Joseph Pilates was a weak and sickly child. Determined to strengthen his body and make it well, he developed a series of exercises to help improve his health. When he was interned in Germany during WWII, Pilates introduced his exercises to other members of the German internment camp in which he was placed. This helped them retain their strength and ward off illness.

The workout taught to those in the internment camp became the basis of today’s popular Pilates movement, which is a series of exercises designed to improve flexibility and strength through a variety of stretching and balancing movements.

Pilates especially appeals to dancers because the workout aids in flexibility without causing muscles to bulk. Athletes, celebrities and models also recommend Pilates. In addition to increased flexibility, it’s also said to prevent injury and improve posture. It strengthens and shapes the body from the inside out.

To those who practice Pilates, the body isn’t the only area benefiting. Many feel the mind is opened and expanded through regular Pilate’s workouts. Like yoga, it relieves stress and anxiety. Pilates is a great head-to-toe workout, improving not only your body but also your mind. Is it any wonder it’s the workout of choice for many actors, athletes and dancers.

By the early 1960’s, Pilates could count among their clients many New York dancers. George Balanchine invited Pilates to instruct his young ballerinas at the New York City Ballet.

In fact, “Pilates” was becoming popular outside of New York as well. As the New York Herald Tribune noted in 1964, “in dance classes around the United States, hundreds of young students limber up daily with an exercise they know as a pilates, without knowing that the word has a capital P, and a living, breathing namesake”  

Pilates Studio 64 provides Pilates in a safe and relaxing environment, for all walks of life. Feel free to contact us for more information on how Pilates can benefit you.

What is your Core?

Core strength refers to the muscles of your abdominals and back and their ability to support your spine and keep your body stable and balanced. During Pilates you learn how to strengthen your core, reduce back pain and get strong abs. The major muscles of your core include:

Transverse Abdominis (TVA) - The deepest of the abdominal muscles, this lies under the obliques (muscles of your waist). It acts like a corset, wrapping around your spine for protection and stability.

External Obliques - These muscles are on the side and front of the abdomen, around your waist.

Internal Obliques - These muscles lie under the external obliques, running in the opposite direction.

Rectus Abdominis - The Rectus Abdominis is a long muscle that extends along the front of the abdomen. This is the ‘six-pack’ part of the abs that becomes visible with reduced body fat.

What is your Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor, along with the deep abdominal muscles, provides the foundation for optimal posture and the much desired flat abdominal look. The pelvic floor refers to the muscles that lie deep within the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles connect the tailbone, sitting bones and pelvic bones from front to back and side to side.

The pelvic floor needs to be strong, because as we breathe out, the pelvic floor muscles need to lift the internal organs back up. This action is assisted by the transversus abdominis muscle, which runs from the pubic bones to the bottom of the ribcage and wraps around the torso.

By understanding the location and the action of your pelvic floor, you’ll improve your Pilates performance and be well on your way to a fit and strong core.