Reasons To Fall in Love With Pilates Mat Classes (Again)

I am falling in love with Mat work again this summer. Here is why.

• You can get a full body workout in 25-30 minutes. It is helpful to be able to do a mini session when that’s all the time you have.

• You can do it anywhere, anytime. I have done my mat work in some pretty strange places. I have memories of doing mat fundamentals in the middle of the night in my hospital room after delivering my son and in a tent during long camping trips.

• There is no distraction from the apparatus. There is a learning curve for people doing Pilates with the apparatus. There is a lot to remember with using the apparatus and mat work provides an opportunity to focus solely on your body and the movement.

• Doing mat work makes your body efficient and establishes a strong abdominal connection, priming you to get more benefit from apparatus work or warming you up for other athletic activities..

• Mat classes are cost- effective. Mat classes provide opportunities for a wide range of clientele to take Pilates and reap the benefits. I have 2 gorgeous 70 year olds in my open level class that never miss. They have spent time in the studio to get a good understanding of the mat exercises. They move beautifully and take physical challenges with grace and control.

• The order makes sense. There is wisdom to the sequence of the exercises. It works with how your body is put together and is satisfying to complete.

• When you know what to apply and work in the exercises it is incredibly challenging.
• Teaching and taking group Pilates is fun and supportive. People connect to each other in class. They are bonded by similar goals and can commiserate together over their struggles. It is sometimes helpful to try new things in a group as opposed to solo. Everyone is different.

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The Mental and Spiritual Benefits of Pilates

As we began discussion this month about the benefits of Pilates we started with the physical. Pilates is a method of corrective exercise, so that is the natural place to begin our journey. Our bodies, minds and hearts are intrinsically linked. The activities we engage in affect all aspects of us, bodies, minds and hearts. Some of what makes Pilates so satisfying and effective for people is that the workout can benefit all parts of us. The physical practice is a portal to many things, some of which are increasing your awareness of how you use your body/mind and improving the level of detail with which you work/move.

 Just as we build stability in the body first, Pilates benefits our mind by creating focus. This focus clears away the constant chattering that goes on in our minds. Tasks, roles we live and are responsible for, information, information, information. This part of our “modern living as Joe Pilates refers to it, is endless and nonstop. And he said this in the 30’s, decades before our smart phone culture! When our minds become cluttered and unfocused we sometimes we lose sight of what we want or what is important. This takes our efforts and actions and causes them to go in unproductive directions. Know the feeling of spinning your wheels, but never getting to where you want to go?

When your mind is focused and clear of unnecessary thoughts you can simply follow through better. Being able to follow through will lead you to completing your goals and making decisions that align with your priorties.The result is a calm, focused person who is capable of responding, not reacting to the events of life itself. As John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans”. I have found this true time and time again. To have the ability to be calm and respond to whatever life throws you takes wisdom and skill.

Continuing a workout program takes forbearance and strength of will. The days you need it most are the days you don’t feel like it. The act of simply following through on your intentions creates a ball rolling affect on your self-esteem, personal satisfaction and general mental well-being.

When your body feels good and works well, you feel good. When you feel good you are capable of responding to others in a compassionate, honest way. You can be the best version of you, not the version that is hurt or screwed in perspective.

So take Pilates! Your body, mind and heart need you! It will not be easy to continually make the time or take the time to do it, but the result will be a strong spirit, clear mind, and body that does not hurt and functions to its peak. Imagine that for a lifetime!

Classic Vs. Contemporary

What is the difference between classical and contemporary Pilates?

Classical Pilates refers to the original exercises Joseph Pilates created. A Classical Pilates workout honors the order of the exercises and the original intention or goal of each of the movements.

Because Pilates is not a trademarked name and any resemblance of the exercises can be called a Pilates class, diverse styles and hybrids have been created. This is contemporary Pilates. Contemporary Pilates classes are known for changing the order of the exercises and the goals are somewhat different.

Why do we teach classical?

Having first hand experience of both styles of Pilates, I find it helpful for clients and new teachers to study classical first as it gives a clear base of understanding of the Pilates work. Practicing classical Pilates also conditions your body to move in a safe way enabling you to maximize the benefit you receive from any exercise program. For example, when you learn to play an instrument, it is helpful to learn the first notes and how to hold the instrument, etc… It is potentially overwhelming and sets one up to fail if you were asked to play an advanced piece of music on this new instrument. Studying Pilates is the same way.

Classical Pilates is a whole body exercise method. When practiced well it leads to noticeable improvements in health and the function of your body, not to mention the appearance! After taking Pilates for 5-6 years and achieving some resolve to back pain, but still having chronic pain, my body corrected itself once I changed my workout from contemporary Pilates to classical Pilates. Classical Pilates focuses on building strength from the inside to out in the body. Daily we see this prove true with our clients in the studio.

Pilates creates change in the body and is corrective exercise for muscle imbalances and postural misalignments. Movement does heal! Your body will accept these new changes when ready; be compassionate with yourself and steadfast in your desire for a healthy mind and body.

Classical Pilates works!

PILATES FOR MEN

Pilates 

A Man’s Workout

BY CECIL ELIAS

     Recently, I attended a workshop led by a Pilates elder (one of the few existing teachers who have learned the method from Joseph Pilates himself).  She looked around the room and asked, "Where is the token male?" There wasn't one!  In the present day, it is a common misconception that Pilates is for women.  This is a relatively new phenomenon; until the early 1980's, the original Pilates studio in New York had a predominately male clientele and staff!  What happened? 

The truth is that while Pilates is beneficial for EVERYONE, the method was developed by a man (a manly man at that!), while working with men, to benefit men.  Pilates (originally called "Contrology") was created by German-born Joseph Pilates (1883-1967).  In his early years, he was active in gymnastics and wrestling and fascinated by the ancient Greeks and the circus.  In 1914, he moved to London with the intention of developing his skills as an amateur boxer.  There, he observed Chinese acrobats training with a wooden box and developed the idea for his famous "Wunda Chair".  At the start of WWI, Joseph, being German, was arrested and spent 5 years in 5 different detention camps.  During his detention he kept fit and trained some of his fellow inmates. During this experience, he began to develop his unique exercises and ideas for some of his apparatus.  Note: These camps were void of women! 

     In 1922, Joseph moved to Hamburg where he was training the police and using early versions of his apparatus.  In 1925 applied for the first patent of the "Universal Reformer" in Germany.  Note: This is another predominately male environment in which Joseph was training.  He eventually received a patent for this machine in 5 other countries, including the United States.  According to Joseph, he was invited to train the New German Army.  Joseph did not agree with the political path his country was taking and moved to New York in 1926.  In 1927, with the help of his boxer buddy, Nat Fleischer, the first Pilates studio opened on 8th Avenue (strategically located near Madison Square Garden).  So far, Pilates was a man's sport!

There are many quotes of Joe saying in one way or another that dancers had ruined his method.  In 1929, two years after beginning business in the United States, famous dancer Ruth St. Denis was referred to the studio to work through a career threatening injury.  After Ruth's introduction to the method, her husband and fellow dancer Ted Shawn and dancer/ choreographer George Balanchine became good friends of Mr. Pilates and before long the studio became something of a hub for broken dancers.  After Joe's death in 1967, many of those still teaching the method were dancers.  If you were to have heard of Pilates in the 1990's, you likely would have read a headline such as this: "Ladies: Do you want a dancer's body? Do Pilates!" 

     The method has remained the same; only the audience has changed.   Ironically, classical Pilates is more challenging for men than it is for women! This is because it was designed to challenge and correct imbalances in a man's body.  Women have a lower center of gravity, are naturally more aware of their core, and are generally more flexible and smaller than men.  In general, these attributes make the movements more achievable when executed by a woman.   

     Pilates builds stability, strength, stamina, and flexibility and has been a secret weapon for many pro athletes and teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Tiger Woods, Andre Ward (Olympic Boxer), LeBron James...the list goes on.  Along with athletes and dancers, men of various occupations were clients of the original studio including George Gershwin (along with many other composers) and later Anthony Hopkins was one of the many actors to frequent the original studio.  Located in Manhattan, the studio attracted many directors, producers and various visual and performing artists as well as several doctors, lawyers, members of the NYPD and young men preparing for the armed services.  Pilates is great on its own or as a compliment to any other activity as it is a "corrective" method and is adapted for the individual.   In my opinion, everyone can benefit from Pilates!  Gentlemen, this method was made for you.  Try it today and experience all that you've been missing!

Working Out of Joint

Working out of Joint

A common habit I see in clients at the Pilates studio is working out of their joints. To define this more clearly, working out of a joint is when the arm or leg structure would be moving or working without maintaining a healthy relationship to the shoulder or hip.

 This is common with people who are hyper mobile in their joints or have loose ligaments but can be a habit for anyone. When the smaller supporting muscles around a joint are not well balanced for stability, strength and flexibility, the result is additional strain to the structure.

Many sports injuries occur when people are moving out of joint as those connective structures are over challenged. Try this. Lift your arm in front of your shoulder. Lower you arm. Now draw your arm into the shoulder socket and repeat the lifting action. Feel the difference between the two actions. The second uses a different set of muscles and activates more supportive muscles to your core and shoulder. Our legs work with the same principle into our pelvis. One factor to bring up here as you explore the concept is that this action can be overdone and cause too much tension around the joint also. This would bring the opposite result of what we are striving for. If overdone, movement at the joint would be limited and we are striving for freedom of movement!

(We will leave that topic for another time- how to lengthen out of joints is necessary also!)

If you can feel the difference of the above example, awesome. If not give it a try by lifting small weighted objects, such as a can of food or grocery item. The plugged in joint example should feel easier to lift weight. Imagine the strain and stress on your body if you are always moving out of joint. This is a simple concept that will help you work more safely with your joints as well as move from a place of strength. 

The Mental and Spiritual Benefits of Pilates

As we began discussion this month about the benefits of Pilates we started with the physical. Pilates is a method of corrective exercise, so that is the natural place to begin our journey. Our bodies, minds and hearts are intrinsically linked. The activities we engage in affect all aspects of us, bodies, minds and hearts. Some of what makes Pilates so satisfying and effective for people is that the workout can benefit all parts of us. The physical practice is a portal to many things, some of which are increasing your awareness of how you use your body/mind and improving the level of detail with which you work/move.

 Just as we build stability in the body first, Pilates benefits our mind by creating focus. This focus clears away the constant chattering that goes on in our minds. Tasks, roles we live and are responsible for, information, information, information. This part of our “modern living as Joe Pilates refers to it, is endless and nonstop. And he said this in the 30’s, decades before our smart phone culture! When our minds become cluttered and unfocused we sometimes we lose sight of what we want or what is important. This takes our efforts and actions and causes them to go in unproductive directions. Know the feeling of spinning your wheels, but never getting to where you want to go?

When your mind is focused and clear of unnecessary thoughts you can simply follow through better. Being able to follow through will lead you to completing your goals and making decisions that align with your priorties.The result is a calm, focused person who is capable of responding, not reacting to the events of life itself. As John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans”. I have found this true time and time again. To have the ability to be calm and respond to whatever life throws you takes wisdom and skill.

Continuing a workout program takes forbearance and strength of will. The days you need it most are the days you don’t feel like it. The act of simply following through on your intentions creates a ball rolling affect on your self-esteem, personal satisfaction and general mental well-being.

When your body feels good and works well, you feel good. When you feel good you are capable of responding to others in a compassionate, honest way. You can be the best version of you, not the version that is hurt or screwed in perspective.

So take Pilates! Your body, mind and heart need you! It will not be easy to continually make the time or take the time to do it, but the result will be a strong spirit, clear mind, and body that does not hurt and functions to its peak. Imagine that for a lifetime!

Corrective Exercise

Hello, my name is Lesley Davenport and I am a Pilates teacher. I am starting this blog as a forum for Pilates teachers and enthusiasts to share their experiences and their inspirations. I got involved in Pilates originally as an answer for chronic pain I had in my sacrum and pelvis. What I did not know at the time was that my weekly lesson would turn into a new vocation. In a nutshell, I began Pilates as a student looking for relief and answers in working with my body. My chronic aches and pains were due to muscular imbalances and alignment issues. Shortly after (8 weeks) of sessions with a trainer I was hooked on how I felt and was beginning to look. I enrolled in my first teacher training certification in 2000 and from there just followed my path as an avid student. I love teaching and helping others to be healthy in body, mind and soul. Pilates helps me maintain the athleticism necessary to stay current with my first love, perform contemporary dance work. In 2006 I established a studio and recently completed the requirements to be a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer. As I quickly approach my 40’s and have very young children at home along with the responsibilities of owning a business, Pilates proves its value again and again in my own lifestyle. I have a stable strong body from Pilates and better mental focus. The focus and concentration has lead to an ability to work at a greater level of detail, increasing my satisfaction and results at work and at home.

I feel blessed to have the job I have. I get to create powerful movement experiences for others that have the ability to transform bodies, lives, and perspectives when the spirit is willing.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog. It will involve real life Pilates experiences from a client to a professional’s perspective.  It is my vision that it becomes a place where Pilates teachers and enthusiasts can experience a sense of community while on their path of discovery through movement. 

Pilates as Corrective Exercise

Many times I get the comment when new clients start Pilates that they” don’t know what this is all about”. We all come to a Pilates studio with different motivations or goals, but why most people stay with Pilates is that the benefits are multi layered for our bodies, minds and spirits.

To understand why Pilates benefits a body, imagine a human structure. Our brain is housed in our skull, spinal cord running from brain into torso and every part of us, limbs and organs, having a link to this central nervous system. All major functions of our body are controlled and directed from this portal.

For my clients to understand the importance of taking care of your Core, I use the image of not having limbs. If you were to not have your arms and legs, you would still be alive and functioning. As drastic as this is, it is an unmistakable example of why we must take care of our core or central nervous system. For clients who prefer less aggressive images, we look at a picture of how the body is put together and it does not take a moment to see the value of this workout.

Pilates is, in its best form, corrective exercise. When the method is taught well it has the power to transform someone’s physical function and ability. It works because the exercises correct and restore the natural curvature to a spine when all people have some degree of misalignment or imbalance. The next huge accomplishment for Pilates is creating length in the spine from our head to our tail bone. This length provides the means to take unnecessary pressures out of our lower back, hips, legs and upper body. The feeling of “standing taller” after your Pilates workout, is true, you actually are!

In an incredibly smart way, Pilates corrects the body by layering skills. First, stability and strength are created in the spine and pelvis. This area is the foundation of your body. Without stability it is an unsteady structure like a building with a faulty foundation. After this stability is accomplished strength is built evenly through the muscles of abdominals, back, hips, legs, shoulders, arms, neck, even feet and hands. By paying careful attention to what a body needs and addressing those needs in a systematic manner, Pilates is a secret weapon for any person, regardless of age or ability.

This is the reason that you benefit unquestionably from supervised instruction and classes with experienced trainers. They can help to “cut to the chase” and work on what your body needs, not what the person next to you needs. These are all concrete reasons why Pilates works so well for your physical body. Stay tuned for later segments that will explore the mental and spiritual benefits of a Pilates practice.