What is Pilates?
Pilates was created and developed by Joseph Pilates (born in 1880 near Dusseldorf). Joe suffered from asthma, rheumatic fever and rickets as a child, but he overcame his physical limitations with exercise. He devoted himself to training and became adept at many sports.
During his internment during the First World War, Joe developed his ideas and trained other internees in his form of exercise. He also adapted hospital beds with springs and pulleys so he could help bedridden patients exercise and these original ideas led to some of the later design of Pilates equipment (e.g. The Reformer).
Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles from the inside out by re-educating the brain in how it controls the muscles, while improving postural alignment and flexibility. Practicing Pilates regularly, benefits the muscles, circulatory system, nervous system, skeletal system and the mind. Not only does it develop core strength, ease back pain and correct postural issues, Pilates increases mobility, strength, flexibility and energy. Concentration and focus increase and stress and anxiety can reduce. Overall Pilates can help improve well-being.
As Pilates is low impact, gentle and non-strenuous, it is a good form of exercise to do as we get older and has great long-term health benefits. It is particularly good for bone-density, stability and mobility.