Will I lose weight doing Pilates?

A lot of it will depend on your own genetics, diet and other exercise you incorporate into your lifestyle.  Pilates will help you work toward a healthier lifestyle.  Pilates is known for toning muscles and improving posture – creating lean muscle mass which is one of the best ways to increase your calorie burning potential.  Pilates will help you alleviate pain, will help you lose inches Pilates  will change the way your body which will change the way you look.  Like anything you do this will not happen over night.  But if you stick with it, it will happen.

What is mat Pilates?

Mat Classes are a mixture of fitness styles and classic Pilates done on the floor without the equipment.

Joseph Pilates invented the mat work first. Designed to strengthen and tone the body through controlled exercises, proper breathing, and flowing movements.  We pay close attention to each individual student as they learn to move their own bodies through space. We offer Sheppard Method style mat work, Gyrotonic, and individual mat work along with the original choreography that Joseph Pilates designed.

Each class is small in size, therefore individual attention is assured.  Hands on stretching are performed to insure the client achieves optimal benefits.  Learning to move ones own body with ease, agility, and strength are our goals.   Plus, we have a good time with a lot of hard work.

Students love to come to our mat classes, and are assured a beneficial time no matter your level.

What makes Pilates so unique?

Pilates benefits all aspects of the body, and is right for every age and lifestyle.  It enhances whatever you are doing, or can be done alone.  Pilates yields numerous benefits such as increased spine mobility, increased muscle flexibly, improved posture, decreased back pain, decrease for lumbar surgeries, improved bone density Increased stamina, and increase of immune system. There is no one that cannot benefit from Pilates.

How often should I take Pilates sessions?

We recommend 2-3 times a week.  This can be broken up into one mat class, one equipment class, or two equipment classes.  If you can only do Pilates once a week that is better than not doing it at all, if you can only take one class we recommend a equipment class over a mat class.

Can I do Pilates everyday?

Yes.  You are doing Pilates everyday simply by thinking of your body center, breathing properly and walking with confidence and agility. Every time you do Pilates, it makes you act with more confidence and grace.

Who can benefit from Pilates?

Everyone can benefit from Pilates.  Dancers take Pilates to strengthen their cores and increase strength.  Elderly take Pilates to keep the movement they have.

I am already coordinated and fit. Do I still need to take the Introductory Private Sessions?

Yes.  Even the most coordinated of people may still feel uncoordinated when first practicing Pilates.  Combining the breathe, the movement and the sequencing can be challenging.  This is why it is a mind exercise as much as it is a body exercise.

Do I need to be in shape to start Pilates?

No. The important thing with any exercise regiment you incorporate into your life is just doing it.  Starting can be the hardest part, keeping it up can be even harder.  You will feel better and that will help keep you  on track.  Each instructor works with the client to discover their own personal perfection.  Pilates is for everyone from children to elderly, athletes to the everyday person.  You are never too old or too out of shape.  Everyone starts from the same place, even the healthiest and fit people.  Pilates will show you how you can correct your posture and how we hold ourselves incorrectly and how to fix that problem.  Pilates is suitable for all fitness levels and for all body types.  We can work you hard or work you easy.

How is Pilates different from Yoga?

Both Pilates and Yoga are mind-body systems that focus on breath control.  Pilates is practiced on a thicker mat or on equipment where Yoga is done soley on a thinner mat.
Pilates works your muscles from the inside out.
Yoga focuses more on meditation, depending on the level and is usually practiced as a class with 5-20 participants(but can be one on one).  Pilates can be practiced in a class setting but is usually practiced privately one on one.

What Is Pilates?

Pilates is a system of exercises designed by German born Joseph Pilates.  In 1926 Joseph and Clara brought their exercise system, originally called contrology to New York City. Joseph Pilates called his system Body Contrology.  It was designed to create long lean muscles developed in a controlled and concentrated manner with a strong emphasis on proper breathing and alignment.  Each movement is carefully designed to improve the students posture, strength and balance.
The equipment used in Pilates allows for fluid movement, creating a deeper range of movement and increased coordination.
“Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.  You purposefully acquire complete control of your own body and then through proper repetition of its exercises you gradually and progressively acquire the natural rhythm and coordination associated with all your mental and subconscious activities.