From studios appearing locally, private instruction, and one-hour mat classes surfacing in gyms and health spas, Pilates (pronounced puh-lah-teez) is the hot new way to condition and tone your body. It is rapidly stealing the hype from Yoga as a practice that works the mind as well as the body. If holding difficult poses and sitting on your feet sounds unappealing, Pilates may be the answer for you to gain strength and flexibility. The idea is quality, not quantity and the results are long, lean, toned muscles.
The powerful regiment of fitness was named after Joseph Pilates. He was the pioneer of the practice. His story began in Germany where he grew up as a sickly child. He set off to keep himself healthy by body conditioning. In World War I, he utilized what he learned to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers in combat. This is where the concepts were born and the equipment was made that is still used today. In 1926, Pilates and his wife Clara opened a studio in New York City. The studio was geared to help people in need of rehabilitation, also offering a unique fitness program that would train athletes and benefit dancers. Injury prevention through proper conditioning is a focus for the training. With such clients as George Balanchine and Martha Graham singing the praises of Pilates, the dance world quickly caught on and now shares its enthusiasm with the all-encompassing fitness world.
“One doesn’t have to be a dancer or athlete to get remarkable results,” says Traci Niehaus, owner and certified instructor of Living Pilates Studio. “Pilates is for strengthening while aligning the spine. It can help anyone attain better muscle tone and posture.” Niehaus has been instructing clients out of her studio at 2826 Octavia St. A. in San Francisco, CA. “I work one on one with clients, and specialize in rehabilitation. My clients range in age from early twenties to eighties.” Niehaus offers equipment-based classes tailored to each individual and mat classes.
The mat class is a unique series of exercises, usually performed sitting or lying on an exercise mat. The primary focus is to isolate the core (which includes the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis region) through rhythmic breathing, concentration, accuracy, and balance while a series of exercises are performed. The core is also known as the Powerhouse; by building up the strength in these areas, it becomes easier to control the rest of the body. Each separate exercise is performed only a few times, so monotony never has a chance to set in. The series moves in a wave-like fashion from exercise to exercise, strengthening and lengthening, specific targeted muscles.
The equipment-based classes contain similar principles. The “apparatus equipment” (that is what they call it in the studio) and instructor challenge and assist in a personal and tailored setting to get the best results individually. And the results are getting some recognition. The buzz about Pilates has reached Hollywood and has been proven successful by many celebrities to keep in top shape. Charlize Theron, an avid lover of Pilates, does ninety-minute sessions up to five days a week to keep fit. Other aficionados include Madonna and Jennifer Aniston.
On whirlwind days, when it is difficult to make it to a class, there are home DVD programs that offer a challenging workout. The Winsor Pilates program is recommended to work on your core. Mari Winsor recently brought awareness through the Oprah Winfrey show and created a stir among her audience. The official website is www.winsorpilates.com. With just a mat, you can get great results quickly. I found it very useful after giving birth—to wake up those muscles and gain tone. Throughout the country, Pilates is changing the way people get fit. This established and dynamic form of exercise invigorates while you get in touch with your muscular system, and the stretching component promotes a relaxed feeling that you can look forward to. Whether you may prefer one on one attention with an instructor, or a group class, Pilates is an exhilarating way to shape up, slim down, and center your mind and body. Your body will thank you for it.
