The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning is a complete system of exercises specifically designed to strengthen and stretch the body at the same time. Joe Pilates called this concept “Contrology” because it demands focus and teaches awareness as well as total control. He believed that the mind should have the ability to control the body. He focused his method around six key principles: Centering, Control, Concentration, Precision, Breath and Flow. By practicing the Pilates method with these six principles in mind, you will experience improved strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, control, energy, alignment and awareness, which no other exercise can offer.

The exercises all initiate from the muscles in the abdominals, hips, buttocks, inner thighs, and lower back. Because these muscles generate so much power, Joseph Pilates called them the “powerhouse”. Although the arms and legs also get to do their share of work, the torso, which contains the powerhouse, should be the focus of all of the movements.

I often use the example of a stick figure to explain the importance of the powerhouse to my beginning clients: Imagine this stick figure sculpture with very thick, strong, steel arms and legs. (Which is usually how we determine someone’s overall strength, and what many people like to focus on when they go to the gym to work out.) What about the torso? Now imagine the torso is made of a piece of tissue paper. Then what good does it do to have such strong legs and arms? Not much, especially since the torso contains the spine and powerhouse. However, strength is only the foundation. To balance the strength one must also be flexible. Joe Pilates used to say, “If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.”

Many of us these days spend a lot of time in front of a computer or on our feet with incorrect posture. Eventually, tension and stiffness develop and become harder to reverse or undo. Flexibility and strength together create a body that enables you to do the things you like to do, with ease and without pain or injury. Over time, Pilates relieves back pain and sciatica, and rids the body of other aches and pains simply by improving posture and alignment. Every session is specifically tailored to the individual body with great attention paid to detail. Male, female, young, old, super-fit athlete or couch potato, Pilates can work for you. There is no age or fitness level that cannot benefit from the teachings of Pilates. Joe Pilates said, “In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference, and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body.” It is a workout that will carry into your daily life, and what you learn will last a lifetime. Just ask anyone who has tried it!