Recently, Pilates has experienced great popularity because of the first-hand positive experiences of those who have used Pilates. Joseph Pilates, founder of the Pilates method originally designed the exercises for WW1 English soldiers, and then taught them to boxers and later to ballet dancers. Slowly over the years everyone else started to take notice of the many benefits of Pilates.
Your First Pilates Class
There are two methods used when doing Pilates including mat exercises and various machines that are designed to strengthen the body using resistance. The key to Pilates is making your movements smooth, purposeful and with control. Originally Pilates was designed as a system that utilizes both the mat and equipment. Individuals will achieve the most benefit if they work the entire system. It is important to remember whom the system was first designed for: those who were injured or ill. Today, the equipment is used to support an individual so that they can learn the proper way to have muscle follow body structure and have the individual be supported by machine as the learning is happening. Once the machines have supported the individual in learning the techniques it becomes easier to transfer over to the mat and have confidence in accomplishing the exercises.
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