Pilates is a systemized disciplined physical fitness system developed by a German anatomist named Joseph Pilates. This method is a series of precise, controlled movements that targets all muscle groups in the body. Unlike contemporary forms of Pilates - which also has it’s benefits, Classical Pilates is considered to be the practice in its truest form.

The Classical Pilates method has a sequence to the work, which was designed to move the body through a full range of movement. This sequence builds intelligently with foundational exercises at the beginning and more complex exercises as you gain strength and control.

As a whole body/mind workout that focuses around the premise that all movement should start from your core, you can gain better posture, circulation, balance and coordination. When practiced regularly Pilates will help you to move better and feel better for a happier and healthier body and life.

Whether you’re a runner, an athlete, or a gym/workout enthusiast, Pilates will help balance off your primary movements. It will give you what you need: strength, stretch, mobility, stability, breath work, and control of your body.

It is the missing link to your workouts. If you find yourself post workout with lingering soreness in the form of a back ache, joint ache, or any type of ache, get curious and ask why? It could be a significant limitation or asymmetry to a movement pattern.

Classical Pilates gives you the tools to facilitate movement from the correct muscles and work on balancing muscle strength. If the body’s strength and flexibility isn’t balanced, this is when injuries happen. Pilates will also help accelerate your training and recovery periods as your body will work more efficiently.

Classical Pilates classes can require ample apparatus. “Apart from the commonly known Reformer, there are so many pieces of functional Pilates apparatus like the Tower/Wall unit, Toe and Foot Correctors, High Chairs, Arm Chairs, Wunda Chairs and more.” Like any resistance training, Pilates apparatus uses springs to create opposition.

What is spring resistance training?

The springs are one component of the Pilates secret sauce. The benefit of springs is two-fold – to provide resistance that can be used for challenge or for support. As we Pilates peeps would say, “Springs are to assist or resist”. The springs help to move you through the exercise and the stronger you get the less spring assistance you will require. Pilates uses springs to give our muscles the resistance they can use to build strength and the assistance they can use to increase movement. The whole goal is to move the best you can on the mat with your own body.

Classical teachers are required to go through a rigorous training program, with a minimum of 800 hours of training/apprenticeship, under teachers who are within the lineage of Joseph Pilates. As an apprentice, one is required to complete and practice the full body of work (from basic to advance level) on mat work and all pieces of pilates apparatus to fully understand how the exercises are linked and how the system works.

These teachers also study anatomy, kinesiology, and have movement backgrounds to encourage understanding the whole body and how it moves. In Classical Pilates, teachers regard self practice as a form of continuing education because doing, experiencing, and understanding the work by themselves is the best teaching tool in the industry. In a Classical Pilates Session, an instructor is not doing or showing the movement to you, he or she is guiding through words, hands-on-tactile feedback and watching with a trained eye to correct your movements imbalances, challenge you, deepen the work, all while making you feel the burn.