The Pilates Method is a precise, systematic and anatomically sophisticated form of corrective exercise which creates a mind-body connection and "produces leaner, longer muscles, balances strength and flexibility, improves posture and core strength, helps prevent injury or speed recovery from injury and enhances overall functional movement and mobility." It also retains and strengthens the muscles necessary for postural alignment. The Pilates Method is based on the stabilization of the spine during the execution of all exercises. It also teaches its participants how to recruit the pelvic floor muscles during many exercises. The systematic flow of one movement into the next leads the practitioner into a deep state of relaxation and well-being.
In a traditional private Pilates session, one usually works half on the mat and half ulizing a piece of apparatus. In a group class the practitioners are often, due to expense and size, restricted to the mat work. While the mat work is the heart or the foundation of the Pilates Method, it does have its limitations. For this reason Pilates designed his apparatus- so to add the elements of resistance and weight bearing to the mat work as well as to enhance one's range of motion for greater stretching. The adaptation of the stability or "swiss" ball to the Pilates Method, substitutes for the Pilates-designed apparatus and serves to expose its practitioners to the huge repetoire of the apparatus based routines.
From its earliest beginnings, the Pilates method used a rich variety of equipment- such as the reformer, the wunda or stability chair, the trap table or cadillac, among others. Joseph Pilates was known as an innovator, and his approach to movement was quite playful. One would think he would have gladly added a big, air filled ball to his Pilates apparatus. However, the stability ball was more than likely, not even a thought during his lifetime. Designed by an Italian toy-maker Aquilino Cosani, the ball dates to the early 1960's, when it was used primarily in Europe, as a Physical Therapy tool. A few years later in 1967, Pilates died at the age of 87 in New York City, where he had resided and worked at perfecting his method at his first official Pilates Studio, since his immigration from Europe in 1926.
Born in 1880, Pilates began developing his exercise system in Germany in the early 1900's. Plagued by asthma and rickets as a child, Pilates' method sprang from his determination to strengthen his frail and sickly body. He called his method "The Art of Contrology," or muscle control, to highlight his unique approach of using the mind to master the muscles. Interned during WW1, he taught his method to fellow internees and successfully maintained their health through the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918. During the latter part of the war Pilates served as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man, where he began working with non-ambulatory patients. He attached springs to the hospital beds to support the patients' ailing limbs while he worked with them, and he and the doctors noticed that the patients were improving faster. These spring-based exercises became the basis for the apparatus Pilates would later design to be used in conjunction with the matwork.
Today there are good reasons why a marriage between Pilates and the stability ball make sense. Like Pilates, the ball has proved very successful in the areas of core work and balance training. The key Pilates principles-centering, concentration, control, precision, awareness, breath and flow- are much the same as those called for in stability ball work. Sometimes the ball is used to support the body, at other times it increases the balance challenge or it may add additional resistance by increasing the weight of a lever length. The ball is also very useful in facilitating neuromuscular feedback or stimulus to the client, greatly enhancing movement performance and coordination.
In athletic training, Personal Training, Physical Therapy and group exercise alike, the two methods compliment each other well. Overall, the Pilates Method is a highly effective, efficient and enjoyable, corrective exercise system designed to accommodate any level of fitness.
In a traditional private Pilates session, one usually works half on the mat and half ulizing a piece of apparatus. In a group class the practitioners are often, due to expense and size, restricted to the mat work. While the mat work is the heart or the foundation of the Pilates Method, it does have its limitations. For this reason Pilates designed his apparatus- so to add the elements of resistance and weight bearing to the mat work as well as to enhance one's range of motion for greater stretching. The adaptation of the stability or "swiss" ball to the Pilates Method, substitutes for the Pilates-designed apparatus and serves to expose its practitioners to the huge repetoire of the apparatus based routines.
From its earliest beginnings, the Pilates method used a rich variety of equipment- such as the reformer, the wunda or stability chair, the trap table or cadillac, among others. Joseph Pilates was known as an innovator, and his approach to movement was quite playful. One would think he would have gladly added a big, air filled ball to his Pilates apparatus. However, the stability ball was more than likely, not even a thought during his lifetime. Designed by an Italian toy-maker Aquilino Cosani, the ball dates to the early 1960's, when it was used primarily in Europe, as a Physical Therapy tool. A few years later in 1967, Pilates died at the age of 87 in New York City, where he had resided and worked at perfecting his method at his first official Pilates Studio, since his immigration from Europe in 1926.
Born in 1880, Pilates began developing his exercise system in Germany in the early 1900's. Plagued by asthma and rickets as a child, Pilates' method sprang from his determination to strengthen his frail and sickly body. He called his method "The Art of Contrology," or muscle control, to highlight his unique approach of using the mind to master the muscles. Interned during WW1, he taught his method to fellow internees and successfully maintained their health through the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918. During the latter part of the war Pilates served as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man, where he began working with non-ambulatory patients. He attached springs to the hospital beds to support the patients' ailing limbs while he worked with them, and he and the doctors noticed that the patients were improving faster. These spring-based exercises became the basis for the apparatus Pilates would later design to be used in conjunction with the matwork.
Today there are good reasons why a marriage between Pilates and the stability ball make sense. Like Pilates, the ball has proved very successful in the areas of core work and balance training. The key Pilates principles-centering, concentration, control, precision, awareness, breath and flow- are much the same as those called for in stability ball work. Sometimes the ball is used to support the body, at other times it increases the balance challenge or it may add additional resistance by increasing the weight of a lever length. The ball is also very useful in facilitating neuromuscular feedback or stimulus to the client, greatly enhancing movement performance and coordination.
In athletic training, Personal Training, Physical Therapy and group exercise alike, the two methods compliment each other well. Overall, the Pilates Method is a highly effective, efficient and enjoyable, corrective exercise system designed to accommodate any level of fitness.
Ongoing Pilates Mat and Ball Classes are conducted at the Haven 6x weekly. There are 3 beginner's -level classes and 3 intermediate-level classes, all on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Classes for beginner's are at 8:30 a.m., followed by intermediates at 10 a.m. Private sessions are also available by appointment.
Classes are 75 min. each, & can either be paid for individually or in 4 week packages of either 2 or 3x weekly.
Individual classes are $7 each, prepaid packages of 8 classes are $48, and prepaid packages of 12 classes are $60. All classes in a package must be taken within 4 weeks- omitting the week of March 10th-14th.
Private sessions are $30 each [for one student], or $50 [for a couple]. 2 sessions prepaid are $50, and $80, respectively.
Important Note! There will be no group or private Pilates classes the week of March 10th through 14th. All classes will resume on May 17th.
Questions? Contact Susan Clare, Class Instructor at suzeclare@gmail.com or call 6952 7857.
One need not be a member of the Haven to attend group or private exercise classes or to have services at the Spa.
Please know- No pre-registration is required. Just show up when you'd like to come. Discipline and dedication are recommended to derive the benefits of the Pilates Method.
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