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Pilates history
The Pilates method was created in the 1910s and continued to evolve until the 1960s by Joseph H. Pilates. He had worked as a boxer and had also engaged in various forms of exercise. He liked to observe the movements of animals in nature, which influenced his method, which he named Contrology. During this period, he created a series of exercises on the floor and, after many experiments and building more than 15 machines, he ended up using the reformer, cadillac, wunda chair, baby chair, high chair, big barrel, small barrel, spine corrector, guillotine, foot corrector, toe corrector, neck stretcher, breath-a-cizer, etc. Along with his wife Clara, he taught the system that included more than 500 exercises. His students were dancers, boxers, singers, doctors, etc.
J.P. worked individually, so the reason he made so many devices was that each one addressed separate needs and weaknesses of each body. Although many exercises are performed on all the apparatus, each one changes the level of difficulty and activates different parts of the body.
So, what exactly is Pilates?
Pilates is not just exercise or rehabilitation. it is a corrective system that initially aims at exploring and then transforming our body. The system has a small number of repetitions (3-10) because each movement requires coordination of body and mind and the application of 6 basic principles:
Center: J.P. called it the "powerhouse," and it's not just our abdomen. It is the imaginary box from one shoulder to the other and from one hip to the other, and includes the neck, shoulder blades, abdomen, back muscles, and glutes. The central line provides stabilization to facilitate limb movements.
Concentration: To perform the exercises correctly, the mind must be stimulated so that each movement is made with intuition, intelligence, memory, imagination.
Control: Our movements should not be determined by gravity or the patterns we have acquired over the years.
Precision: Each exercise has a specific goal, structure, and dynamics.
Breathing: Breathing has a rhythm and technique that play a crucial role, not only in exercise but also in our daily lives.
Flow: One exercise follows another in an intelligent sequence, as the previous one prepares the body for the next. Additionally, the transition is performed in the form of exercise, with economy of movement, to achieve maximum flow.
Why should people do pilates?
Pilates is a system that strengthens the body and enhances daily functional movements. This method trains individuals in more efficient movement patterns, increasing ease in daily activities. The exercises, performed on mat and pilates equipment, focus on reinforcing core muscles like the abdominals, back, and glutes, while simultaneously improving flexibility, endurance, and posture. Pilates is not only transformative for athletes and dancers but also beneficial for anyone committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It systematically develops the body, corrects postures, revitalizes physical energy, stimulates the mind, and uplifts the spirit, staying true to the foundational principles laid down by Joseph Pilates.
By practicing Pilates, all muscles gradually awaken, and we learn to use them correctly and with control, without straining the joints. We gain strength, flexibility, and increased mobility in the spinal column. We improve our perception of how we move our body, eliminating incorrect movement patterns, and at the same time, the overall posture of the body changes significantly.
