Pilates
Pilates is an exercise philosophy that positively impacts your whole body and mind. It was developed in the 20th Century by Joseph Pilates as an exercise method that balances movement with strengthening, stretching and stabilising. The exercises are performed with a precision and concentration which connects the body with the mind.
For many of us, in everyday life we have or can build up muscle imbalances and poor posture through the way we move, sit or through injuries. Whilst Pilates is not physiotherapy, it can help us balance out our muscles and soft tissues over time to counteract imbalances through a sequence of controlled but flowing movements combined with specific breathing. This in turn can lead to improved posture and positively improve your general wellbeing.
Pilates is suitable for everyone. I use a combination of classical mat and apparatus exercises tailored to your individual needs. Your safety is very important to me and I continue my education with qualified professionals specially focusing on the latest biomechanics. In this respect, I am especially grateful to Shari Berkowitz, creator of The Vertical Workshop.
“For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.”
History
Pilates, or “Contrology” as it was named by Joseph Pilates is “the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”.
The 34 mat exercises described in his book “Return to Life” in 1945 are the foundation on which classical pilates remains built today.
In order to help develop strength, stretch, length, alignment and core strength, Joseph Pilates invented the apparatus that is used in classical Pilates today.
Joseph Pilates was born in 1883 in Germany and started early on developing his exercise approach and regime. After emigrating to New York in the 1920s, he opened his studio together with his wife Clara and taught his students there until the 1960s.
“Achieve a joyous, self-forgetful involvement through concentration.”