pilates

The Pilates Method is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. Joseph Pilates called the method ''The Art of Contrology'', which refers to the way the method encourages the use of the mind to ''control'' the muscles. It is an exercise program that focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of neutral alignment of the spine and strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this alignment, which are important to help alleviate and prevent back pain. During World War I, Joseph Pilates, being of GermanyGerman nationality, was Internmentinterned in England, where he trained police officers since 1912. He was investigating ways that he and other 'enemy aliens' could rehabilitate themselves while bed-ridden. Thus the creation of a series of movements that could be done in this position was created. The Pilates Cadilac is based off an old hospital bed.Instead of performing many repetitions of each exercise, Pilates preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring control and form. He designed more than 500 specific exercises. The most frequent form, called "matwork," involves a series of Calisthenicscalisthenic motions performed without weight or apparatus on a padded mat. He believed that mental health and physical health were essential to one another. Pilates created what is claimed to be a method of total body conditioning that emphasizes proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement (the Pilates Principles) that results in increased flexibility, strength, muscle tone, body awareness, energy, and improved mental concentration. Joseph Pilates also designed five major pieces of unique exercise equipment that he claimed should be used for best results. Although the two components are often taught separately now, the method was always meant to combine both matwork and equipment exercises. A recent development is gravity Pilates. In all forms, the "powerhouse" (abdomen, lower back, and buttocks) is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of the body to move freely. Pilates practitioners use their own bodies as "weights" in training, to build strength, and flexibility this is targeted without a focus on high-powered cardiovascular exercise. Today, polestareducation.com - Pilates is used in the rehabilitation process by many physical therapists. Pilates is an old approach to movement re-education that is becoming popular in the field of fitness and rehabilitation. The Pilates environment can be used as an assistive environment that optimizes the acquisition of movement with a reduction of destructive forces and can be used to progress individuals through more challenging movements that represent their day-to-day activities. Research and theories in motor learning, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal physiology help support the phenomena experienced by many Pilates-based practitioners; however, the Pilates-based approach needs to be subjected to the rigors of research to better evaluate its efficacy in the field of rehabilitation.In recent years, many Pilates students have seen important parallels with the Alexander Technique, and the discoveries of F. Matthias Alexander. It has been used to train dancers in flexibility and physical strength. The first official Pilates Studio was opened in New York in 1926. In recent years it has become a popular fitness modality, with many stars attributing their successful weight loss and increased muscle tone to Pilates.

Preserving Pilates Principles - As the technique has grown in popularity through the 1990s, many fitness trainers have begun teaching Pilates without any form of certification or formal training in the technique. Obtaining certification can be confusing, as there are numerous organizations who offer certification in exchange for a fee or at the end of a course they offer. Some practitioners believe the explosion in popularity has thus led to a dilution of the technique as taught by Joseph Pilates and fear it can cause poor results or injury.An excellent source for information on the Pilates method is the pilatesmethodalliance.org - Pilates Method Alliance. This international, not-for-profit organization focuses on preserving the legacy of Joseph H. and Clara Pilates. It is an inclusive organization that embraces the many disciples of Joseph Pilates, who have taken his work and spread it with their own take on it, while adhering to the original Pilates principles. It offers details on the method, news, and annual conference information, as well as serving as a marketing channel for the members listed in the international member database.

External links -

polestareducation.com - Pilates and the rehabilitation process

pilatesandalexander.com - Pilates and Alexander Information on these two somatic pioneers

A riderpilates.com - longer description of theory behind Pilates and its unique equipment

dolfzine.com - A skeptical !view.Category:Exercisede:Pilat esfi:Pilatespl:Pilatespt:Pilat essv:Pilates

Il Metodo Pilates
Informazioni sul metodo Pilates, gli insegnanti, gli attrezzi, gli esercizi e gli studi.
http://www.pilateslatina.it/

efi Sports Medicine - Total Gym
Online health equipment and home fitness equipment manufacturer directory to purchase home fitness and commercial fitness equipment, pilates equipment and Total Gym infomercial fitness equipment.
http://www.efisportsmedicine.com/

pilates-stuttgart
pilates exercises for beauty and healthy , call: 0049(0)711/ 674 35 80; matwork for groups; single and double lessons on the reformer (and other apparature) for all levels; come to enjoy the pilates flute
http://www.pilates-stuttgart.de/

mediFIT-shop.com: Meditation, Yoga, Wellness - Yogamatten, Yogamatte...
The shipment of yoga mats and meditation mats made from new wool with a fleecy texture and handcrafted meditation stools. The shop offers high quality meditation cushions, as well as accessories for Yoga and meditation and Aloe Vera products from ALOVA. Furthermore you can also find selected and up-to-date Books, CDs and DVDs/Videos regarding these subjects.
http://www.medifit-shop.com/

Laughing Bodies Yoga & Pilates
Offering Yoga and Pilates in 2 beautiful, hard wood floors - natural sunlight studio!
http://www.laughingbodies.com/

Miami Arnis Group
Miami, Florida's premier Arnis and related martial arts training group
http://www.miamiarnisgroup.com/

BREATHE YOGA AND PILATES
BREATHE is the premier source for London's best yoga and Pilates teachers, offering private instruction for individuals and small groups in homes and offices all over London. There is no limit on class size and teachers are available seven days a week.
http://www.breatheonline.com/

Oslo Pilates Center
Oslo Pilates Center provide teacher training for pilates instructors and reformer and mat classes for the public. For more information about Oslo Pilates Center, please call +47 980 86 901.
http://www.oslopilates.no

Studioannamora
The best trainers in town. Pilates,Ballet,Gyrokinesis, Feldenkrais, Yoga,and more. Fokke Simonszstr.45 Amsterdam +31 20 320 33 38
http://www.studioannamora.com/

pim.se
Hypnos - Självhypnos-cd, yoga- och qigongprogram. Pilates. Webshop och personlig utveckling hos pim.se.
http://www.pim.se/

Modern Pilates
Modern Pilates is a progressive trainimg organisation that brings the works of Joseph Pilates into the 21st Century. Based in the UK we offer Matwork Pilates, One to One Personal Training Pilates, Pilates and Small equiptment, Pilate & pregnancy, Pilates on the Ball, Pilates and special condition. Our courses are run by fully qualified Pilates teachers who are also educationalist and work in the industry. We also have fully qualified physiotherapists working with us. Visit www.modernpilates.co.ok or call 01943 879816
http://modernpilates.co.uk/

Articles for Meditation, Yoga and Shiatsu
We produce and sell Meditation,-Yoga and Shiatsu related articles since more then 20 years. We are whole and retail sellers. Some of our items are; Zafu, meditation cushion, zabuton, yoga mat, sticky mat, yoga props, Shiatsu futon Yoga and Pilates Bolster..
http://www.bodhi-meditation.com/

Pilates Studio
Pilates in New York. Teacher certification. Books and videos are now available.
http://www.pilates-studio.com/

Balanced Body
Since 1976, Balanced Body has built fine custom Pilates equipment for the worlds most respected Pilates professionals.
http://www.pilates.com

Stott Pilates
For Pilates videos, manuals, quality equipment, training & certification in Toronto Canada.
http://www.stottpilates.com/

The Pilates Institute of Australasia
Pilates Method in Australia. Books and videos are now available.
http://www.pilates.net/

Pilates Body Works
Pilates in Singapore.
http://www.pilates.com.sg/

Pilates Foundation
An organisation specialising in teaching Pilates to the public and to students wanting to train as Pilates teachers in the UK.
http://www.pilatesfoundation.com/

Amazon.com
Departments include books, music, videos, home and garden, electronics, and toys.
http://www.amazon.com/