The Pilates Way

Pilates, or simply Pilates, is a system of physical and mental training that are designed to strengthen all the muscles, without which its volume is increased, achieving stabilize the balance of the body, stylizing the figure through repetitive series of fluid movements, and the great majority of exercises, are made in a horizontal position, sitting or kneeling thus reducing the risk of injury; In addition, this prevents the pressure of the body on the muscles and joints.

This system was created at the beginning of the twentieth century by the German Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who devised based on their knowledge of different specialities, such as gymnastics, traumatology and yoga, uniting the dynamism and the muscular strength with the mind control, breathing, and relaxation.
J. H. Pilates was a sickly child, that led him to study the human body and how it could be strengthened through the exercise. In this way, with the time arrived to be a great athlete.In 1923 he moved to the United States and amount in Manhattan, along with his wife Clara, a study to teach their method. It soon became popular with choreographers and dancers, whose injuries resulting from intensive training forced them to spend long periods of recovery and downtime.
Pilates exercises are suitable for people of all types and ages, because by its nature, exercises are not aggressive and do not require a specific physical preparation is a discipline which is not aerobic and is based on the toning of the muscles of the body, therefore it is not an exercise that is practiced to lose weight, if not, rather for the improvement of physical form and the general welfare of the person who practice. Its intensity can be adapted to the possibilities of each person.
The objective of which we spoke of before is based on the union of body and mind, something that is not all a philosophy, but rather pure logic, because the body must be in harmony with the mind and is then arises when the well-being “healthy mind in healthy body”. sometimes has been reached to compare to the Pilates, yoga, but it is very important to make it clear that while Yoga is a spiritual philosophy, Pilates does not have spiritual connotations, nor does it have to do with meditation or with esoteric currents. Rather, the aim is for the Pilates body and mind relax and work seamlessly by releasing the stress accumulated on a daily basis through physical exercises.
Principles of the Pilates method:

– Center for energy or “Mansion of Power”: Joseph Hubertus Pilates was called “Mansion of Power” to the muscles of the waist and pelvis because it felt that the whole movement began in the center and walked around in body outwards. By strengthening this basis is achieved significantly improve the shape and physical posture.

– Concentration: The exercises must be performed with great attention to the movements, it is very important make them correctly because in this discipline are premium quality before quantity.

– Control – to perform the movements correctly, we will need in addition to concentration control. We must ensure that with each exercise will work the areas indicated without taking advantage of the inertia of our own body.

– Precision: The Method Pilates also gives great importance to the precision of the time performing the exercises if we the exercises accurately achieve working your body with more intensity and reduce the risk of injury.

– Breathing: Learn to breathe correctly during the exercises is essential. Pilates gives great importance to the breathing, according to him, we have to inspire and expire deeply to encourage the working capacity and the lung.

– Fluidity: During the meeting, the exercises must be chained with fluidity. This aspect is working and is enhanced with the continued practice as little by little the routines will be learning and perfecting.

J. Pilates created more than 300 different exercises (with its variants) with the majority of them practiced in a horizontal position, lying on the floor also is frequently practice or with the aid of a set of equipment designed especially for this method. Among them was the Universal Confirm, a platform with wheels that slides from one side to another and springs which allow you to vary the resistance with this appliance is working the legs, abdomen, shoulders and spine.

The session of Pilates last for approximately one hour and are usually guided by experienced a monitor that is in charge of small groups, or individual classes and after the meeting with a series of dynamic exercises with repetitions intended to work the different muscle groups. The classes begin and end with stretching to prepare first and then relax the body.

Today, there are many qualified centers that offer this discipline as another of the options to choose from within its offer of Fitness however, there are also specialized centers that can be prohibitively expensive due to the high demand and the limited size of the groups. precisely due to this privatization of the centers Pilates, fitness gyms also offer Pilates classes on mattress as a good alternative

BENEFITS

– The practice of continuously, it makes the muscle tone will improve, especially in the areas: abdominal, lower back and buttocks.
– Gains better posture and balance of the body and relieve lower back pain.
– The body becomes more sensitive, agile and coordinated.
– Enhances the ability of concentration and reduces the level of stress and anxiety.
– An excellent exercise for the treatment of osteoporosis because it stimulates the formation of bone mass and reduces the risk of fractures.
– Is a sport very indicated for people who need to perform rehabilitation to overcome the problems of mobility caused by an accident.
– The intensity with which you are working the pelvic floor as a center of force serves to strengthen the area, and to prevent and improve disorders such as urinary incontinence.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Results are achieved with constancy. Is the recommended minimum three sessions per week, you should notice a change in little time.

As in all physical exercise is important to drink liquids before, during and after the meeting, if possible, with any drink that contribution mineral salts to replace what is lost during exercise.
Also, as with all physical exercise, care should be taken to ensure the power and the contributions of protein for your muscles.