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Joseph Pilates was a man ahead of his time, who through his own struggles, developed a system of movements that benefited not only the body, but the also mind. First introduced in America in 1927, Joseph Pilates taught his methods to a number of dancer/performers, who have now continued to carry on his legacy.
There are a number of different schools of Pilates, and as a result, each has a slightly different style based on what Joseph Pilates taught that person uniquely. Having been trained by BASI Pilates, My approach is from a classic stance, however BASI integrates modern, scientific advancement to maximise the benefits for students.
Pilates is a workout that not only help build strength in the body but also have a functional purpose in everyday life. The creator, Joseph Pilates, saw this programme as a way of life, rather than just standalone exercises. A good example would be to bend over and pick something up of the floor. So many people struggle to do that swiftly and efficiently, but when the muscles are strengthen to do simple tasks like this, you can do it without effort.
Pilates has a holistic approach, similar to Yoga, Martial Arts etc where mind needs to connect with body to allow you to ‘feel’ the muscles you are using. For example, I could just tell you to do a sit up and you would do it, but how you do it is important. Focusing on the right parts of your body is important so that its not just your abdominals working, but other muscles too. Of course, the more you practice Pilates, the more you learn to connect mind and body.
In terms of results, it’s a combination of increased strength and mobility. It’s slower paced than other workouts like bootcamps or boxing circuits, as you aren’t running around all over the place, but can still be just as demanding. Unlike Yoga, where there is a lot of holding poses in one position, Pilates requires you to move. When you’re in the right position, some of the simplest movements are challenging!