Pilates is a method of remaining fit. It was developed by Joseph Pilates almost a hundred years ago. Since then over 10 million people around the world practice Pilates regularly as part of their physical fitness regime. Today, there are about fifteen thousand instructors in the US alone.
When Joseph Pilates developed this system, he named it Contrology because according to him this method can be used to achieve mastery over the body through the mind. This method focuses on muscles that help control posture and keep the body balanced by providing support to the spine. Through breathe awareness and correct spine posture, the method helped to strengthen the critical muscles of the body.
Initially, this method of physical fitness was targeted towards World War I veterans who found it difficult to resume daily life due to the injuries and the traumas they had suffered during the war. They required physical as well as mental rehabilitation. Pilates believed that both physical and mental health was necessary to help in their rehabilitation.
The Pilates Method necessitates some control and certain precision in order to stretch muscles and stabilize the body. If the Pilates Principles are followed then the entire body gets a complete workout. The body is properly aligned, concentration improves, corrects breathing and lost control and precision of body movement is regained. The Pilates Principles revolve round the same principles as that of yoga i.e. concentration, centring, control, breathing, precision and flowing. In other words, mind takes control over matter in order to improve overall health.
When the mind controls the body then a fusion is created resulting in a graceful and precise body movement. If one’s mind is applied to the body then a person can make the most of his or her strengths. They can overcome weaknesses and rectify all the imbalances in the body. Absence of imbalances in the body results in absence of diseases, which ultimately leads to a healthy mind and body. Paying attention to body movement while concentrating on breathe is critical to achieving a good control over the mind and body.
According to Pilates, correct breathing improves circulation which leads to removal of impurities from the body. This results in an increase in the amount of oxygen absorbed in the body. Pilates refers to the large muscle groups of the body like the abdomen, back, hips and buttocks as the “powerhouse”. Energy for Pilates’ exercises flows outwards from this powerhouse to the extremities of the body. This allows better control and more strength to the whole body according to Pilates.
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