The Powerhouse of Pilates

Answer 1

The Pilates form of exercise was developed by physical trainer Joseph H. Pilates around the time of World War 1, initially for patients who were bedridden and recovering from war wounds. After the war, Joseph and his wife, Clara, opened a dancing studio in New York and people took to Pilates, as the work-outs resulted in toned muscles and slender bodies. Pilates really took off in the 1990's when the mind body fitness movement came into being and people looked for low impact ways to get into shape. With several of the muscle groups working together and the participant focusing on every action and breath taken in and out, the participant experiences a holistic work-out as the mind and the body are united in each movement.

The Pilates method is a series of exercises, focusing on specific movements and controlled breathing, and is used by both men and women. Joseph Pilates developed his method with the focus on the center of the body or the �core� (the spine and abdominal area), referring to it as the �powerhouse� or �power engine.� He believed that if it the core is strengthened, the powerhouse would offer a solid foundation for any type of movement. A Pilates work-out session consists of slow, rhythmic movements, contracting the abdominal muscles as you exhale, then releasing them as you inhale. It is a gentle, focused and safe way of exercising, without the jarring motion that is characteristic of some other forms of exercise.

Much of the training is done on a mat placed on the floor, which can either be done through instructor-led classes in a gym or studio, or at home, following work-outs offered on DVD's. Specialized machines and equipment found at gyms can be purchased and also used in the comfort of your own home. Other equipment used in the program include weighted balls, foam rollers, rotating disks, and resistance bands.

The Pilates method of active, flowing movement increases flexibility, energy, and coordination, and increases body strength without adding any extra bulk to your body. It also reduces stress, relieves tension, improves posture and helps you feel better around yourself. Doing Pilates just two to three times a week, participants feel energized, and experience better overall health and mental fitness.