Pilates courses
from Greg
What is Pilates ?
(source www.parrypilates.com
)
JOSEPH HUBERTUS
PILATES
Born near Dusselfdorf, Germany in 1880. A sickly
child, who suffered from Asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, he
dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger. In his
youth Pilates studied and became proficient at body building,
diving, skiing and gymnastics. (By the time he was 14 he was fit
enough to pose for Anatomical Charts)
In 1912 Pilates moved to England where he earned a living initially
as a boxer, circus performer, and self defense trainer of English
detectives. World War 1 broke out and he was interned in a camp in
Lancaster and later on the Isle of Man. Pilates became a nurse in
the camp and trained other interns in physical fitness. He was
widely credited when none of the other inmates succumbed to an
influenza epidemic that killed 1000's.
After the war Pilates continued his fitness programs in Hamburg
where he worked with the local police force. In 1926 he was
disenchanted with the German army and he left and moved to America.
On the ship to New York he met his future wife Clara.
Shortly after Pilates' arrived in New York, he set up an exercise
studio at 939 Eighth Avenue. While not much is known about the
earliest years of the Pilates' practice, by the 1940's Joe had
achieved notoriety in the dance community. "At some time or other,"
reported Dance Magazine in its February, 1956 issue, "virtually
every dancer in New York, and certainly everyone who has studied at
Jacob's Pillow between 1939 and 1951, has meekly submitted to the
spirited instruction of Joe Pilates."
By the early 1960's the Pilates' could count among their clients
many New York dancers. George Balanchine worked out "at Joes" as he
called it, and also invited Pilates to instruct his young
ballerinas at the New York City Ballet. In fact "Pilates" was
becoming popular outside of New York as well.
As the New York Herald Tribune noted in 1964, "in dance classes
around the United States, hundreds of young students lumber up
daily with an exercises they know as the Pilates, without knowing
that the word has a capital P, and a living, right-breathing
namesake."
While Joe was still alive, only two of his students, Carola Trier
and Bob Seed, are known to have opened their own studios. Trier,
who had extensive dance background, found her way to the United
States after she fled a Nazi holding camp in France by becoming a
contortionist in a show.
She found Joe Pilates in 1940, when a non-stage injury pre-empted
her performing career. Joe Pilates assisted Trier in opening her
own studio in the late 1950's and then Pilates and Trier remained
close friends until the respective deaths of Joe and Clara.
Bob seed was another story. A former hockey player turned "Pilates"
enthusiast, Seed opened a Studio across town from Joe and tried to
take away some of Joe's clients by opening very early in the
morning, but it was unsuccessful and Seed eventually left town.
When Joseph died in 1967, his method was barely known beyond the
elite group of dancers, actors and wealthy clients who trained at
his studio. Joe believed passionately in his work and wanted every
school and gym to teach it. He dreamed of a day when "Pilates"
would become a household word. "I am fifty years ahead of my time,"
he once said. He was right. Today, millions of people practice
Pilates around the world, and the number just keeps growing! Now,
with the Pilates name free from any trademark restrictions, Joseph
Pilates' dream may yet become reality.
What can the Pilates method do for your back ?
The principles of movement
important for back health are taught in some of the simplest
exercises of the Pilates system. One cannot underestimate
the benefit of simple exercises that support the deep postural
muscles of the trunk, awareness of neutral alignment, and supple
use of the shoulders and hips. It is best to learn exercises that
can be practised at home between scheduled Pilates sessions.
Patients with pain stemming from excessive movement and
degeneration of the intervertebral discs and joints are
particularly likely to benefit from a Pilates exercise program. In
addition, postural asymmetries can be improved, thus decreasing
wear and tear resulting from uneven stresses on the intervertebral
joints and discs.
Pilates improves strength, flexibility and suppleness of the
muscles of the hip, pelvis and shoulder girdle. Fluid and supported
movement through these joints helps prevent unnecessary distress on
the vertebral column.
The Pilates program also teaches awareness of movement habits that
may stress the spine and helps the patient change these habits to
those that preserve neutral alignment. Awareness of excessive
tension and the use of proper focus helps the patient use the body
efficiently.
Individuals with significant back problems may benefit from
several one-on-one Pilates sessions with a qualified Pilates
instructor. While more expensive than a group class or
mat-based class, the time, money and effort devoted to learning the
exercises correctly can be well worth the investment, as exercises
performed incorrectly can make a back problem worse. Initially,
twice-a-week sessions tend to be helpful to learn the program more
quickly. After that, weekly Pilates exercise sessions may be enough
if the individual practises between sessions.
Some of the movements in the Pilates system are very difficult and
challenging. Many of the exercises should be avoided for
individuals with significant back pain or degenerative disc
disease.
As a general rule, back patients should avoid exercises that push
the spine into extremes of flexion or extension, or combine flexion
with side bending or twisting the spine. These motions place
excessive stress on the intervertebral discs. Also, it is important
to avoid fatigue - either mental or physical - which is when proper
form is lost and injuries more likely to occur.
The exercises in the Pilates system should be challenging
(both mentally and physically) but not so difficult that
they cause anyone to struggle. If an exercise causes pain-it is
best to stop and tell the instructor. The exercise may be too
difficult, or the person may need additional help to do it
correctly.
Finally, it may take a while for the full benefits of a Pilates
exercise program to be realized. Just as problems that create most
back pain problems happen gradually over time, learning to use
one's muscles in a way that support - rather than stress - the
spine takes time and commitment.
