PHILOSOPHY

Pilates is based on the interplay of body and soul; of breathing, strength and movement. It is a method of exercise which strengthens the muscles and improves posture, freeing up the joints and allowing for full mobility in the spine. Practicing pilates creates a heightened sense of physical awareness and reduces stress. The emphasis lies not in the number of repetitions of a given exercise, but rather on the control, precision and concentration in its execution.


The deep abdominal and back musculature as well as the pelvic floor are strengthened as they are engaged. As such, the vertebral discs are better supplied with nutrients and relieved of pressure. The spine is lengthened and mobilized, achieving maximum mobility in its natural form. The shoulder girdle is relaxed over time as posture improves, preventing or relieving pain. You will gain a greater quality of life and develop a strong presence through improved posture. Pilates is a highly effective training programme, regardless of age and physical capacity.

PREREQUISITES

Pilates is suited for young and old and offers beginners as well as athletes a diverse form of training. Pilates is the perfect complementary exercise for asymmetrical sports such as golf, riding or endurance sports, the perfect support for back pain and osteoporosis and offers excellent training for the pelvic floor.

Post rehabilitation:
After completion of rehabilitation training or physiotherapy, Pilates is the optimal way to get your body back into balance. In consultation with your physiotherapist we can continue your recovery after the completed treatment.

Complementary exercise for athletes:
Pilates can help athletes to correct muscular imbalances, prevent injuries and to train muscle chains and muscle recruitment so as to address the requirements of your specific sport.

History

Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born on December 9, 1883. As a child of very fragile physical constitution he began to intensively occupy himself with different types of sport, including Tai Chi, kickboxing, fencing, athletics and swimming.

Notably, Pilates developed his technique, which he termed “contrology”, as it was inspired by these different sports, when he was interned in a British prisoner of war camp during the second world war. In the 1920s he began applying his method to train the German police. Pilates emigrated to the U.S. around 1930 after the Nazis sought him out to train the SS. He opened his first studio in New York City and quickly attracted the interest of athletes, dancers and actors.

Joseph H. Pilates had a highly individual and creative way of working. For every client he created a personalized training program and even developed new exercises for the individual client. When he died in 1968, he and his studio in New York had become an institution.

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FAQ

What clothing should I wear to my Pilates class?

Wear light and comfortable clothing that does not restrain your movement and in which you feel at ease. Additionally, wear socks.

Am I too old for pilates?

Never! Pilates can be taken up at any age. Especially in a personal training setting we can focus on individual needs and preconditions. Pilates is for everyone, independent of age, gender and level of physical fitness. To cite Joseph Pilates: “You are only as young as your spine is flexible.”

What is the duration of each class?

Each class lasts around 60 minutes.

How many times a week should I practice Pilates?

This depends entirely on your personal capacities and goals. To start out, it makes sense to train two times per week under supervision of a qualified instructor. Our goal is to teach you pilates “from scratch”, so that you can come to practice the exercises at home and to integrate Pilates into your daily life.

When is the best time to train?

You can practice Pilates at any time of the day: in the morning, to get the circulation going, or in the evenings, to relax and wind down from the day. Adapt the training to your needs - the most important thing is to keep moving! However, you should not train after a heavy meal, when suffering from acute pain or a heavy infection.

How long until I begin to see effects?

Here, the likely most-cited Joseph Pilates quote: “In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you'll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body". Despite this, pilates alone is not enough for optimal physical health - see question directly below.

Its just doing pilates enough?

No. For the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system, you should additionally carry out endurance training.

Can I practice Pilates during my pregnancy?

Yes. While all exercises in the prone position (lying on your belly) are problematic and the supine (lying on your back) position should not be taken too long either, there are exercises that are well suited for pregnant women, when instructed by an experienced trainer. If you did Pilates before your pregnancy, you can continue during your pregnancy as well. The decision whether to practice pilates or not should only be taken on an individual basis. After delivery, Pilates training helps to get the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles back into shape.

Is there a difference between Pilates studios and other gyms that offer Pilates classes?

In a gym it is often loud and hectic, in Pilates studios it is calm and personal. In a gym people often wear the newest outfits, the most stylish trainers, and are very focused on the external. For Pilates, one wears the clothing in one feels comfortable, and socks. The focus is turned within. You move for yourself, not for the mirror. Gyms are geared towards offering the latest trends in order to be competitive. This means that instructors are often trained in short workshops, and knowledge remains superficial. Pilates is also taught in many gyms, but class sizes are often not limited, creating large groups in which qualified training is impossible. In many cases, Pilates is watered down into just another “Legs, Bums and Tums” class.

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