What is Pilates?

Pilates was developed a century ago by Joseph Pilates. It is a training for the entire body which creates a harmonious and balanced muscle development.

The exercises allow you to strengthen your muscles in general and abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in particular. Pilates is a safe and balanced method consisting of a series of exercises that are carefully performed under the expert guidance of a certified trainer.

The mental involvement you experience a new kind of consciousness with time.

The six main principles of the Pilates method:

1- Concentration (concentration):

This is the most important factor in connecting the mind and body.
During training one learns to feel which muscles they use and how they react.

2- Control (control):

Previously called the method Art of Contrology.
Every movement has a function and its control is the aim of the workout.
One should never move in an uncontrolled manner! (So you avoid injuries)

3- Center (centering)

All energy comes from the centre of the body and from here guides every movement.
The center or powerhouse consists of the abdominals, lower back, glutes, hips and pelvic floor muscles.
The powerhouse is the centre of your box, this is the context within which they work and runs from shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip.
The box or frame centres the body in every action.

4- Accuracy (performance):

Every movement has a purpose.
Every detail is important in order to achieve that goal.
Each exercise has a clear structure and form as well as precise dynamics.
The Pilates method aims for quality, not quantity.

5- Breathing (breath):

“Breathing is life!”
Breathing creates the rhythm for all exercises.
The Pilates method uses flank breathing instead of abdominal breathing.

6 Flow

A complete workout is a fluent sequence of exercises performed with continuous dynamics.
The transitional stage between exercises is as important as the exercise itself.
The Pilates method looks to increase flexibility and relaxation of the muscles (so no six-packs or bloated biceps).