The History of Pilates
Selena Rymore
There's nothing "new" about the hottest exercise trend to sweep the world of men's and women's fitness.
The Pilates Method has experienced a popularity explosion in recent years, sweeping across North America, Asia, and Europe. This type of exercise was actually developed in the early 20th century by a German national named Joseph Pilates, and the methods are really very simple.
Joseph Pilates originally named his exercise form "The Art of Contrology", and it involved the basic concept of using the mind to control the muscles. That basic idea evolved into a more complex exercise program, with great attention paid to the core postural muscles. These core muscles, it's believed, provide support for the spine and help to keep the body balanced.
As World War I raged on, Joseph Pilates was one of a group of German nationals placed under forced internment in Lancaster, England. As a trained nurse, Mr. Pilates was investigating ways to rehabilitate bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic.
Amassing all that he had learned in those twenty years of self-study, Joseph Pilates applied his vast knowledge of yoga, Zen and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens and created a series of movements that could be practiced within the confines of this controlled environment. He taught these movements and concepts to his fellow camp members and devised the original system of exercises, now known as "mat work". This initial exercise regimen of "contrology" was successfully performed by many of Pilates' fellow WWI detainees in the cramped quarters they shared.
Of course, there is much more to the Pilates Method than just a combination of physical movements. The program was built on the belief that physical health needs mental health, and vice-versa. That's why to so many people, the Pilates Method is actually a system of total body conditioning. These are movements and physical practices that strengthen the body while emphasizing proper alignment, concentration, precision, centering, control, breathing and flowing movements. Today, many years later, those same principles provide the basis of the modern Pilates Method.
Physical exercise was an important element of Mr. Pilates' concept, although this aspect differed from more traditional regimes. Rather than performing a series of repetitions of each exercise, Joseph Pilates developed a program of precise movements that required form and control. In all, Pilates designed over 500 of these very specific exercises to be included in his Pilates Method. The Pilates 'mat work' exercises are most frequently used, involving a series of callisthenic motions performed on a padded mat, without the use of apparatus or added weights.
Following the development of the initial mat work, Joseph Pilates designed five major pieces of unique exercise equipment. He claimed that these machines would provide optimal results. Modern Pilates classes distinguish the mat and machine exercises separately, but the original Pilates Method combined both equipment exercises and mat work.
Most of the exercises involved in the original Pilates Method were developed to create an awareness of the neutral alignment of the spine. These exercises would strengthen the deep postural muscles that support the spine's natural alignment, playing a vital role in preventing or alleviating back pain.
A recent development in the Pilates Method is known as Gravity Pilates. Those practicing gravity Pilates believe that the body's "powerhouse" is a combination of the lower back, abdomen and buttocks areas. When these areas are supported and strengthened, the rest of the body is able to move more freely.
Many men and women trust the Pilates method for rehabilitation and physical fitness. It is still a popular exercise program for celebrities and fitness buffs, and it's just as popular with physical therapists as rehabilitation exercises. When practicing Pilates, the weight of your own body is used to train your muscles and increase your strength and flexibility.
While there is nothing "new" about the Pilates Method, the program continues to gain popularity as more and more people discover its many benefits.
Columnist Selena Rymore contributes to numerous Internet sites, on http://pathbreaking.com/ fitness program and http://www.shop4body.com/ beauty shopping guide issues. You can get a http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=26794&b=79 unique content version of this article.
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