If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old.
If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.
Joseph Pilates
If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old.
If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Pilates?
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early part of the 20th century, Pilates is a unique, full-body exercise system with exercises performed on a mat or on special equipment created by Joseph Pilates that emphasizes spring resistance. Joseph Pilates believed that the mind played a vital role in body conditioning and designed the method around six guiding principles: breath, control, precision, centering, concentration and flow. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core of the body and creates flexibility in the arms, legs and supporting muscle groups—it fortifies the mind-body connection and increases kinesthetic awareness.
2. What is so special about Pilates?
Pilates is a truly effective workout that completely engages your body and your mind. It is low impact and emphasizes quality over quantity. Everyone can do Pilates—regardless of age or fitness level. Whatever your personal goals—whether you need to recover from an injury, correct an imbalance created from bad posture and/or repetitive motion, enhance your athletic routine, or tone and shape your body—Pilates is an efficient method for success. You’ll see results quickly as you learn a truly enjoyable form of exercise.
3. What should I wear to sessions?
Pilates is practiced in bare feet or grip socks. Wear close-fitting comfortable exercise clothes of lightweight cotton or another breathable fabric. You’ll spend a lot of the session on your back so you won’t want to wear a ponytail or bun in your hair. You’ll also want to remove large or dangling jewelry for safety and comfort.
4. Do I need to bring anything to the session?
You may take small sips of water throughout the session so bring a bottle of water. If towels aren’t provided, bring one towel to place on your mat and another for underneath your head and neck.
5. Can I eat or drink before session?
The core—or center of your body—is the basis for all Pilate exercises. You will use your abdominal muscles constantly. To avoid discomfort don’t eat the hour before your session. To concentrate and work effectively you need to be well nourished so don’t starve yourself—just don’t eat the hour before class. The same goes with water—slow down to sips the hour before class. Don’t do Pilates with a full bladder—feel free to use the restroom at any time.
6. Are there instructional terms I should be familiar with?
There are many terms and verbal cues used in Pilates instruction—you’ll find them helpful throughout your practice. See Section III for a list of the most frequently used cues. You should always feel free to speak up and ask if a particular cue isn’t clear to you.
7. How should I breathe during exercises?
Deep breathing is an important part of your Pilates practice. It sets the tempo and helps you to stay in proper alignment. For each movement you’ll inhale into the back of the rib cage to prepare for exertion, you’ll deeply exhale just before and throughout exertion. For more on breathing and other principles see Section II.
8. What should I look out for?
Stop if you feel any sharp pain, or straining in the neck or back. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to speak up—exercises can be modified to make them safe and effective for you.* You should understand the difference between the good pain that accompanies a strong workout and the bad pain that can signal a problem—see Section III for more on pain signals.
9. How often should I do Pilates?
The more time you spend working, the more improvements you’ll see. You can do Pilates every day. At minimum, try to do Pilates 2-4 times per week. Consistent practice will help you master the exercises and principles. It will also support the mind-body connection that is such an integral part of the Pilates method.
10. How do I incorporate Pilates into my current fitness regime?
Pilates increases strength, flexibility and coordination—and as such is the perfect complement to any fitness or training regime. As noted above, try to fit in at least 2 instructed Pilates sessions into your weekly routine.
11. How can I practice at home?
Once you’ve learned a mat exercise, practice it at home. Start slowly, doing one or two exercises from each class to build your home routine. Be sure you feel comfortable and confident that you are in proper alignment and executed the movements with precision. Another option is to purchase a video to add practice at home on days you don’t have an instruction—ask your instructor for a recommendation. But remember, the same guidelines apply… wait until you have had enough instruction to perform the exercises with accuracy.
* If you are pregnant or have a medical condition such as osteoporosis, heart problems, herniated disks or glaucoma, seek the counsel of your healthcare professional.
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early part of the 20th century, Pilates is a unique, full-body exercise system with exercises performed on a mat or on special equipment created by Joseph Pilates that emphasizes spring resistance. Joseph Pilates believed that the mind played a vital role in body conditioning and designed the method around six guiding principles: breath, control, precision, centering, concentration and flow. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core of the body and creates flexibility in the arms, legs and supporting muscle groups—it fortifies the mind-body connection and increases kinesthetic awareness.
2. What is so special about Pilates?
Pilates is a truly effective workout that completely engages your body and your mind. It is low impact and emphasizes quality over quantity. Everyone can do Pilates—regardless of age or fitness level. Whatever your personal goals—whether you need to recover from an injury, correct an imbalance created from bad posture and/or repetitive motion, enhance your athletic routine, or tone and shape your body—Pilates is an efficient method for success. You’ll see results quickly as you learn a truly enjoyable form of exercise.
3. What should I wear to sessions?
Pilates is practiced in bare feet or grip socks. Wear close-fitting comfortable exercise clothes of lightweight cotton or another breathable fabric. You’ll spend a lot of the session on your back so you won’t want to wear a ponytail or bun in your hair. You’ll also want to remove large or dangling jewelry for safety and comfort.
4. Do I need to bring anything to the session?
You may take small sips of water throughout the session so bring a bottle of water. If towels aren’t provided, bring one towel to place on your mat and another for underneath your head and neck.
5. Can I eat or drink before session?
The core—or center of your body—is the basis for all Pilate exercises. You will use your abdominal muscles constantly. To avoid discomfort don’t eat the hour before your session. To concentrate and work effectively you need to be well nourished so don’t starve yourself—just don’t eat the hour before class. The same goes with water—slow down to sips the hour before class. Don’t do Pilates with a full bladder—feel free to use the restroom at any time.
6. Are there instructional terms I should be familiar with?
There are many terms and verbal cues used in Pilates instruction—you’ll find them helpful throughout your practice. See Section III for a list of the most frequently used cues. You should always feel free to speak up and ask if a particular cue isn’t clear to you.
7. How should I breathe during exercises?
Deep breathing is an important part of your Pilates practice. It sets the tempo and helps you to stay in proper alignment. For each movement you’ll inhale into the back of the rib cage to prepare for exertion, you’ll deeply exhale just before and throughout exertion. For more on breathing and other principles see Section II.
8. What should I look out for?
Stop if you feel any sharp pain, or straining in the neck or back. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid to speak up—exercises can be modified to make them safe and effective for you.* You should understand the difference between the good pain that accompanies a strong workout and the bad pain that can signal a problem—see Section III for more on pain signals.
9. How often should I do Pilates?
The more time you spend working, the more improvements you’ll see. You can do Pilates every day. At minimum, try to do Pilates 2-4 times per week. Consistent practice will help you master the exercises and principles. It will also support the mind-body connection that is such an integral part of the Pilates method.
10. How do I incorporate Pilates into my current fitness regime?
Pilates increases strength, flexibility and coordination—and as such is the perfect complement to any fitness or training regime. As noted above, try to fit in at least 2 instructed Pilates sessions into your weekly routine.
11. How can I practice at home?
Once you’ve learned a mat exercise, practice it at home. Start slowly, doing one or two exercises from each class to build your home routine. Be sure you feel comfortable and confident that you are in proper alignment and executed the movements with precision. Another option is to purchase a video to add practice at home on days you don’t have an instruction—ask your instructor for a recommendation. But remember, the same guidelines apply… wait until you have had enough instruction to perform the exercises with accuracy.
* If you are pregnant or have a medical condition such as osteoporosis, heart problems, herniated disks or glaucoma, seek the counsel of your healthcare professional.
