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The Pilates method of body conditioning was developed by German Joseph Pilates more than 70 years ago. For many years, Pilates training remained a well-kept secret in the world of dance and the performing arts. In recent years the growing interest in “mind/body” exercises has bought Pilates concepts to the forefront of fitness training.

The wave of interest has seen stars such as Madonna, Sharon Stone and Jodie Foster using the method and enjoying the benefits of Pilates training techniques.
 

The Pilates method comprises more than 500 exercises, performed as a mat based workout or using special resistance equipment developed by Joseph Pilates and emphasising spring resistance.

The central concept of Pilates training is strengthening the so called “powerhouse” or core of the body-the deep abdominal muscles, buttock muscles and the muscles around the spine. A training program based on Pilates will stabilize the pelvis and shoulder girdle, stretching and strengthening the entire body with movement initiating from “the centre”.

PILATES Testimonial

Hi I'm Sandra and have been living in St Helens Merseyside for the last 7 years and am employed at St Helens College as a cleaning operative. My job involves a lot of heavy carrying which puts tremendous strain on my back and neck, then I heard of Pilates. So I joined Pilates, and to my amazement it has become the best exercise I've tried.  Eleven months later and with the help of a very good teacher my whole body has slowly transformed into a fitter, firmer stronger and healthier me. I've dropped a jean size without losing weight, my waistline has become shapelier, my stomach firmer and flatter, upper arms are more toned, my thighs are sleeker and firmer. Strength and stamina has increased. Pilates is working wonders for me not only do I feel more confident in the way I look, my inner self feels good too, and my husband tells me I look terrific. Sandra Kenny, Cleaning Operative

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Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. As a child, he suffered from a number of physical ailments including rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever.

Pilates, determined to overcome these health issues, began a lifetime dedication to physical fitness beginning with gymnastics, body building, and skiing. He also studied eastern methods of training such as yoga and Zen meditation. By the time he was a teenager, he was in good enough physical condition to pose for anatomical charts-quite a transformation!
 

Pilates left his native Germany for England in 1912, where he earned a live in various ways-as a professional boxer, circus performer, and even teaching self defence to members of the police force at Scotland Yard. He continued to develop the system of exercise whilst interned during World War 1. The origins of the modern day “reformer”, with its spring resistance and sliding carriage, are to be found in equipment that Joseph Pilates developed during this period to enable bed-ridden patients to continue to exercise and develop strength and flexibility, working with springs taken from their beds.

Pilates opened his first dedicated “Pilates” studio in New York during the 1920’s. From the beginning his greatest fans were drawn from the world of the performing arts. Leading lights of the dance world such as Martha graham, George Balanchine and hanta Holm using the method to improve performance and injury.
 

Pilates continues to teach and develop equipment and exercises with his beloved wife Clara until his death in 1967. He was fond of speculating that he was 50 years before the times in his theories and ideas. Given the universal popularity of Pilates training across the world at the start of the new millennium, he seems to have been right!
 

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The question is best answered by one of Joseph Pilate’s favourite quotes from chillier. “It is the mind itself which builds the body”.

Pilates formulated 6 basic principles for his exercise technique:

1. Breathing. The pattern of breathing is connected with the pattern of movement. It ensures a free flow of cleansing oxygen throughout the body improves circulation and helps avoid unnecessary tension in the muscles.

2. Precision.  The method emphasizes quality of movement over quantity.

3. Centering. Centring refers to the practice of initiating and controlling movement from the centre or “powerhouse, abs, buttocks and back muscles. This concept lies at the heart of Pilates work.

4. Flowing.  Movement in combination with deep and relaxed breathing, flowing movements in Pilates reduce stress on the body and the risk of injury.

5. Control.  Control is vital! Momentum has no place in this method of training.

6. Concentration. In Pilates, the mind and the body work as a team. Every exercise requires your full attention. Observe your body as it works; think about each stage of movement.

What is so special about the method?

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Traditional methods of training and developing the body tend to produce bulky muscles - precisely the type is musculature most prone to injury. Pilates elongates the spin, increasing the elasticity of muscles and the flexibility of joints. This balance between strength and flexibility drastically reduces the potential for injury.
 

Pilates emphasizes flowing movements requiring the use of multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Controlled breathing and concentration are essential for making Pilates truly a workout for the body and the mind. It avoids the ten of many exercise forms to emphasize the muscles which are stronger and neglect those which are already weaker.

In this way Pilates can help your body to regain efficient patterns of motion great benefits to those recovering from injury, professional athletes and performers, or anyone seeking good posture and optimal health.

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What are the principles behind STOTT PILATES™?

STOTT PILATES™ improves core strength and balances the muscles around the joints, improving the way your boy functions, looks and feels. It focuses specifically on:

1. Breathing

2. Pelvic placement

3. Rib-cage placement

4. Scapular movement

5. Head and cervical spine placement

Is STOTT PILATES™ like yoga?

In some respects Pilates conditioning is like yoga. Both are considered mind-body type methods of movement; both emphasize deep breathing and smooth, long movements that encourage your muscles to relax and lengthen. The difference that while yoga requires moving from one static posture to the next without repetitions, Pilate’s flows through as series of movements that are more dynamic systemic and anatomically based. The goal with Stott Pilate’s exercises is achieve optimal functional fitness.

How is STOTT PILATES™ different or better than weight training or other resistance exercise?

• Pilates is three-dimensional (i.e. exercise can be performed using all movement planes)

• spring resistance more closely resembles muscular contraction

• emphasis on concentric/eccentric contraction for injury prevention

• STOTT PILATES™ is customizable for special needs

• in Pilates exercise, emphasis is placed on rebalancing muscles around the joint

• Pilates corrects over-training and muscle imbalance that leads to injury

• Pilates emphasizes balancing strength and flexibility (for injury prevention and more efficient movement)

• STOTT PILATES™ leads to improvement in posture and body awareness.

If I’m doing Pilates, should I still do my regular workout?

STOTT PILATES™ is a muscular-skeletal conditioning program. In combination with some kind of cardiovascular exercise (walking, running, aerobics, aqua fitness, etc), it’s all you need. For people who reach advanced levels, they can actually elevate their heart rate with Stott power workouts

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• Jason Kidd & New Jersey Nets; NBA

• Tiger Woods; PGA golfer

• Jason Giambi; MLBl

• Venus Williams; Tennis

• Levi Wenrich; Hart Basketball

• Sarina Coutin; Hart Soccer

• Dale Fairclough; SCV club Water Polo

• Ruben Brown;   NFL

• Curt Schilling;  MLB

"I used to feel like crap after practice and games but not since Pilates.  I learned to breathe through my muscles. My posture is better. I can run more fluidly. And I increased my bench workouts. I came out of the season injury-free."--Ruben Brown; Chicago Bears, NFL
 

 "Pilates has made me quicker, more explosive."
--Jason Kidd, NJ Nets, NBA

"Pilates is going to add five, six, seven...years to my career."
--Rocco Mediate; PGA Tour pro

Strength and conditioning coach for the Texas Rangers, Fernando Montes began recommending Pilates to his players in the early 1990's.  Pilates helped the players gain strength from the centre, or core, while "limiting the amount of stress on the joints. It gave them greater range of motion, and exposed some of their weaknesses."