Where To Find Pilates Method Illustrations?

Pilates

Hi all,
Good day to you.
Today, lets refresh what's Pilates about and where to find more info about Pilates.

Where to Find Pilates Method Illustrations

The Pilates Method is a form of exercise that involves more than 500 exercises, originally developed by Joseph Pilates himself. It is known throughout the world as a series of controlled movements that aim to improve the flexibility and strength or condition of the body.

With a number of exercises involved in the Pilates Method, it could be puzzling if you will just follow what the instructions are saying for the proper movements. It may be hard to follow the movements without any guide Pilates Method illustrations. Due to this fact, more and more people who got interest on Pilates are now looking for some Pilates Method illustrations to guide them in their training. Fortunately, there are a lot of sources out there for these illustrations.

Now, if you are one of those people who are still puzzled on where to find the best Pilates Method illustrations, then I would suggest you to search online. But, where exactly online? Well, read on.

ShapeFit.com

ShapeFit is in the first place the Internet’s premier health and fitness web site. This is run by individuals who are dedicated to providing the people with health and fitness related information to lose weight and get in the best shape of their lives. As part of their service, ShapeFit provides a lot of information regarding the Pilates Method. Of course, the basics of Pilates are provided, including the history and benefits.

Since Pilates is a series of controlled movements, ShapeFit also considered the Pilates exercises. Perhaps what is best about this site is that they presented these exercises along with Pilates Method illustrations. The exercises are even categorized according to the ability of the practitioner. Thus, you will be informed about the exercises required for the beginners, intermediates, and advanced users.

Along with the Pilates Method illustrations, ShapeFit provides step-by-step instructions for the proper movements. The purpose of exercise and some tips are even provided to better answer the person’s Pilates needs.

UnionSquarePilates.com

Union Square Pilates is but another great site to visit for the Pilates Method illustrations. As far as I know, the Union Square Pilates is an authentic Pilates Studio well-known for its being brand new, well-lighted, clean and fully equipped. Almost all of the necessary Pilates equipments can be found here, including the reformers, Cadillac, wall units, wonder chair, big barrel, mini barrel, and spine collector.

Aside from presenting those equipments, Union Square Pilates presents certain Pilates Method illustrations that could best describe not only the movements, but also the equipment used. Here you will be informed about the right positions of exercises done on the reformer. Also, there are Pilates Method illustrations for the wunda chair and Cadillac exercises. The illustrations are even presented in great quality. So, if you want to know how great this site is, just see it for yourself.

Spine-Health.com

Spine-Health.com is finally here to provide you with a comprehensive and highly information resource for understanding the Pilates Method and its exercises. Just like the above mentioned sites, Spine-Health.com also provides comprehensive and clear Pilates Method illustrations of the different Pilates exercises. There are illustrations that show exercises on the reformer, Cadillac, wunda chair, and even on mat. These a re all presented to give you an idea on how to perform the Pilates exercises needed to strengthen and condition your body and mind.

Ok, that's all for today sharing.
Till we 'meet' again, go to those websites and check out for more information on Pilates.

Cheers.


Pilates

What Are The Beneftis Of Pilates?

Pilates

Hi all,
Good day to you.
I would like to touch on the benefits of Pilates a little bit more today.

The Benefits of Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates

Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates, also known as the Method or the Pilates Method, has long been regarded as one of the most reliable and substantiated forms of exercise. However, there is much to the Method than its being a form of exercise. It is a series of controlled movements that aims to strengthen and condition the “powerhouse of the anatomy” – the abdomen, lower back and buttocks – which allows the rest of the body to move freely. If this aim is achieved, the result will be a body that will never let you down.

There are a lot of benefits that Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates is capable of giving. These many benefits include the following:

Increase in Flexibility

Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates holds that idea that stretching is a very important part of an average person’s daily life. With this idea, Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates helps greatly in stretching the body, making it flexible after a tiring and busy day.

Manages Stress

In today’s fast paced environment, stress is a very common factor in our lives. To take control of our lives, it is then necessary for us to relieve our bodies and minds from the stress caused by everyday activities. To relieve us from stress, Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates can be of great help. Note that this system works on the basis of two principles: focusing your mind and breathing properly. According to experts, a combination of these principles has proven results on eliminating the effects of stress.

Develops a Strong Core

For Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates, the center of the body or “core” is one of the most vital parts of the human body. The core encompasses the deep abdominal muscles as well as the muscles close to the spine. Pilates believe that a stronger core is an indication of a strong body, that’s why most of the exercises involved in Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates work on the core of the body. These exercises are generally aimed at developing core control to integrate the trunk, shoulders and pelvis.

Improves Mental Alertness

Breathing is an important principle of Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates. The reason for this is that studies have proved that breathing correctly improves the blood supply and blood flow. With an improved blood supply, many of the toxins in our body get released, facilitating mental alertness. In addition, the exercises involved in Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates help calm a cluttered mind and produce clarity of thought.

Improves Body Alignment, Shape and Posture

This is but another purpose of Joseph Pilates’ Method Pilates exercise system. However, to improve the body alignment, shape and posture, striking the right balance during a Pilates exercise regime is very critical. The Method is devised to have a major focus on alignment and symmetry of the body. As often said, any imbalance in your physique can be corrected with the Method. What’s more, The Method promotes balance between muscle groups and stretches your body, resulting in lengthening of the muscles and improving your overall body shape and posture.

So, you have read about the benefits of Pilates, go find a gym or fitness center that conducts Pilates class, register for the class and give it a try.

Cheers.



Pilates

A Brief History Of Pilates

Pilates

Hi all,
Hm.... lets touch on the history of Pilates today.

Pilates Method: A Brief History

Well-known throughout Canada, Europe and Pan-Asia, the Pilates Method (Pee-LAH-tees) is simply a form of physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by a person named Joseph Pilates. On the birth of this method, Joseph Pilates named it The Art of Contrology, which refers to the way the Pilates Method encourages the use of mind to control the muscles. It then evolved into an exercise program that pays great attention on the core postural muscles that are said to help keep the body balanced and provide support for the spine.

The Pilates Method was born during the World War I when Joseph Pilates was placed under forced internment along with other German nationals in Lancaster, England. A trained nurse in his native Germany, he was then investigating ways that he could rehabilitate the bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic. There he taught his fellow camp members the concepts and exercises developed over 20 years of self-study as well as apprenticeship in yoga, Zen and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens. He then created a series of movements that could be practiced within the confines of this controlled environment. It was also at that time that Joseph Pilates started devising the system of original exercises known these days as “mat work” or exercises performed on the floor. He called this regimen “contrology”.

Believing that mental health and physical health were essential to one another, Pilates created the Pilates Method, which has long been claimed to be a method of total body conditioning that emphasizes proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movements. These concepts are actually the major principles maintained by the Pilates Method up to these days.

However, instead of performing a series of repetitions of each exercise, Joseph Pilates preferred fewer, but more precise movements requiring control and form. Much to your surprise, he designed more than 500 specific exercises to be included in his well-known Pilates Method. The most frequent form of those exercises is the mat work, which actually involves a series of calisthenic motions done without weight or apparatus on a padded mat.

After the development of mat work, Pilates designed five major pieces of unique exercise equipment that he claimed should be used for best results. It is interesting to note that although the two components of the Pilates Method are often taught separately now, the Pilates method was always meant to combine both mat work and equipment exercises. The exercises involved in the Pilates Method generally teach awareness of neutral alignment of the spine. They also strengthen the deep postural muscles that support this alignment, which play a very vital role in alleviating and preventing back pain.

We share touch more on the method at my next post.

Till we 'meet' again, stay healthy.

Cheers.


Pilates

The Pilates Myths & Facts Exposed!

Pilates

Hi all,
Good day to you.
Hope you enjoyed yesterday sharing.

Without further ado, lets continue with ...............

The Pilates Method Myths and Facts, Exposed!

Probably you’ve heard about the Pilates Method as an exercise program that aims to strengthen, stretch and condition the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced. Well, this fitness trend has gone mainstream. It has undergone a huge rebirth in the United States and other parts of the world. Today, the Pilates Method has started to attain the status of culthood with its latter day practitioners are now reviving some of the myths of strength training, the Pilates.

Now if you want to know what these Pilates myths are, here are few that are now doing the rounds. These are actually taken from the advertising blurb that is promoting the Pilates Method in the media.

Myth #1: Unlike the weight training which tends to shorten the muscles, the Pilates lengthens them. All that lifting bunches up the muscles and makes a person stiff and tight.

Fact: When the muscles in the body are activated, they contract and shorten, and when they relax, they lengthen. Therefore, when your muscles appear to lengthen and flatten with training, it means that you are losing muscle bulk, which is not a highly desirable state for anyone. Having said all these, it is then clear that the above mentioned belief about the Pilates Method is a total nonsense. It even betrays knowledge of muscle physiology. What it would seem to suggest is that the more Pilates workout you perform, the longer your muscles become, which would mean that your muscles would develop shack and you eventually would not be able to move your joints.

Myth #2: Many people believe that the Pilates Method offers much more variety than weight training. It now has more than 2000 exercises.

Fact: Experts noted that the field of weight training, which includes free barbell and dumbbell weight and machines, provides at least ten times that number of exercises as well as exercise variations. The Pilates Method does not even come close.

The practitioners of the Pilates Method should note that the well-known apparatus of Pilates, the reformer, Cadillac and spine collector, as well as the other machines were designed and developed by Joseph Pilates from a host of earlier weird and wonderful machines that were then sold in the fitness market of Europe and Russia during the 19th and early 20th century. Also, it should be noted that those who are doing the Pilates Method are simply doing another type of strength training program, but unfortunately don’t even recognize this fact. So, if any of the Pilates practitioners think that Joseph Pilates has a totally unique approach or philosophy, then they would do well to learn that a number of the strengthening trends setters of the past had some philosophies that are not dramatically different from that of Pilates. As experts often say, they would at elast consider reading the Webster’s “The Iron Game” for them to know this fact.

Myth #3: Weight Training usually causes imbalances and overstresses the back, while the Pilates Method realigns the body, corrects muscle imbalances and helps to heal injured backs.

Fact: Note that suitably individualized Pilates and progressive weight training programs can both be used to correct imbalances and enhance postural alignment. However, if the Pilates Method, as well as the weight training programs is poorly taught, they both can be injurious. The bottom line is, there is still no scientific or clinical evidence that could prove that the Pilates Method is any better or worse than any other form of training.

Hope you enjoy today sharing.




And don't forget to sign up for the free eBook "Guide To Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem" at my blog

http://www.PersonalLearningLifestyle.blogspot.


Cheers.



Pilates

What Is Pilates?

Pilates

Hi all,
Good day to you.
As promised, I am starting the new series on "Pilates".

Here it comes..........

Pilates: The Method of Body Conditioning

Imagine a fitness trend that engages you and leaves you refreshed and alert with a feeling of physical and mental well-being. Can’t think of any? Well, Pilates, the method of body conditioning, will greatly do all this, and even more.

Pilates, the method of body conditioning, was developed in the 1920s by the legendary physical trainer and founder of the Pilates Studio, Joseph H. Pilates. It has long been considered as a form of exercise system that pays much attention on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. With this purpose, it’s no surprise that some of the first practitioners of Pilates were the dancers like George Balanchine and Martha Graham.

However, one should note that Pilates, the method of body conditioning, is not just about exercise. Pilates is a series of controlled movements that engage your body and mind. These controlled movements are usually done on specifically designed exercise apparatus and then supervised by extensively trained and experienced Pilates teachers.

Benefits of Pilates

In the first place, Pilates, the method of body conditioning, promotes physical harmony as well as balance for people of all ages. It also promotes physical conditions while providing a refreshing and energizing workout.

The body conditioning sessions of Pilates are usually done one to one with a certified Pilates teacher or in closely supervised small groups. Because of this, each session then is tailored to specific needs of every customer. Also, regardless of your current level of fitness, the Pilates, the method of body conditioning, can be really your primary mode for body conditioning and injury prevention.

Today, numerous studies have revealed that Pilates, the method of body conditioning, can be integrated into rehabilitative exercise, as well as physical therapy programs that are designed to speed recovery of the soft tissue injuries. This is what actually discovered by most chiropractors, orthopedists, and physical therapists.

Pilates, the method of body conditioning can now even be used by pregnant women for them to learn proper breathing and body alignment. The exercises will also help them improve their concentration and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy.

The Difference of Pilates among Other Fitness Trends

What sets Pilates, the method of body conditioning, apart from the other fitness trends is the fact that Joseph Pilates developed more than 500 specific exercises using the five major pieces of unique apparatus to develop the body uniformly. Then, instead of performing a number of repetitions for every exercise, Joseph Pilates preferred fewer, but more precise movements. These precise movements involved generally require proper control and form.

Also, because Pilates, the method conditioning, requires your mind to engage with your body to perform the precise movements correctly, there is a great possibility that you will experience a new awareness of the muscle function and control.

What else? In Pilates, the method of body conditioning, the powerhouse is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of your body to move freely. Note that the term “powerhouse” refers to the abdomen, lower back, and buttocks.

Ok, thanks for reading this far, I believe by now, you should have a rough idea what is Pilates and what can Pilates do for you.

Ok, that's all for the first sharing, will continue with more at my next post.

Till we 'meet' again, have fun.




Pilates

Two Pieces of Good News For YOU!

Miditation

Hi all,
I believed that you had a good weekend.

I have two pieces of good news to share.

Firstly, I will be starting a new series of sharing on "Pilates", so stay tuned.

Secondly, I am giving a free eBook to all my subscribers to my blog http://PersonalLearningLifestyle.blogspot.com

If you have yet to subscribe to my blog http://PersonalLearningLifestyle.blogspot, you would like to check it out and I believe you will like what I share at this blog.

Subscribe to it by clicking the sign-up box at the upper right hand corner of my blog http://PersonalLearningLifestyle.blogspot.com.

Enjoy my sharing and the free eBook.

And don't forget, my new series on "Pilates" will begin very soon, so stay tuned.

Cheers.

Meditation