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Pilates is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.
The exercises were created during the First World War with the intention of improving the rehabilitation program for casualties.
During this period, Pilates was designed to aid injured soldiers to regain their health by strengthening, stretching, and stabilising key muscles.
Pilates preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring control and technique over increased repetition.
He believed that mental and physical health were essential to one another, creating what is a method of total body conditioning.
Pilates uses correct alignment, centring, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement to establish an optimal working body from the inside out.
Pilates classes build strength, flexibility and lean muscle tone with an emphasis on lengthening the body and aligning the spine, rather than on bulking and shortening the muscles.
Pilates has a focus on the core which can basically be thought of as the ‘powerhouse’ of your body.
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Your core is the area between your ribs and the bottom of the pelvis and encompasses all the muscles within this area.
Pilates is popular not only in the field of fitness, but also in rehabilitation.
Pilates experts advise that people with rehabilitative needs seek only accredited instructors such as those who are members of the Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA) to ensure they are in safe hands.
If you have been thinking about joining a class you can enjoy the benefits whether you felt you needed it or not.
No matter what your fitness background is, an experienced practitioner can help you improve your posture, focus on bodily alignment, and get a core workout.
Whether you're on the mat or machine, the potential benefits can be enormous. Several studies have reported improvements in areas such as abdominal endurance, flexibility and balance.
Often the use of machines, such as the Reformer are thought of as “advanced” Pilates, but in fact is the opposite, the machines are designed to support the body to enable movements that are not possible on the mat due to gravity or an inability to get onto or off the floor.
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