flow

Pilates exercises are intended to flow into one another in order to build strength and conditioning once precision has been achieved.

Routine

Repetition leads to greater benefits and increased skill.