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The Basics of Pilates Exercise

admin — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:21:36 +0000

If you’re highly informed or even if you’re one of those people that just stay home, no doubt you’ve heard of the Pilates Exercise. Pilates Exercises sometimes used an acronym for Proximal Integrating Latent Agile Toning Exercise; it aims to stretch and to strengthen your body that is why most contortionists and ballet dancers get into it. But just because people are taking it for physical improvement, and weight loss, it doesn’t mean that a Pilates exercise is a cardiovascular exercise. Pilates is basically a low intensity exercise, but you could still exert a bit, but not like how much you exert during an aerobics class. Most instructors recommend Pilates with aerobics and other forms of exercise for best effects.

The Pilates Exercise was invented by Joseph Pilates, a German National, as a self exercise. Pilates was born a fragile child, sickly and asthmatic, so he took to exercise to improve his body. When he was a bit older, he was living in France, and was arrested as an “enemy alien.’ During his internment, he was assigned in the medical facilities of the prison and this is where he put Pilates into use, as rehabilitation exercises for the sick. He attached springs to Hospital beds for Later he moved to the United States and opened his own Studio.

Since then the Pilates exercises has gained its reputation for helping improve the overall physical state of the body. Pilates exercise is a series of breathing techniques combined with stretching and a simple machine. Pilates exercises improve the body’s core, which includes the muscles in the abdomen, back, and buttocks. Some say it is better than yoga overall because it strengthens the body through improving posture strength and flexibility through stretching. The machines used in Pilates, are there to challenge the body, by making it stay in certain positions while moving the other parts in differing directions, thereby training the body to endure strain, thus increasing strength.

The basic Ideology of the Pilates Exercise is the use of the body’s mental ability to improve movement, efficiency and muscle control, which is also why they say that Pilate exercise somehow improves one’s mental state. Pilates also makes you aware of proper posture, due to the exercises that you do, it also develops the muscles in the back and abdomen, further contributing to your good posture. Pilate exercise also uses breathing techniques, which further increases mental focus. And probably one of the greatest focuses of Pilates is flexibility strength of the muscles. It is this ideology that made Pilates popular among dancers when it first started out.

Many Pilates enthusiasts and users have testified to the effectiveness of Pilates. With regular classes, the bodies become well balanced and stronger. Some say that after each workout, you can instantly feel the difference it has made to the parts of the body, mainly the legs back and abs. Aside from increased strength, there is also the topic of weight loss, this is what most people aim for when they do Pilates exercises, and this is achieved indeed when you do Pilates. Aside from the ones above other results of Pilates include increased energy levels, higher endurance, better flexibility, great abdominal workouts, and overall physical well being. Aside from those stated above, Pilates exercises are also used for the rehabilitation of physical injuries, because of its low intensity level and focused form of exercise, some doctors say that it is best for the treatment of injuries on the limbs.

About the author:

Authored by Michael Bens – For more great information on how to lose weight, get in shape, and live healthy, visit Gabae Weight Loss for great resources, training and motivation!

Written By: Michael Bens

A Brief History of Pilates.

admin — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:17:10 +0000

Joseph Pilates, creator of the Pilates group of Exercises was sickly as a child. He suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. At age 14, he remedied his health status by engaging in exercise and body building, and in doing so, became the model for anatomical drawings.

With determination and dedication to his exercise, Pilates became skilled in sports like skiing, diving and gymnastics. In 1912 he worked as a self defense instructor for Scotland Yard, in England. When World War I came, Pilates, a German national, was named an “enemy alien” like most other German nationals at the time. During his capture, he started perfecting the methods of the Pilates exercise, and started teaching it to the other interns. He would make use of springs attached to hospital beds to enable bedridden patients to do exercise, with resistance. Pilates was first designed as a reconstructive form of exercise, mostly for those injured and unable to move freely, or else confined in a bed or a chair. The crude “exercise machines” was the basis for his later designs.

In 1918, an Influenza epidemic struck England, but none of his trainees were among the thousands killed, this strengthened his claim for the exercise’s efficiency. After being cleared of accusations, and his release, Pilates returned to Germany to perfect his method. The dance community, through Rudolf Van Laban, highly regarded Pilates’ techniques and adapted his exercises. In 1926, Pilates immigrated to the United States, after being asked to teach his techniques in the German Army. This is where he met his wife Clara, and with her, he opened a studio in New York, with the New York City Ballet. In the 1960’s most of Pilets’ students are New York Dancers. One of which, George Ballanchine, also had Pilates teach the ballerinas at the New York City Ballet. As time passed, his method became popular, not only in New York, but also everywhere in the United States.

Two of Pilates’ Students, Carola Trier, and Bob Seed, on the other hand, opened their own studio, demonstrating the methods and techniques, taught them by Pilates himself. Carola Trier, found solace in fleeing to the united Sattes, when she escaped a Nazi Holding Camp, and found Pilates in 1940. Having pertinent dance background and the techniques under her belt, she became a contortionist, only stopping when getting injured in 1940. Due to this, Pilates helped Trier to open her own studio in 1950.

Bob Seed, aformer Hockey player, and an avid student of Pilates opened a studio across form Joseph’s and tried to make a competition out of it by opening early in the morning. Some people say that Pilates threatened Seed one day, and told him to leave town, and indeed he left.

When Pilates died, he left no instruction as to how to continue the line of Pilates work, nevertheless, his wife Clara, continued with the Studio, already known as the Pilates studio. Romana Kryzanowska, a student who studied with Joe and Clara around the 1940’s continued their work and became director of the studio in 1970.

Also in 1970, A man named Ron Fletcher, a Martha Graham dancer, opened his own studio in Los angeles. He attracted many Hollywood stars, and this so impressed Clara, that she gave him permission to cary on the pilates name. Fletcher however, brought on improvements to the regiment

About the author:

Authored by Michael Bens – For more great information on how to lose weight, get in shape, and live healthy, visit Gabae Weight Loss for great resources, training and motivation!

Written By: Michael Bens

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Pilates Videos Their Advantages

admin — Sun, 06 May 2007 12:53:59 +0000

Pilates is an exercise technique invented by Joseph Pilates, a German National, who when he was arrested in France during the first world war for being an enemy alien, invented a low resistance type of exercises which was later coined after him, Pilates. Joseph Pilates First used springs from beds to make the first machine for Pilates. He alter moved to The United States and opened his own Studio. Ever since then Pilates was on its uphill climb, and now there are a variety of Pilates videos that teach you at home rather than at a studio.

First of all the advantage of any Pilates video is its adaptability. You can do it anywhere that has a DVD player and a television. Especially for those people who don’t like going to the gym, the Pilates video is really in improvement for those that want to exercise in the comfort of their own home.

The disadvantages however, of a Pilates video are its lack of a tangible instructor. The instructions given on the DVD can hardly be enough of a substitute for an actual certified Pilates instructor. All the troubles all the questions and the probable injuries cannot all be covered by a single video, only a real instructor could do that.

So if you really want to do Pilates videos at home, it is advisable to first consult with an instructor, or probably take gym Pilates classes, just to orient yourself with the procedure, and then going on ahead to do it at home.

Winsor Pilates is one of the derivations of Pilates that has itself on video. This is a form of Pilates modified by Mari Winsor and claims to give results in 1 month, provided that you use it three times a week. Most people who have used it actually claim that it gives results in just two weeks.

Most people like Winsor Pilates, because, like other Pilates Videos it can be done in one’s own home. In addition most people nowadays, even if they do, do Pilates at homes till don’t have enough time to exercise. One satisfied user, after using it intermittently for 2 years, testifies to a healthier core, and higher body strength, although no weight loss was observable, provided his discontinuous usage, there we’re still good results from its usage.

The other good thing about Pilates videos is that as you progress in using it and using it continuously, meaning you’re not lazy, you tend to memorize all the routines as you go. So when you’ve memorized all the routines, you don’t really have to strain you neck so much by looking at the TV. Another thing about Pilates videos is their economy, you wont have to pay monthly payments or gym memberships, all you need is the video and you can use it for as long as you want, or until you want to move on to another form.

Most Pilates exercises and Pilates videos are low intensity, you can’t expect anything to strenuous form something that can be done for physical rehabilitation. For most people, low intensity workout for great results is already a great deal and would take it without so much as batting an eyelash, but for those muscle buffs who want a heavier workout, Pilates videos aren’t for you.

About the author:

Authored by Michael Bens – For more great information on how to lose weight, get in shape, and live healthy, visit Gabae Weight Loss for great resources, training and motivation!

Written By: Michael Bens

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Pilates Yoga

admin — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:22:33 +0000

Though referred to as yoga, the Pilates exercise regime has no connection with it and works on entirely different approaches. The common factor between yoga and Pilates programs is their emphasis on mental focus and breath control during exercise. Some refer to Pilates as yoga with movement, and others as yoga with machines.

George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he was looking after the internees. He developed his system of exercises during this time. In 1926 he and his wife opened an exercise school in New York and never looked back. Now it is the top method of keeping fit. Initially, many dancers flocked to his studio to get a supple, strong and balanced body. Now his system has over 500 centers throughout the United States.

His basic approach to exercise was maintaining correct posture while exercising, with particular reference to the spine. The muscles that support the spine, like the back and stomach muscles, get a good workout. He uses breathing techniques to keep the mind focused and increase efficiency. The movements flow from the spine and posture, and balance predominates.

Initially he used the help of some springs. Now over the years many Pilates machines have been developed. These use springs, pulleys and weights, and over the years have become very complicated.

The Pilates exercise program is sweeping over the United States with so much enthusiasm that there are long waiting lists in most studios. There is an acute shortage of trained instructors.

There are three pieces of equipment that are used with Pilates exercise – Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair. Individual studios have come up with their own specific machines also. But it is not always necessary to use equipment. There are programs, though limited in effect, that can be done on a simple mat.

The merger of yoga techniques with Pilates exercise enhances its effect and appeal to the public.

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Bikram Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Bikram Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.

Written By: Ross Bainbridge

The Power of Pilates

admin — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:20:54 +0000

Happy Birthday Zanya

An estimated 6 million people across the country are now strengthening their bodies and minds, and losing weight, with the help of pilates exercises, the fastest growing fitness trend in decades. Among the Hollywood celebrities publicly touting its benefits, Goldie Hawn, Candace Bergen, Brad Pitt, Ben Afleck and Matthew Broderick.

Thanks to the Methods popularity, a growing industry has emerged. More than 11 thousand people in the U.S. now claim to be pilates instructors, but according to the Pilates Method Alliance, (PMA), the international, notforprofit, professional association that establishes certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals, at least 25 percent of them have not been properly trained.

If you are working with an instructor who doesnt have adequate training, you run an incredible risk of getting hurt, says Kevin Bowen, co-founder of the PMA. Pilates isnt something you just start doing one day. You have to make sure you have an instructor who understands the Method and how to make the exercises work for you.

If done correctly, pilates exercises strengthen, tone and stretch the body, encourage proper breathing and facilitate good posture. Here are 10 important questions you should ask an instructor before signing up for their class:

1 What kind of training did you go through and where?

2 How much time was spent in your original training?

3 How long have you been teaching?

4 Did you only learn the mat work or was your program comprehensive in nature, teaching you pilates exercises on the pilates equipment? 5 Do you understand the body, have basic knowledge of kinesiology and understand fundamental biomechanics?

6 Do you understand the aging process?

7 Do you pay close attention to safety and guidelines?

8 Does the facility where you teach practice safety standards for group classes?

9 Do you have a commitment to continuing education?

10 Are you affiliated with a professional organization like the Pilates Method Alliance?

For help finding a pilates studio or instructor in your area, who is likely to answer these questions to your satisfaction, log onto the Pilates Method Alliance Web site at www.pilatesmethodalliance.org. Click on the link on the left hand side that says Finding a Teacher. That will take you to a page with a link to a searchable database.

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Courtesy of ARA Content

Written By: ARA