Q) Why Pilates?
A) Pilates may give your abs the workout of your life, but that is not all it targets. Pilates is a total body workout, which works on strengthening the smaller supportive muscle groups which enhance the work of the larger muscle groups developing a strong, balanced, uniformly developed body. When our muscles are weak, the body compensates, which can lead to instability and injury. If your posture is bad, your lower back and hips will adjust themselves accordingly, which means they are essentially out of place. Pilates encourages you to think about daily activities and how to move more efficiently through them. Your awareness is heightened which in turn improves your overall flexibility and strength.
Q) Who can benefit from Pilates?
A) Pilates is for everyone from young to old, sedentary to athletic. It is good for those who are strong or weak, flexible or inflexible. It is great for rehabilitation from injury and is often recommended by doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors. There are an endless number of modifications which can accommodate anyone. Pilates can be used as a complete fitness program, as well as a supplement to other methods of fitness, being a great way to cross-train. Pilates has the ability to enhance anyone's life.
Q) What is the difference between one-on-one lessons and group mat classes?
A) In a one-on-one lesson you work one-on-one with your instructor. A truly certified instructor has a trained eye, is focused solely on your form, will be able to spot unbalanced movement patterns, and address them giving constant correction. During your one-on-one lesson, you will get the opportunity to be on the different pieces of Pilates equipment. The equipment uses springs and straps to ensure proper position that will intensify the feedback into your body. The equipment also helps to guide your movement, allowing you to do more due to the support that the equipment provides. Joseph Pilates designed his equipment to facilitate the mat work. Nothing works better for your body's overall development than individual, one-on-one lessons.
In a group mat class, you will be with a larger group of people and will
receive less personal attention. Your group will be performing the same
exercises at
the same pace and there will not be any help from springs or straps, so you
will need to look to your own body to create resistance.
We do recommend taking a couple of one-on-one lessons before mat classes so
you can learn about your body and its needs. If you have the opportunity
to take
a one-on-one lesson and use the Pilates equipment, take advantage of it, but
remember to balance your one-on-one lessons with group mat classes. You can
always benefit
from doing Pilates in a group at any level. The energy and camaraderie of
a class can be very motivating and fun.
Just a note of caution, never attempt to use Pilates equipment without proper
instruction. Along with the multitude of health benefits that proper Pilates
instruction can offer, also comes safety guidelines. Don't underestimate
the necessity for proper instruction. Remember, a properly trained Pilates
instructor has spent years training long hours learning how to properly
execute and teach Pilates to the public. A good instructor has not taken
their training
lightly, nor should you.
Q) Can I start with Pilates group mat classes?
A) Yes, as long as you have a healthy, INJURY FREE body. If you do have injuries it is HIGHLY recommended your first few lessons be done one-on-one. This allows for your specific needs to be addressed and for modifications to be given to eventually matriculate you into a group class setting.
Q) What should I wear?
A) Dress comfortably so that your movements are unrestricted, but try not to wear clothing that is too loose fitting. It is important that the instructor be able to observe your body as you move. You will not need shoes.
Q) Why does Pilates equipment use springs for resistance?
A) The most defining aspect of Pilates equipment is in fact its use of springs. If you replace the springs with weights, Pilates equipment would be no different than some other equipment found in a gym. The springs also have the ability to provide resistance in one direction and assistance in the opposite direction. The springs encourage eccentric muscle activity which happens when you lengthen a muscle while actively working it. A perfect example would be the lengthening that happens in your bicep when you extend your arm after a bicep curl. This eccentric work is where Pilates gets the reputation for being an excellent way to both lengthen and strengthen the muscles.
Q) How often should I do Pilates?
A) Two to three times a week is great!! Like any other form of exercise, consistency is key. It is helpful to not let too much time pass between lessons in order to remember the exercises and incorporate the information in your body. Pilates is a constant journey. The body is always changing, and you can always go deeper, engaging just a little bit more with each exercise. With Pilates you get what you put into it.
Q) Will Pilates help me lose weight?
A) Pilates helps to strengthen, sculpt, and tone the body. It is a musculo-skeletal conditioning exercise designed to reeducate and realign the body. Regular practice can give your muscles a longer, leaner appearance and a more slender look overall. Pilates is not a cardiovascular workout. (However, in the more advanced stages your heart rate will elevate due to the quicker flow of exercises). In conjunction with a sensible diet and some cardio work, Pilates can factor into any weight loss program.
Q) Can Pilates enhance sports performance?
A) The global benefits of Pilates, such as enhanced body awareness, improved neuromuscular coordination, and greater strength and flexibility will improve sports performance no matter what your game.
Q) What is the difference between Yoga and Pilates?
A) First it would be wise to talk about the similarities. Pilates and Yoga both encourage "mindful movement", meaning you have to keep your mind totally focused on what you are doing with your body when you follow either practice. Experts say that most mind-body exercises, such as Pilates and Yoga, have three similar characteristics to achieve balance between the mind, body, and spirit. These three characteristics are mindfulness, correct form, and breathing.
A difference between these two practices is the movement. Yoga exercises are
static (there are some styles of Yoga which are exceptions), meaning you get
into a pose, hold if for several breath cycles, and then move out of the pose.
Pilates strives to develop a graceful and fluid rhythm as you perform one exercise
and move into the next. You are constantly moving.
Breathing is a huge component of both practices. They both emphasize coordinating
the breath with the movement; however, the styles of breathing are very different.
Pilates teaches us to keep our abdominals engaged while breathing into the
sides and backs of our ribcages. This is called "posterior, lateral ribcage
breathing". This type of breathing protects your spine while holding
your abdominals tight. Yoga has many styles of breathing for many purposes,
whether it is to relax, energize, or lead you into a deep meditation. In most
styles of Yoga, breathing falls into the diaphragm which expands the belly.
The other MAJOR difference with the breath is its path. Yoga uses the nose
to inhale, and exhale, while Pilates uses the nose to inhale and the mouth
to exhale. Pilates uses the inhale through the nose and the exhale out of the
mouth to create a forced exhalation which deepens the engagement of the abdominals.
Don't feel you need to pick between the two practices. The nature of
both makes it easy for them to complement one another.
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