WHAT IS PILATES?
Pilates – created and developed by German born Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s - originated from his unique combining of yoga and body building techniques. This is highlighted in the many similarities of the two practices – which both work on the integration of mind and body with a focus on the breath.
Pilates teaches you to isolate specific muscle groups, highlighting how the body works in functional movement and then working together as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of utilising the bodies stabilising muscles while in movement, creating a very safe and strong form of exercise.
Joesph’s unique approach to physical development through utilising the mind and body led him to create an unusual “concoction” of movements which are now the concept of all Pilates. He named his method “contrology” – using control of the mind over muscles to develop a “Thinking Body”.
The original principles have been refined over time to reflect our progressive understanding of applied anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.
“Perfect balance of body and mind, is that quality in civilised man, which not only gives him superiority over the savage and animal kingdom, but furnishes him with all the physical and mental powers that are indispensable for attaining the goal of mankind – Health and Happiness”