Pilates — What is it
Pilates — What is it?
It’s one of many different methods of exercise. It gets its name from its founder, Joseph H. Pilates.
Pilates is a body conditioning method:
1. It seeks to build strength, coordination, flexibility and endurance without adding any muscle bulk.
2. It also helps increase the circulation which gets the blood flowing to every cell of your body.
3. Additionally, it helps to sculpt the body as well as to strengthen the body’s -powerhouse- or -core-.
People who faithfully do Pilates feel that they’re less prone to injury, have better posture and experience improved overall wellness.
Joseph Pilates was born in Germany. He was especially frail as a child as he had asthma along with other childhood conditions. In order to develop his body and grow stronger, he involved himself in a variety of sports. With hard work and commitment he became an accomplished athlete.
He served as a nurse during the First World War in Great Britain. It was here that he designed exercise methods and also exercise equipment for soldiers and other immobilized patients.
Pilates developed a series of exercises that used a mat. These exercises were based upon different exercise methods from all over the world including the mind-body formats of yoga and Chinese martial arts. He majored on exercises which focused on the torso.
Joseph Pilates believed that our mental and physical health are all intertwined. His exercise program was designed
around principles that support his philosophy. These principles include concentration, control, breathing, flowing movements, and precision.
There are two basic ways to exercise doing Pilates:
1. You can focus on mat exercises, or
2. You can use a variety of machines.
Both methods strengthen and tone the body using the principle of resistance.
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