There's nothing "new" about the hottest exercise trend to sweep the world of men's and women's fitness.
The Pilates Method has experienced a popularity explosion in recent years, sweeping across North America, Asia, and Europe. This type of exercise was actually developed in the early 20th century by a German national named Joseph Pilates, and the methods are really very simple.
Joseph Pilates originally named his exercise form "The Art of Contrology", and it involved the basic concept of using the mind to control the muscles. That basic idea evolved into a more complex exercise program, with great attention paid to the core postural muscles. These core muscles, it's believed, provide support for the spine and help to keep the body balanced.
As World War I raged on, Joseph Pilates was one of a group of German nationals placed under forced internment in Lancaster, England. As a trained nurse, Mr. Pilates was investigating ways to rehabilitate bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic.
Taking all that he had learned in those twenty years of self-study, Joseph Pilates applied his vast knowledge of yoga, Zen and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens to create a series of movements. These specialized movements could be practiced within the confines of the controlled war-torn environment. Pilates' fellow camp members learned the movements and concepts, and the original system of exercises, now known as "mat work" was born. Even in the cramped quarters that they shared, Pilates and his fellow WWI detainees could easily perform this initial exercise regimen of "contrology".
The Pilates Method is more than a combination of physical movements. It was created from the belief that physical health cannot be gained without mental health, and vice-versa. That's why so many people believe that Pilates is actually a method of total body conditioning. The movements and physical practices strengthen the body while emphasizing proper alignment, concentration, precision, centering, control, breathing and flowing movements. Now, even decades later, these basic principles remain the major factors of the modern Pilates Method.
Physical exercise was always an important element of Mr. Pilates' original concept, but this aspect was different than traditional exercise regimes. Instead of performing each exercise with a series of repetitions, Joseph Pilates developed a program of precise movements that required form and control. More than 500 of these very specific exercises were developed for the Pilates Method. The movements used most frequently came to be known as the Pilates 'mat work' exercises. This is a series of callisthenic motions that are performed on a padded mat, with no additional weights or apparatus.
Joseph Pilates followed up the development of his initial mat work exercises by designing five major pieces of unique exercise equipment. These, he claimed, would provide optimal results. The two components of the Pilates Method are often taught and practiced individually now, but the original Pilates Method combined both equipment exercises and mat work.
Of the exercises involved in the original Pilates Method, most were developed to create an awareness of the neutral alignment of the spine. These were exercises that could strengthen the deep postural muscles that support the spine's natural alignment, and played a vital role in preventing or alleviating back pain.
Gravity Pilates is a relatively new development in the modern Pilates Method. People who practice gravity Pilates believe that the abdomen, lower back and buttocks make up the body's "powerhouse". When these areas are strengthened and supported, the rest of the body can move about more freely.
Many people seeking physical fitness and rehabilitation use modern Pilates. While it is a popular exercise program of choice for fitness buffs and Hollywood's elite, the Pilates Method is also used by physical therapists as a rehabilitation exercise. Those practicing Pilates use their own bodies as "weights" to train their bodies and increase strength and flexibility.
History proves that there is nothing "new" about the Pilates Method, but it continues to gain popularity in today's fitness circles.
The Pilates Method has experienced a popularity explosion in recent years, sweeping across North America, Asia, and Europe. This type of exercise was actually developed in the early 20th century by a German national named Joseph Pilates, and the methods are really very simple.
Joseph Pilates originally named his exercise form "The Art of Contrology", and it involved the basic concept of using the mind to control the muscles. That basic idea evolved into a more complex exercise program, with great attention paid to the core postural muscles. These core muscles, it's believed, provide support for the spine and help to keep the body balanced.
As World War I raged on, Joseph Pilates was one of a group of German nationals placed under forced internment in Lancaster, England. As a trained nurse, Mr. Pilates was investigating ways to rehabilitate bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic.
Taking all that he had learned in those twenty years of self-study, Joseph Pilates applied his vast knowledge of yoga, Zen and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens to create a series of movements. These specialized movements could be practiced within the confines of the controlled war-torn environment. Pilates' fellow camp members learned the movements and concepts, and the original system of exercises, now known as "mat work" was born. Even in the cramped quarters that they shared, Pilates and his fellow WWI detainees could easily perform this initial exercise regimen of "contrology".
The Pilates Method is more than a combination of physical movements. It was created from the belief that physical health cannot be gained without mental health, and vice-versa. That's why so many people believe that Pilates is actually a method of total body conditioning. The movements and physical practices strengthen the body while emphasizing proper alignment, concentration, precision, centering, control, breathing and flowing movements. Now, even decades later, these basic principles remain the major factors of the modern Pilates Method.
Physical exercise was always an important element of Mr. Pilates' original concept, but this aspect was different than traditional exercise regimes. Instead of performing each exercise with a series of repetitions, Joseph Pilates developed a program of precise movements that required form and control. More than 500 of these very specific exercises were developed for the Pilates Method. The movements used most frequently came to be known as the Pilates 'mat work' exercises. This is a series of callisthenic motions that are performed on a padded mat, with no additional weights or apparatus.
Joseph Pilates followed up the development of his initial mat work exercises by designing five major pieces of unique exercise equipment. These, he claimed, would provide optimal results. The two components of the Pilates Method are often taught and practiced individually now, but the original Pilates Method combined both equipment exercises and mat work.
Of the exercises involved in the original Pilates Method, most were developed to create an awareness of the neutral alignment of the spine. These were exercises that could strengthen the deep postural muscles that support the spine's natural alignment, and played a vital role in preventing or alleviating back pain.
Gravity Pilates is a relatively new development in the modern Pilates Method. People who practice gravity Pilates believe that the abdomen, lower back and buttocks make up the body's "powerhouse". When these areas are strengthened and supported, the rest of the body can move about more freely.
Many people seeking physical fitness and rehabilitation use modern Pilates. While it is a popular exercise program of choice for fitness buffs and Hollywood's elite, the Pilates Method is also used by physical therapists as a rehabilitation exercise. Those practicing Pilates use their own bodies as "weights" to train their bodies and increase strength and flexibility.
History proves that there is nothing "new" about the Pilates Method, but it continues to gain popularity in today's fitness circles.
About the Author:
Author Selena Rymore is a freelancer for several popular web sites, on health fitness and healthy skin subjects.
