What is Pilates?

Pilates is a low impact form of exercise which focuses on strengthening the body, paying particular attention to the core muscles. Concentrating on posture, balance, mobility, and flexibility you will work the entire body in every class. There is a lower risk of injury during a Pilates class compared with other forms of exercise, making it a great class for beginners, older adults or people with injuries.

This form of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates, he invented Pilates as an program for injured dancers and soldiers while living in the UK. Joseph Pilates believed that physical and mental health were closely connected and in the 1920's he immigrated to the US and opened a Pilates studio in New York. 

Pilates allows you to strengthen tiny muscles that you didn’t even know you had, it is these smaller muscles that support and provide stability for the bigger muscles. Think of a skeleton, the abdomen is a big open space, this is filled entirely with organs and muscles. These core muscles are responsible for keeping you moving in an efficient and safe way. All muscles work in pairs, and when one is not working correctly it’s partner will suffer, creating an imbalance and often pain. By using Pilates, we can target areas of weakness to help to address the imbalance.

Pilates is not just useful for people with injuries, it is a great way to remain strong, supple, and flexible and to develop strong lean muscles. It is also a great practice to maintain joint mobility which is something we tend to lose with age. By developing and maintaining mobility, flexibility, and strength you will feel amazing every day.

As Joseph Pilates said –

“In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference, and in 30 sessions you will have a new body.”

The Powerhouse

The term “Powerhouse” was created by Joseph Pilates who started the Pilates movement over 50 years ago. Your Powerhouse is the centre of the body which, when strengthened, creates the foundation for all movement (think – your core). Most people hear the word “core”, and they immediately associate their core only with abdominal muscles but really your core consists of many more muscles.

The Powerhouse muscles start at the bottom of your ribs down to the top of the hip and all the way to the bottom of your pelvis. The six main muscles that create the Powerhouse are the transverse abdominis, diaphragm, rotators, multifidus, quadratus lumborum and the pelvic floor.

There are a few different ways that we can activate our Powerhouse in preparation for movement. The first thing to think about is to lace the top of your ribs together and draw your navel towards your spine. Taking a deep lateral breathe will activate your diaphragm and activate your abdominals. Now, give yourself a good lift of your pelvic floor and viola, your powerhouse is engaged. People who are just starting with Pilates need to learn how to activate the Powerhouse and keep the whole body connected like a tight corset around their trunk. Having everything connected gives us the ability to move with strength, stability, and dynamic energy. Only when your Powerhouse if fully developed, can you advance into the harder levels of Pilates. It’s with a strong powerhouse where you can progress to a high and consistent fitness level.