A technique that utilizes the power of your body…
Pilates is a proven technique that brings about permanent changes. The main principle of the pilates technique is to recognize that there is one strong, core area that controls the rest of the body.
Through the synchronizing of thought and action these gentle, yet challenging exercises work in a controlled, progressive and intelligent way to improve posture-alignment, balance, mobility, strength, co-ordination and flexibility.
By strengthening muscles that are weak and lengthening muscles that are short any imbalance in the body is corrected.
One develops a level of body awareness which is unique to pilates
Neutral spine is a fundamental part of the technique as now taught. 80% of people will suffer from debilitating spine pain at some time in their lives. Most of these episodes will resolve spontaneously with or without medical intervention however, there is a high rate of recurrence. To hasten recovery and prevent recurrence, treatment must include an effective reduction in the forces which irritate injured spinal elements and hasten spinal degeneration. This can be achieved by the effective application of neutral spine stabilization concepts in functional activities.
With correct motivation and training, students become skilled at placing their lumbar spine in a single position when there are significant forces on the spine.
e.g. prolonged positioning (sitting, standing, lying)
major movements of the body (getting out of bed, getting down and up from the floor)
movements requiring force (lifting, reaching, pushing)
The amount of muscular effort needed to maintain neutral depends upon the amount of force acting on the spine. In order for neutral positioning in daily activities to be practical and efficient one must learn to use only the amount of muscular effort needed in a given situation.
Once a student begins to apply stabilization techniques effectively, functional improvements will often begin to be noticed within days to weeks e.g. the intensity of pain associated with a particular activity is lessened or it is possible to walk 20 minutes longer before the back starts to hurt.
These changes are sometimes dramatic and sometimes subtle but very motivating
The pilates exercises use smooth, consistent and co-ordinated movements to train the deep abdominal muscles, those closest to the spine.
This inner unit consists of:
transverse abdominus
Muscles of the pelvic floor
Lumbar multifidis
Internal and external obliques
Diaghragm
The exercises progressively challenge the student’s ability to maintain neutral spine position against forces that reproduce the flexion, extension, rotation and side bending forces that are encountered in daily activities e.g. driving, housework, gardening, tennis, golf.
With the ability to isolate and use only the desired muscles and using the breathing technique, taught with the exercises, muscular tension is reduced and muscular strength is gained, energizing the body and calming the mind.
Pilates forces one to focus inward for the duration of the session by concentrating on the detail, form and execution of each exercise.
Pilates can also be a mental and emotional respite for those suffering from depression, anxiety and everyday stress.
Pilates is a mind-body exercise form which puts you back in touch with your body by creating body awareness and a healthy self-image that is positive and empowering.
