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.

Men And Pilates

My first Pilates instructor was male. My training instructors were both men, and some of the most known and respected Pilates masters are men. Let’s also not forget that Joseph Pilates was, well, male. So why aren’t more men doing Pilates? The first thing that most men say when you tell them they should try Pilates is ‘I thought that was for women?’ Or, my favorite: ‘It’s too easy’. There is a common misconception that Pilates is an exercise method solely for women or dancers. Quite the contrary; in fact, when Joseph Pilates created the method of Contrology, or what we now call Pilates, it was formulated for men. A lot of the archival photos of Pilates show him teaching mostly men.

It has widely been accepted that having a strong core is the key to achieving a more stable spine. All of your power originates from your core and therefore a stronger core, gives you more power. The power to stand taller, cycle farther, run more efficiently, swim longer and so on. Having a strong core-not just ‘six pack abs’, but all of the muscles that make up the ‘core’, helps prevent injury that traditional workouts do not. The emphasis on building a strong cage is one of the fundamentals of the Pilates method and in this way it is unique. The specific exercises promote length in the muscles, proper alignment and optimal functioning of the muscles in conjunction with the organs.

Gone are the days of biceps the size of tires and upper traps that look like logs. There is the idea that ‘the more weight I can lift, the stronger I am’. That isn’t really true. While you may be able to use brut force to lift that 50lb weight, what are you doing to your joints, your neck, your wrists your spine? I can promise you, it’s not good things. All of my male clients have not only told me they see the difference in their physical appearance (they feel longer, leaner and taller), but that they feel inner strength, have more energy and feel less ‘compressed’.

Here is just a short list of why Smart Men should do Pilates:

-You will lean out and gain more definition in your muscles because the exercises create balance. You aren’t just working the large muscle groups that traditional weightlifting focus on. You are working all of the tiny little muscles, which help to create that lean long and balanced physique.

-Your posture will improve. Who wouldn’t want to stand up straighter and appear taller? While not giving you actual inches; because of the lengthening nature of the exercises and the strengthening of the core, a Pilates trained body stands taller. Better posture can also alleviate back and neck pain.

-You won’t need to live by the motto of ‘No Pain, No Gain’ anymore. Pilates challenges your muscles without straining the joints so you can practice Pilates well into your Golden Years.

-You are protecting your body from injury. Why do you think so many male athletes do Pilates? They use it to rehab from injury and they also use it to prevent it. LeBron James famously tweeted a photo of himself training on a Reformer during the 2012 Summer Olympics. If a 7ft plus man can feel comfortable doing Pilates, you can too!

-It’s never boring. Traditional gym routines can get monotonous. Legs on Tuesday; arms on Wednesday… Same exercises, same reps, the only thing that may change is the weight. With Pilates, there is an infinite amount of variations of exercises that can be done on each apparatus AND you work the whole body each time you work out.

-You will gain the flexibility and balance that you never thought existed. Most men have very tight muscles; especially the hamstrings. Wouldn’t it be great to touch your toes? OR, how about wouldn’t it be great to not pull said hamstring when bending over to tie your shoe?

-Pilates is wonderful for cross training because it helps build endurance and stamina. And the increased flexibility and improved range of motion will only increase your performance in other forms of fitness.

-You will move through your every day activities with more ease and less pain because of the emphasis on building a strong core.

-You may gain the ability to focus more. Because there is a strong emphasis on focus and doing the exercises correctly, you gain a certain kind of insight to your mind and body that traditional working out does not offer.

As Pilates instructors, we understand that it is really hard for men to break out of the gym mentality. Even if you aren’t a regular gym person, you have an image of what men and exercise should be like or look like. Pilates takes that image and turns it on its head. Pilates can be an amazing eye opener not only into the body but the mind. So men, forget all the preconceived notions that Pilates is just for women and get on that Reformer (or mat or barrel or Cadillac…)!!

Men and Pilates..There Are More Benifits Than You Know!

MEN AND PILATES

Credit The Pilates Blog for content

People sometimes ask me for predictions about Pilates because I do have a unique perspective, being as tuned into Pilates online as I am. And I pay attention enough to have a sense of the Pilates related topics that are peaking on the web at any given time, though I don't always see myself as an authority on industry trends. Now that I've given you a context for my prediction, I will tell you why I think this will be a good year for men in Pilates.
It's not because the term "Pilates for men" is rocking the net, it's not. What I see is a broader trend that has to do with the convergence of men being more comfortable with Pilates, and the Pilates industry, teachers in particular, being more serious about making Pilates classes appealing to men. I'm not alone in my prediction by the way. IBISWorld reported in 2012 that men and boomers were projected to lead a steady upward trend in Pilates and yoga.
I have written many times that Pilates is for men, as well as women. It was founded by a man.  The exercises, the underlying principles, and the equipment are all very appropriate to fitness for men. And, of course, men have been doing and teaching Pilates since the beginning.  However, along the way, Pilates did become associated with women's fitness. That made some men uncomfortable, and kept a lot of men from even hearing about or trying Pilates. Simultaneously, more women were taking classes and becoming teachers so Pilates got a little bit feminized, making the idea that Pilates was for women a top Pilates myth.
A few years ago, most women I spoke to had heard of Pilates and had at least some idea what it was. Not so with men. Usually, when I told men I was into Pilates, teaching and writing about it, I was met with a blank stare or an inquisitive, what is Pilates? That almost never happens anymore.
Most men I talk with know about Pilates and are more than a little interested in its benefits. In the past year, as many men as women have written to me inquiring about getting started in Pilates. In the news we've seen reports of professional hockey teams, basketball teams and elite male athletes doing Pilates as well as men liking it for general fitness, rehab, and cross training purposes. I've even noticed a trend of men moving into teaching Pilates as a second career. .
While men are coming toward Pilates, I am happy to say Pilates is moving toward men. Not that it wasn't before, lots of good work has been done, but there is a definite uptick in the conversation among instructors about how to work with mens bodies and training needs in mixed classes. I've also noticed more classes specifically for men (granted, in large urban areas) as well as Pilates DVDs for men. I should note however, that there is not a different Pilates for men than for women. Pilates is human body fitness and the same exercises and basics apply to all.
Another place we are seeing more Pilates men is online. Men who do and teach Pilates are participating in promoting Pilates info on social media like facebook and Twitter, as well as making excellent Pilates videos for YouTube and subscription classes such as Pilates Anytime and Pilatesology.
I think the expansion of Pilates into mainstream fitness venues like rec centers and gyms has been helpful in getting more men into Pilates. I also think a lot of men are tracking core fitness back to its source. Whatever the different influences are, it's up to us to continue them. Men need to continue to brave their way into Pilates classes, and instructors, men and women, need to continue reach out and expand the ways we reveal the potential (and history) of Pilates for men's fitness. It would be great to look back at 2013 and say, Yes, that was a tipping point.

The Benefits of Pilates

 The Benefits of Pilates

Pilates has become one of the most popular fitness methods in the United States, although the concept is not particularly new. The routine was devised during the early part of the 20^th century by a German, Joseph Pilate, who was obsessed with restoring his asthmatic body back to health. 

Pilates incorporates movements and exercises from such disciplines as dance, yoga and gymnastics as well as breathing techniques, although the Pilates routine does include some original movements as well. Whereas for some people Pilates is a lifelong commitment, most people will see benefits after just a few sessions.

Most of the 500 movements that comprise the Pilates routine can be practiced on a regular exercise mat with no need for expensive or specialized equipment. Pilates can also be practiced by people of all ages, body types and fitness levels – many people in their 70s practice Pilates.

Players of many sports such as skiing, running, cycling and gymnastics can also benefit from the Pilates program. Pilates is well known as an aid to helping people recover from sports related injuries or strains and dancers can benefit from the movements.

On the other hand, some of the gentler exercises are suitable for pregnant women as they help improve concentration and flexibility while giving birth and assist in recovering the body shape after pregnancy. The gentler exercises also mean that Pilates can be safely and effectively used in physical therapy to help treat injuries.

Virtually all Pilates exercises work on the concept of “centering” which is basically a way of improving posture by strengthening the muscles close to the spine and the abdominal muscles. By concentrating on this group of muscles, grouped together in the center of the body, Pilates is also particularly effective in decreasing the symptoms of lower back pain. And such things as

Many people who practice Pilates find that it leads to improvements in their life such as sitting up straight at a desk, walking straighter and a better sense of balance. Pilates has even helped people who ride horses maintain their balance more effectively, and in some cases has increased a person’s height slightly.

Pilates is what is commonly known as a “no impact” method of exercise – it can be practiced effectively in conjunction with other exercise methods. It is also gentle on the joints of the body and has been proven to counter the effects of over-worked muscles, which otherwise may lead to aches and pains.

One key feature of Pilates is that the series of exercises are designed to improve the mind as well as the body. While doing the exercises you are encouraged to focus and concentrate, which leads to a more relaxed state and better awareness of your body. Practitioners point out that this aspect of the exercises also helps to reduce stress.

Pilates has many other benefits that wouldn’t perhaps normally be associated with an exercise regimen. Practicing Pilates on a regular basis can help alleviate such conditions as urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, sleeplessness and relief from the symptoms of menopause.

Joseph Pilate dies in 1967, leaving as a legacy the many advantages and benefits of his innovative fitness system. Today, Pilates is practiced regularly by around 5 million people - including such famous names as Sharon Stone, Oprah Winfrey and Julia Roberts.

Credit:Princeton University.