Get healthy and fit with Pilates

Joseph Pilates was suffering from rickets and ill health when he developed his technique in the early 1900’s in Germany. He combined yoga, circus acts and gymnastics and discovered that a strong and flexible torso provide amazing strength and flexibility during movement.

What is Pilates?
Pilates (pronounced Pil-ahh-tees) the technique is a balanced blend of strength and flexibility training to improve posture, reduces stress and create long lean muscles without bulk. Using a mix of abdominal, back and core strength work combined with flexibility moves, Pilates is a calming, almost meditative set of flowing movements.

The basic principles
There are 34 basic moves which exercise the whole body:

Neutral spine: Holding the natural curve for your spine determines whether you are supporting your skeleton.

Shoulder positioning: ’A tension magnet’. Keeping the shoulder girdle open and down will release this and free up neck movement.

The concept of levers: No need for weight training. Your limbs and head can be the weights that you lift to challenge yourself. Moving them away from your centre makes the exercise more challenging, keeping them close in makes it easier. Imagine holding a heavy box at arms length -- much harder than close in to your body.

Concentration and isolation: Concentration on correct breathing and the precision of your movement is paramount to the workout and helps to work one part of your body while other areas remain relaxed.

Key benefits
Pilates can be done by both men and women of any age. "I'm in my 60’s and the Pilates moves have strengthened and toned my inner core muscles which support my posture and improve my flexibility making an enormous difference to the pain I had in my back," said Sheila Humphreys, a student at the Enhance Wellbeing studio.

Make your body sing
Work outs strengthen the skeleton, relieving pressure on your joints. Pilates also slims the hips, legs, torso and shapely arms while helping with balance, poise, and agility, relieving pressure on your joints. It also strengthens the pelvic floor and increases bone density. "I've been doing Pilates now for nearly two years and I've learned about proper posture. I now have stronger core muscles that support my back. It feels wrong to slouch or let my shoulders roll forward." Darran Summerfield, student of Pilates for Men.

Specific conditions
Pilates is often recommended by physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths to prevent and cure bad backs. It can be fantastic both during and after pregnancy and after certain operations.

Whatever your situation you need an experienced teacher who is attentive to your specific needs. A teacher who can modify the moves and progress you gradually will be worth their weight in gold. You can also purchase Pilates DVDs to get you started.

Lindsey Jackson has been teaching fitness for over 20 years and Pilates for more than eight years. She is the author and producer of the physio endorsed ’Pilates in Pregnancy’ and ’Pilates for Mums’ plus ’Pilates Essentials’ and ’Pilates for Men’.