The delivery is very different, however the underlying principles are very similar. Both emphasize sound movement mechanics, strength throughout the full range of movement, and control of movement. And practice, practice, practice.
Pilates works at developing the deep stabilising muscles that hold you together. In essence you stabilise one part of your body then challenge that stability through movement, load or both. It is very mindful - “study carefully and do slowly the foundation work” wrote Joe Pilates. Precision, coordination and control are guiding principles that bring your focus back to your body. Exploring the matwork series you will see the influence of Pilates’ gymnastic background, yoga and martial arts studies. Pilates matwork exercises are body-weight exercises.
The CrossFit Method and the Pilates Method complement each other beautifully.
Runners, surfers, mothers, Olympic ice skaters and cyclists have all benefited from practicing Pilates exercises. Despite some media-generated perceptions of Pilates, it was not developed for dancers, nor was it designed purely for rehabilitation. It just so happens that it develops such a great control and kinesthetic awareness, that dancers and movement therapists find it a particularly beneficial addition to their regimes.
Pilates can be modified a little or a lot depending on fitness and skill levels. As you develop strength, control and coordination you can increase the challenge of the exercises to the level they were intended - as prescribed in Joesph Pilates book ‘Return to Life’.
Anyone who tells you Pilates is easy is not doing it correctly.
Pilates matwork exercises are the foundation of the Pilates Method. Matwork exercises are bodyweight exercises, and yes they are performed on a mat…one that is a bit springier than a yoga mat.
You can learn and practice Pilates Matwork in a class setting (see the schedule for class times) or though private tuition.
Joseph Pilates founded what we call ‘Pilates’ and what he called ‘Contrology’. So Pilates really is a who, not a what.
Joe was born in 1880 in Germany. He did not start off strong, being a bit of a sick kid - but he had an incredible thirst for knowledge and a love of human movement. He studied and practiced gymnastics, boxing, diving, yoga and martial arts - you can see these influences in his body-weight matwork exercise regime. His system became known as the Pilates method, or just Pilates - the name ‘Contrology’ never really took off.
Pilates developed his system for the masses. He saw the negative impact ‘civilisation’ had on the body at the turn of the century. He wanted people to move and move well. He always believed he was ahead of his time and he was right.
Pilates matwork exercises are brilliant. They look easy. They are very, very hard to master and few people can do the entire original 34 matwork exercises as laid out in his book ‘Return to Life Through Contrology’ without modification.
If you look closely you will see he is standing on her, whilst she does her ‘Hundred’.
Pilates equipment is used in a studio session. Each piece - the reformer, trapeze table, high barrell, spine corrector and wunda chair - holds a unique challenge.
Studio sessions are private or semi-private sessions.
Joseph Pilates teaches a volunteer some basic reformer exercises.
Applied Pilates
