+41 78 631 93 17
About Pilates
Invented by Joseph Pilates (1880-1967), a pioneer in physical rehabilitation, the
Pilates represents a system of exercises for the whole body.
It is about creating harmony between body and mind to stimulate the neuromuscular system and promote a healthier physical structure. There are more than 500 Pilates exercises that are performed on the floor or on specific machines with or without the "small" equipment (rubber bands, swiss ball, flex hoop ...) All the exercises engage the postural muscles, breathing, and stretching of the spine and they are performed with precision and great concentration (see the 8 principles of Pilates)
Joseph Pilates defined his method as mastering of body, mind and spirit and that is why he called it "contrology".
The basis of the method is to find a natural alignment and a healthy and harmonious body. Pilates is a unique approach that teaches how to train deep muscles before superficial muscles in order to increase the intensity of strengthening work.
The combination of breathing, alignment, strength training and stretching, in a series of precise and fluid movements, is the basis of this technique. Each exercise is only repeating a small number of times because in Pilates quality takes precedence over quantity. Thanks to regular practice, muscles strengthen while lying down, posture improves and awareness of the body is made.
It takes 6 weeks to re-establish new connections in the neuromuscular spindle, which is why Pilates requires patience and perseverance. To enjoy art of Pilates, you have to give it time. "In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference ... and in 30 sessions you will have a brand new body" Joseph H. PILATES
Pilates represents a system of exercises for the whole body.
It is about creating harmony between body and mind to stimulate the neuromuscular system and promote a healthier physical structure. There are more than 500 Pilates exercises that are performed on the floor or on specific machines with or without the "small" equipment (rubber bands, swiss ball, flex hoop ...) All the exercises engage the postural muscles, breathing, and stretching of the spine and they are performed with precision and great concentration (see the 8 principles of Pilates)
Joseph Pilates defined his method as mastering of body, mind and spirit and that is why he called it "contrology".
The basis of the method is to find a natural alignment and a healthy and harmonious body. Pilates is a unique approach that teaches how to train deep muscles before superficial muscles in order to increase the intensity of strengthening work.
The combination of breathing, alignment, strength training and stretching, in a series of precise and fluid movements, is the basis of this technique. Each exercise is only repeating a small number of times because in Pilates quality takes precedence over quantity. Thanks to regular practice, muscles strengthen while lying down, posture improves and awareness of the body is made.
It takes 6 weeks to re-establish new connections in the neuromuscular spindle, which is why Pilates requires patience and perseverance. To enjoy art of Pilates, you have to give it time. "In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference ... and in 30 sessions you will have a brand new body" Joseph H. PILATES
Joseph Hubertus Pilates
Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born on December 9, 1883 in Mönchengladbach, Germany. A puny and asthmatic child, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Joseph began to train at a very young age. At around 14 he was an accomplished athlete. He practices sports such as skiing, diving, yoga, gymnastics, dance, boxing, and martial arts. Being a kid, he understood that mental and physical health are intimately linked and he completed his training with the in-depth study of anatomy and physiology.
In 1912, boxer and gymnast, Joseph Pilates moved to England to teach self-defense in police academies in Scotland Yard. When World War I started in 1914, he was interned as a German resident in a camp on the Isle of Man.
That forced stay allowed him not only to consolidate the foundations of his method but also to develop it into a unique technique as it is known today. He showed his exercises to his fellow prisoners, allowing them to keep their shape. It was also during this internment that he invented his first machines to train bedridden people. This is how he dismantles a bunk bed, attaches the springs of the box spring to it, and begins to use it for rehabilitation purposes.
At the end of the war he was released and returned to Germany, but when the new German army wanted to force him to work as a trainer, he decided to leave his country and emigrated to the United States in 1926.
According to legend, it was while crossing the Atlantic that he met his future wife and work partner on the boat Clara. The couple set up a training studio in New York in the building where several dance companies are located.
"Contrology" quickly met with great success among ballet dancers, because of the method's aim to find harmony between the mind and the physical statements. It also demonstrated the importance of breathing. Reputable dance companies called on Joseph Pilates because they won over by this method, which allowed their dancers to regain shape more quickly after injuries inherent in their activity. Celebrities such as Martha Graham and Georges Balanchine become followers of the method.
Joseph Pilates taught his method for over 40 years. He passed away in 1967. Since then, the method originally called "contrology" has been taken worldwide under the name of its founder.
In 1912, boxer and gymnast, Joseph Pilates moved to England to teach self-defense in police academies in Scotland Yard. When World War I started in 1914, he was interned as a German resident in a camp on the Isle of Man.
That forced stay allowed him not only to consolidate the foundations of his method but also to develop it into a unique technique as it is known today. He showed his exercises to his fellow prisoners, allowing them to keep their shape. It was also during this internment that he invented his first machines to train bedridden people. This is how he dismantles a bunk bed, attaches the springs of the box spring to it, and begins to use it for rehabilitation purposes.
At the end of the war he was released and returned to Germany, but when the new German army wanted to force him to work as a trainer, he decided to leave his country and emigrated to the United States in 1926.
According to legend, it was while crossing the Atlantic that he met his future wife and work partner on the boat Clara. The couple set up a training studio in New York in the building where several dance companies are located.
"Contrology" quickly met with great success among ballet dancers, because of the method's aim to find harmony between the mind and the physical statements. It also demonstrated the importance of breathing. Reputable dance companies called on Joseph Pilates because they won over by this method, which allowed their dancers to regain shape more quickly after injuries inherent in their activity. Celebrities such as Martha Graham and Georges Balanchine become followers of the method.
Joseph Pilates taught his method for over 40 years. He passed away in 1967. Since then, the method originally called "contrology" has been taken worldwide under the name of its founder.
Six principles of Pilates
ConcentrationIt is precisely in the concentration that the idea of "mind and body" of the method is expressed. Every exercise, every movement is a thought-controlled process. The mind's attention to precision and fluidity of movement. This focus and thoughtful commitment gives to an exercise its optimal effectiveness.
CentrageAll movements start from the center of the body. The center, the "power house" are the abdominal muscles as well as the deep muscles of the perineum and those which surround the spine which mainly help to support alignment. This is the fundamental element of the Pilates technique, "from inside out" means working from the center of the body outwards, the center being the source of all movement.
BreathingIt has great importance in this technique. Although it is the most difficult to master, it is nevertheless the most important to know how to use it. The breathing practiced during Pilates exercises is called "lateral thoracic": it uses the maximum of the lung capacity, accompanies the movements, improves blood circulation, and makes our body more flexible. As a rule, we breathe out during the effort.
PrecisionPrecision is the key in Pilates. It is a connection between the brain and muscles which is obtained through the perfect execution, the ideal positioning and the mobilization of these and contributes to this precision by obtaining all the efficiency of the exercise. Precision is the culmination of focus, control, centering and practice.
AlignementIt is about finding a neutral position of the body by rebalancing the muscles. Weak muscles are activated and tight muscles are released. This allows the muscles to have the right length and strength so that there is no tension. Perfect alignment helps restore balance to the skeleton.
FluidityIn Pilates, exercises are continuous movements, like a constantly spinning wheel, at the same speed, with the same amplitude. The concentric and eccentric phases of muscular work allow flexible, graceful movements and a balanced and functional sequence.
