New To Breathe Pilates?

Pilates is a mind­body exercise system developed in the 1900s by Joseph Pilates, a renowned physical trainer. It is a system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, posture, and enhance mental awareness.

Incorporating the 5 basic principles of Pilates: Breathe, Pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and stabilization, cervical and neck placement, he created a series of exercises across a wide range of equipment, using system of cables and trolleys, to be used for fitness and rehabilitation. Pilates provides immense benefits such as increasing strength, flexibility and control of the body. It also builds endurance and coordination in the legs, abdominals, arms and back.

Pilates equipment comprises of the mat, reformer, cadillac, chair and barrels as well as small props. With its system of pulleys and springs, handles and straps, the apparatus can provide either resistance or support, depending on your needs. The same exercises done on different apparatus will benefit different body types and work different muscle groups.

Pilates was designed initially to help people recover from injuries. While many people do use it after an injury, doing pilates regularly will also help to prevent injuries. It also improves Spinal Mobility, Flexibility, Muscular Endurance, Posture, Body Awareness, Lower Back Pain, Bone Density, Core Strength.

As you correct your alignment or posture, you’ll find you put less pressure on sensitive joints such as knees and hips, for example. You’re also less likely to suffer a strain or injury. With a straighter back, a tighter tummy and better overall muscle tone, you’ll look leaner and taller. What’s more, because pilates doesn’t focus on just one part of your body, you’ll see changes all over.

Rather than utilising static, ie unmoving, stretches, pilates focuses on movements while stretching. This means the muscles are warm as you stretch, allowing you to stretch farther with less pain. The more flexible you are, the less muscle tension you’ll endure. You’ll also enjoy better blood circulation as the blood can flow more freely around a body that isn’t stiff or stuck in one position most of the time.

Pain and bad posture can add to your stress levels and not only does pilates help alleviate those problems, it also works to calm you. As Pilates focuses on breathing, you become mindful of your breath, of your body and muscles. You’ll enjoy better sleep once you start doing regular pilates, partly because it is calming but also because your body isn’t full of physical or psychological tension.

Both help to build strength, coordination and balance and are meant to be healthy for the body and mind.

Yoga is based on the Eastern idea of moving energy through the body, and is also a holistic spiritual discipline with meditation. ​In Yoga, several movements are performed on an exercise mat and the weight of the body is used as a resistance for the exercise.

Pilates focuses on physical conditioning, and was developed as a way to REHABILITATE injured soldiers after World War 1 using a unique systems of cables and trolleys to stretch and strengthen the body. ​In addition to mat work, there can be different exercise machines involved in Pilates. Pilates works out the entire body in addition to the mind. The focus is on the core of the body so the rest can freely move and this makes your body stronger both on the inside and out. The balance is meant to be present between flexibility and strength and this results in stronger and leaner muscles.

Pilates benefits the body by strengthening, toning and building muscle mass. The increase in muscle mass causes a corresponding increase in metabolic rate, which can aid weight loss (along with cardio supplementation).

Stronger, healthier muscles, will also metabolize fat much more effectively than weak, untrained muscles. Pilates can be a positive addition to an overall weight-loss program. Combining Pilates with aerobic exercise also offers additional benefits: greater mind-body connection, improved posture, flexibility and functionality.

To ensure everyone gets the attention they deserve, we like to keep our classes small, from individual classes to groups of four.The adaptability of the Pilates method to different levels of fitness and body types has made Pilates an accessible and effective fitness choice for both men and women.

If you have been doing Pilates before pregnancy, you’re welcome to join our preggie bellies class even during your first trimester! However, if you are looking to keep fit during your pregnancy and have never done Pilates before, we would strongly recommend you to start only on your second trimester and you can continue all the way up to delivery.