Pilates in Port Elizabeth

What is Pilates?

There's more to Pilates than developing "strong abs" or "core strength". Pilates is an exercise system that focuses on stretching and strengthening the whole body to improve balance, muscle-strength, flexibility and posture. It was created by German-born Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s and incorporates elements of yoga, martial arts and Western forms of exercise.

Initially adopted by professional dancers in the US as an effective form of recovery after injury, Pilates has steadily grown in popularity around the world, celebrity fans such as Madonna and Jennifer Aniston are committed Pilates supporters.

 

What is the difference between classical/authentic and contemporary Pilates

Classical Pilates sticks as closely as possible to Joseph Pilate’s original work. This means his original exercises and the order in which they were performed. Another key feature of classical Pilates is the position of the pelvis in in the mat work. Classical Pilates will generally teach abdominal exercises in a “posterior tilt” meaning that, when laying on one’s back the lower spine is completely pressed into the floor, creating a tuck in the pelvis. Example: if there were a small flat board on the pelvis and a marble were placed in the center, the marble would roll towards the belly button.

Contemporary Pilates is based on the work of Mr. Pilates but has been modernized by adjusting the exercises to fit with modern research and has a heavy influence from physical therapy and bio-mechanics. Many exercises remain the same, but a whole new slew of exercises have been added, or variations have been added allowing for injury rehabilitation and creativity by the instructor. Contemporary Pilates will generally teach exercises in a “neutral pelvis” or the position one’s spine is in when standing upright in a healthy posture. When lying on one’s back the lower spine will have some space between the back and the floor, and the hip points and the pubic bone will all be in one plane. Example: if there were a small flat board on the pelvis and a marble were placed in the center, the marble would not roll in any direction.

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What is M.A.T Pilates?

M.A.T. Pilates, Metropolitan Authentic Training, offers the most comprehensive Pilates instructor training program in the United States. It prepares future teachers for a lifetime of teaching the original Pilates method. Every student in the M.A.T. program studies directly with Dorothee and, because of M.A.T.'s international reputation, our graduates are sought after by many studios and gyms in the U.S. and abroad. Dorothee's talent and commitment to excellence make M.A.T. Pilates the best training program in the Pilates industry.The teacher certification program is rigorous and emphasises hands-on instruction. Admission to the program is selective and only a small number of students are accepted into the apprenticeship at a time.

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What is Stott Pilates?

Stott Pilates is a contemporary version of the Pilates method of physical exercise. It was developed, with the collaboration of physical therapists, and sports medicine and fitness professionals, to ensure the method stays up-to-date with current scientific and biomechanical research.

 

What are the health benefits of Pilates?

There are many reports on the health benefits of Pilates. Pilates can help improve posture, muscle tone and flexibility, core strength and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension. 

 

Can Pilates help reduce back pain?

There's some evidence that Pilates can provide pain relief to people with non-specific lower back pain.

Pilates is considered to be the best exercise for improving back pain and posture.

‘It’s recommended to those suffering from back pain because participants are taught how to target the core muscles,’ says Mushtaque Ishaque, a spinal surgeon at BMI Priory Hospital and the Royal Orthopedic Hospital, Birmingham. These core muscles include the transversus abdominus (the muscle that runs between the ribs and the pelvis), the multifidus (next to the spine in the lower back) and the pelvic floor muscles. 

 For the exercises to be effective, they need to be tailored to the individual and taught by a qualified teacher.

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Can Pilates help me lose weight?

Pilates isn’t an effective activity for losing weight. However, Pilates exercise can “support weight loss and give a more sleek streamlined appearance”. If you want to lose weight you should combine Pilates with a healthy diet and some aerobic activities, such as Totalbarre, swimming, walking and cycling.

 

Am I too old for Pilates?

No. Pilates is suitable for people of all ages. It’s never too late to start. With Pilates, you can devise a programme of exercises tailored to the individual. With older adults, I tend to work on balance, posture, co-ordination and breathing. I offer more gentle exercises to work on their weaknesses and improve their mobility.

 

Do I have to be fit to do Pilates?

No. Pilates is suitable for people of all levels of fitness. Practitioners say it's a more gentle way of raising your activity levels, especially if you have poor mobility, aches and pains or an injury.

 Many clients do Pilates because they're not fit. Pilates can be adapted to raise the fitness levels of someone less active, and it can challenge someone very fit. Before starting any exercise programme it’s advisable to seek advice from your GP or a health professional if you have any health concerns, such as a health condition or an injury.

 

Can I injure myself doing Pilates?

Pilates is a gentle, low-impact form of exercise. Injuries are uncommon. However, it's important that you find a qualified teacher and a class suitable to your level to ensure that the routines aren't too challenging.

If you don't exercise already or you're recovering from injury, it's advisable to check with your GP, a health professional and the Pilates teacher before starting a class.

 

What’s the difference between Pilates and yoga?

Both Pilates and yoga focus on developing strength, balance, flexibility, posture and good breathing technique. With its emphasis on the unity between the mind and body, yoga has a more spiritual side that Pilates does not. The main components of yoga are postures (a series of movements designed to increase the strength and flexibility of the whole body) and breathing.

Pilates also uses breathing, but its exercises focus much more on precise movements to target specific parts of the body. The best Pilates classes are in small groups where the teacher can develop programmes to suit each person’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

What’s the difference between Pilates with apparatus and Pilates on mats?

Joseph Pilates designed his exercises to be performed on specialised apparatus, and later developed mat exercises to allow his students to practise at home.

With Pilates on mats, exercises are mostly performed on the mat, sometimes using small pieces of equipment such as stretch bands and gym balls.

For certain medical conditions, apparatus-based Pilates may be more suitable, as the equipment and smaller class size means an exercise programme can be tailored to your individual needs.

Classes using apparatus offer a higher level of individual attention but they're usually more expensive. The apparatus is used to provide resistance to challenge your body and support your body, depending on your needs.

 

What should I look out for when choosing a class or teacher?

It's important to choose a teacher who suits your physical needs, whether it’s a health condition, fitness level or budget. A love for the work and a desire to help others top my list of what makes an instructor ‘good.’ A good Pilates instructor has an internationally recognized, high-quality, thorough Pilates education and takes the time to find out about his or her students—asking about injuries, illness or medications that might affect the workout—so that instruction can be tailored to each individual, even in a class setting. A good Pilates instructor is observant and notices if there are body imbalances or if someone seems ill or fatigued on any given day, and realizes that each day brings a different set of circumstances for each student. A good Pilates instructor must be intelligent, imaginative, intuitive, creative and able to think quickly. He or she is the consummate professional who always keeps a good attitude, makes learning fun, dresses neatly and appropriately, and is punctual, organized and encouraging. Above all your Pilates instructor needs to have an international accreditation. STOTT PILATES is internationally renowned for the quality of its training. STOTT PILATES® certified instructors are among the most sought-after Pilates teachers in the world. STOTT PILATES education is unparalleled in the industry for its thoroughness and quality. M.A.T. Pilates, Metropolitan Authentic Training, offers the most comprehensive Pilates instructor training program in the United States. It prepares future teachers for a lifetime of teaching the original Pilates method. Every student in the M.A.T. program studies directly with Dorothee and, because of M.A.T.'s international reputation, our graduates are sought after by many studios and gyms in the U.S. and abroad. Dorothee's talent and commitment to excellence make M.A.T. Pilates the best training program in the Pilates industry.

Other things to consider are the teacher’s length of training and teaching experience. 

 

What do I wear?

There is nothing special about workout clothing for Pilates. You just need something that lets you move, isn't too tight or too baggy, and lets the instructor see the line of your body. Shoes are not worn for Pilates Mat workouts, but socks are required for the equipment workouts