Benefits of the Pilates Method

http://www.pilates-studio.com/docs/method/methbene.htm

The Pilates Method of body conditioning promotes physical harmony and balance for people of all ages and physical conditions while providing a refreshing and energizing workout.

Because conditioning sessions are done one-to-one with a certified teacher or in closely supervised small groups, each session is tailored to your specific needs.

Regardless of your current level of fitness - from sedentary office worker to fitness enthusiast - the Pilates Method can be your primary mode of body conditioning and injury prevention.

Recently discovered by physical therapists, chiropractors and orthopedists, The Pilates Method of body conditioning can also be integrated into rehabilitative exercise and physical therapy programs designed to speed recovery of soft tissue injuries.

The Pilates Method can be safely used by pregnant women to learn proper breathing and body alignment, improve concentration, and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy.

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* toned body

* alignment

* balance

* strength

* flexibility

* stretch

* control

* good posture

* teaches efficient body use

* rehabilitation of injuries

* decreases muscle tension & pain

* healthy joints & spine

* great workout for abdominals (target area)

* weight loss

* increased energy levels

* general sense of well being

* immediate results:

After a Pilates workout, individuals instantly feel the difference in their abs, backs and legs

Pilates is gentle and very effective. Pilates is an ideal workout for athletes recovering from injury, older people who may not have the capacity to do strenuous exercise, or pregnant women. Generally, Pilates is a great supplement to any exercise routine.

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The training is progressive:

• You learn to access your deep pelvic, abdominal and spinal muscles to build a strong base of support at your core.

• You learn to deepen and enlarge your breathing.

• From this core support, you begin to exercise all parts of the body through their full range of motion and in all planes of movement.

• The muscular effort is balanced creating stability across the joints.

• Unlike exercise programs that isolate individual muscles to strengthen them, Pilates exercises strengthen the body as a coordinated whole.

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What people wanted was an exercise program that made their body not only look good, but feel good; an exercise program that was not defined by endless repetition and a "no pain no gain" mentality; an exercise program that was interesting and challenging to the mind and the body.

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* demands concentration and precision

* re-educates muscle patterning (movement & muscular training)

* uses muslces that are out of use

Certain muscle groups end up being overworked while other muscle groups don't work at all. Our bodies become inefficient and we require more energy to do each task. This often results in overuse injuries in muscles and joints - the spine, shoulders, hips and knees.

Overworked muscles are taught to release and stretch. Muscular strain is greatly eliminated, particularly in the neck and shoulders, as your core abdominal and back muscles get stronger.

You're breathing and posture improves. Your body begins to feel more limber. You have more energy. As Pilates training wakes up your muscles, it also wakes up your mind. You become more aware of your movement patterns enabling you to release unnecessary tension in all your activities.

Because it is founded in movement re-education, Pilates training can be applied to a broad spectrum of individuals. Many people enjoy Pilates as a means of improving their general fitness level. Athletes and dancers employ the technique to enhance athletic performance.

It is an excellent tool for injury rehabilitation and relief of back, neck, and shoulder pain.

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Pilates has also demonstrated beneficial effects in the treatment for chronic disorders such as:

* Fybromyalgia

* Multiple Sclerosis

* Arthritis

* Thyroid disease

* Heart disease

* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

* Lupus

* Parkinson's disease

* Huntington's disease

* depression

* panic/anxiety disorders

etc.

Pilates & yoga exercises and breathing relieve the symptoms of these diseases.

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There are different ways to get started with Pilates training. The best way is to begin with one on one instruction. Everybody is unique and each person will have different areas of focus. Private instruction ensures you get the most from your training. Your instructor will develop a personalized program that incorporates Mat and Machine work with exercises modified for your specific needs.

An alternative to private instruction is group Mat classes. Some studios and health clubs also offer group classes on the machines.

When joining a group class, be sure it is appropriate to your level of fitness and capability. Because of its broad range of application, it is important to find a Pilates instructor whose classes are designed for your goals. A Pilates class designed for fitness may not be appropriate for a person dealing with chronic joint pain. Likewise, a class designed for back and shoulder care may not be appropriate for elite athletic enhancement.

However you choose to get started, be sure to find a highly trained, certified instructor.

Regardless of your level of fitness, it is necessary to begin at a fundamental level. Mastering the fundamentals of breathing, joint manipulation and muscular recruitment is necessary to progress and realize the full benefits of Pilates training. It takes time to undo years of habits and imprint the new information into your body. The benefits of Pilates are great, but will only be achieved if learned and performed properly and consistently.

Joseph Pilates defined physical fitness as "The attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure." Of his method he pronounced, "In ten sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you will have a whole new body."

So, next time you're stuck in traffic and you notice the tension in your shoulders creeping up to your ears ask yourself this: "If the Pilates Method has helped people rehabilitate injuries and deal with things like arthritis, if it has aided professional athletes or even just helped a recreational golfer enjoy his game more, if it has allowed people who have always hated exercises to get fit and have fun, could it be the solution to this nagging pain in my neck?"

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