Pilates For Weight Loss?

What about getting toned in time for a wedding, 30^th birthday, anniversary, or beach vacation? Can Pilates do that? Absoultely … with enough lead time. Pilates training includes work on several pieces of equipment that are spring-loaded and provide muscle resistance as you perform the exercises. Another great benefit is that each exercise is a whole-body movement, so several muscles are used and get toned simultaneously. As one muscle is being worked, the opposing muscle is being stretched. Challenging? You bet, but each student works at her own pace and progresses at a rate that’s comfortable for her body. With Pilates, get ready for a long, lean, toned body. -Alycea Ungaru, Owner, Real Pilates

Is Pilates Really For Me?

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding Pilates. The answer is a resounding "YES"! The Pilates Method is so tailored to the individual that there is no size, age or fitness level that cannot benefit in some way from this technique. Its main goal is to teach and promote strong and flexible minds and bodies. In this where the stresses and strains of daily living are alleviated, the mind is opened and the body is flowing with new-found vitality!

Who Can Benefit From Pilates?

Everyday activities may strengthen some muscle groups and leave others underdeveloped. The Pilates Method promotes physical harmony and balance for people of all ages and physical conditions while providing a refreshing and energizing workout. Because conditioning sessions are done one-to-one with a teacher or in closely supervised small groups, the lessons are tailored to your specific goals. Not surprisingly some of the first people to use the pilates method were dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine. For the general public and athletes alike, The Pilates Method can be your primary mode of Body Conditioning and injury prevention. Recently discovered by Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and Orthopedists. The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning program is designed to speed recovery of injuries.

Can I Do Pilates If I'm Pregnant?

The Method can be used by MOM's before, during, and after pregnancy, with permission from your Doctor. The "POWERHOUSE" - The abdomen, lower back, and buttocks - is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of the body to move freely. You learn proper breathing and body alignment while improving concentration and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy.

Who Is Doing Pilates?

Martha Graham, George Balanchine, Oprah Winfrey, The San Fransisco 49ers, Tiger Woods, New York City Ballet, Lou Gossett, Jr., Kristie Yamaguchi, Australian National Rugby Team, Jodi Foster, Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Sandra Bullock, Lisa Rinna, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, Danny Glover, The Cincinnati Bengals, Kim Kattrall, Uma Thurman, Courtney Cox Arquette, Sarah Jessica Parker, The Nets...and the list continues to grow!

 

Pilates Breathing

Pilates breathing techniques are key to improving your performance on the track and off-road. Pilates full exhalations promote better oxygenation, which increases the flow of blood to your entire system. This invigorates the muscles and the joints used in physical activities. I don’t know about you, but I’m totally sold on this one as a runner and tennis player—and I’ve experienced it firsthand again and again.

A consistent Pilates routine will integrate proper stretching and flexibility into your training program and will reduce injuries while improving performance. I recommend doing Pilates two to three times a week for the best results. Then sit back and watch your race times get shorter and shorter.

Similarities Between Yoga & Pilates

There are some similarities between Yoga and Pilates. Joseph Pilates drew upon his own practice of Yoga, among other things, to create his training system, which has often been called “yoga in motion.” Both Yoga, although devoid of equipment, and Pilates focus on developing a high degree of musculoskeletal control through focus and concentration. In fact, during Joseph Pilates’ lifetime, his method was never called “Pilates” but rather “Contrology,” which Pilates explained was “The Art of Control.”

The biggest difference between Pilates and Yoga is in the type of class you choose. A private Pilates session on Pilates equipment focuses on your specific needs and is tailored to address your strengths and weaknesses according to your instructor's assessment of your ability. A Yoga class, on the other hand, is a communal experience where you can be more independent in your practice while benefiting from the energy of a group environment.

Both Yoga and Pilates are systems of exercise intended for execution in a predetermined order. Purists argue that following order is essential to maintaining the integrity of each method and that exercises taken out of context or reconfigured may not be as effective. There is a reason that Sun Salutations follow a certain format and that the Pilates Abdominal series follows a precise order. Each method is organized to cycle through distinct movement patterns as well as particular muscle recruitment, similar to circuit training.

If you are interested in trying a fusion class before mastering the fundamentals of either Pilates or Yoga, you won’t be any worse for the wear. But if you’re hoping that you’ll get the maximum benefits of both in one nifty class, you may be disappointed since there is no perfect formula.

My advice is to stick with the original systems of Pilates and Yoga in their purest forms—we already know they work! -Alycea Ungaru, Owner, Real Pilates