Have You Ever Tried Pilates?

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  The Pilates method is essentially a mind-body centering technique that emphasises the importance of beginning movement from a central core of stability, namely the lumbo-pelvic region. The aim is to concentrate in precision of movement, awareness of breath control and a continued flowing movement. When this is mastered the exerciser will be able to alter abnormal patterns of movement allowing it to be carried over into daily function, therefore decreasing chance of injury.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Pilates was created by Joseph Humbertus Pilates who was born in Germany in 1880. When WW1 broke out Joe was interned as a POW in Lancaster and later moved to the Isle of Man. Whilst there he trained as an orderly in the hospital and became increasingly appalled to see so many ill people in stuck in their beds. He devised a gentle exercise regime for patients, it quickly became evident that those practicing Joe’s exercises were improving faster.
• Joe believed that injuries were caused by imbalances in the body and habitual patterns of movement. He observed that when a person had a weakness or maligned area, that person overcompensated or overdeveloped another area to achieve functional movement. Thus, Joe found it critical to correct the misalignment and to re-educate the body to prevent recurrence. A belief that 50 years later is being hailed as the phenomenon of the muscle imbalance theories of physiotherapists today. Much Physiotherapeutic effort is devoted to correcting muscle imbalances in the lumbar spine and peripheral joints. Pilates is a great tool to help correct these imbalances which can lead common symptoms such as chronic lower back pain. Over Joe’s lifetime he perfected his Pilates method which is today taught in two categories, matwork and machine based work. Matwork is a combination of the original 34 pilates exercises Joe developed which consist of strength, mobility and stretching. Machine based Pilates takes the concepts of matwork into a spring loaded resistance machines designed originally by Joe himself.

  Are you now interested in trying Pilates?

  Matwork Pilates is taught at Breadsall Priory Leisure Club just check out our studio timetable and book into a class. If you are interested in one to one tuition just ask for Zoe at the leisure desk.