Know the Pilates method

Joseph H. Pilates (1880-1967) was a sickly child who did not resign himself to feeling bad and from an early age began to exercise his body despite his weaknesses. Jewish-German, during World War I developed a series of exercises to help prisoners of war confined in concentration camps to maintain strength and mobility, with excellent results, these exercises were the beginning of the method we know today.

When he emigrated to New York, he worked with the dance community, who discovered that this method could help prevent injuries and markedly improve muscle strength and flexibility. Martha Graham and George Balanchine (celebrities from the world of dance) were direct disciples of Joseph Pilates and due to the many benefits they obtained from this method they took it upon themselves to spread it after the death of J.H. Pilates.

Pilates today

The Pilates method has evolved seeking greater body functionality based on a postural and biomechanical analysis of each person, that is, using this exercise for our daily needs (work, sports, postural pain, etc).

The progression of the Pilates method incorporates modern exercises and principles of rehabilitation, eliminating contraindicated movements, emphasizing the body alignment and stabilization and in mobility.

The wide repertoire of Pilates exercises is designed to work both on the floor (mat), being able to use small devices (Fit Ball, Flex Band, Bosu, Foam Roller, Fitness Circle, etc.), as well as equipment specially designed for it (Reformer, Cadillac, Lader Barrel, Arc Barrel, Spine Corrector, Spine Suporter, etc), being an enjoyable and dynamic exercise.

Is Pilates a fad?

For some time everyone has been talking about Pilates, it is in all the media, famous people do Pilates, will it be a passing fad? It is already proving that it is not a fad. Nowadays people are becoming aware that we must look for methods of for our body, that de-stress, prevent injuries, help correct existing injuries or at least not to feel its symptoms, in addition to stylizing the figure creating a slimmer, stronger and more agile body. For all this, Pilates has established itself as an excellent exercise method, showing multiple benefits in a short time of practice.

Benefits of the Pilates Method for our body

Help develop a optimal strength, flexibility, endurance and good Postural control, without forcing joints or developing large muscle groups, that is, it creates strong muscles that are both flexible and elongated. It is perfect as a sole method of exercise or as complement for cardiovascular workr (jogging, brisk walking, cycling…), athletic training (competitive and high performance athletes) or rehabilitation.

Who can practice this exercise method?

The Pilates program is for life given the benefits that are experienced with it and is ideal for anyone, from children from approximately 8 years to seniors, practicing normally from the age of 65, patients who have needed rehabilitation, pregnant women, going through professional athletes or dancers, age or physical condition does not matter because each person works at their level and meeting their needs. This is another advantage of this exercise method, which is personalized for each studentFrom the person who can barely move to a professional athlete looking for a greater challenge for their training.

The greatest advocates are those who practice it

The greatest supporters of the Pilates Method are not the professionals or owners of the studios, but the students who have already experienced the broad benefits which this method produces.

Those who best defend the benefits of this discipline are the students who, after practicing it for a while, comment that they no longer feel pains or have experienced a notable improvement (back, knees, etc.), they can now carry out their daily life with an acceptable quality that they did not have before (traveling without frequent stops, sitting in front of the computer for several hours without discomfort, practicing sports that before they could not for fear of injury, etc)

Students with back injuriesAs are herniated discs, they have found in this discipline a vivid example of what the Pilates Method can improve their physical condition.

Practicing the Pilates Method continuously gives you:

• Increased strength and stability of the abdominal muscles, develops flat, strong and resistant abs, thus protecting the lumbar area. Pilates works from the deep muscles (transverse abdominal) looking for the work to come out from the center of the body.
• Take care of the joints and work them gently. Therefore, it is not contraindicated in older people with joint problems (osteoarthritis, arthritis ...) or people who have suffered a joint or spinal injury (herniated discs, protrusions, etc). In these cases the Pilates method reduces pain and provides more agility, although in case of injury we must know that our teacher is qualified to work with "Special Populations" to be sure that he knows how to apply this method to our needs.
• Improves posture and body alignment. Most of the people suffer joint or muscular pain due to bad posture, especially in our work (many hours sitting in front of the computer or in the car, the telephone, etc). With Pilates we improve postural control by taking care of the three natural curves of the spine.
• Increase flexibility. Developing elongated muscles while being strong and aligned, through stretching exercises, it is not necessary to have elasticity to practice this exercise, over time we will achieve strength, resistance and flexibility so that our body moves more easily.
• Improves muscular endurance. With constant and progressive work, the muscles gain more strength without making excessive efforts that can damage the muscle by overexertion. Normally we have some muscles quite developed and strong due to the use we make of them every day and others, on the contrary, quite weak. Pilates work balances all the muscles so we would say that it is great for improving general muscle tone.
• Improves circulation and reduces unnecessary stress. Combining the exercises with conscious and deep breathing, we not only achieve better oxygenation of the blood and therefore better cell regeneration, but we also prepare the muscles for exercise and avoid tensing areas that do not have to work, we have to learn to dissociate the muscles, we focus the work on one or several areas and relax the rest.
• Prevents possible injuries. By improving muscle tone, it prevents the typical injuries caused by joint impact (aerobics, step) that usually cause knee problems, or from certain sports (golf, paddle tennis, skiing ...) that work the body in an asymmetric way and can cause injuries. at the lumbar level. If we practice any sport, it prepares our muscles for the effort required.
• Improves coordination and balance. The exercises help us become aware of our movements and balance improves by working from the center of the body (abdomen).
• Increase concentration. We do not forget the mind, carrying out a conscious training, controlling the breathing and the muscles, we are acquiring a body-mind connection that we can use in our day to day, in fact Joseph Pilates called his exercise method CONTROLOGY, since it also develops and educates control and mental concentration. After a well-performed Pilates session, the client leaves with a feeling of well-being and relaxation.
• Higher self-esteem. It has been proven that the Pilates method produces important changes at the body level (greater physical resistance, reduces pain, stylizes the figure, gives greater elasticity and agility, etc.), it is also a very pleasant method in its execution, which entails great satisfaction Personally, it is well known that exercise secretes endorphins (the hormone of happiness, of great help in cases such as depression).

• It is based on a series of exercises with the aim of working body and mind together.
• Benefits: develops strength, flexibility, endurance, postural control.
• Ideal for anyone from children (from 8 years old) to the elderly, pregnant women, elite athletes and dancers.

Mª Luisa Moro Díaz Certified by the Canadian Stott Pilates School and by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the European University of Madrid,