What Makes Pilates Unique
By Korrie Sudweeks

It’s been a stressful day and my client walks in the studio door ready for her session.  We start the warm up with deep breathing, finding core muscles and add small pelvic movements to warm up the back muscles, which have been slumped forward all day.  My client then gets on the reformer and lets out a sigh.  As the breathing pattern coordinates the movement of the carriage, her face relaxes, her eyes close, her awareness on her body, she is on a vacation from her hectic day.

Pilates is a highly effective way to reduce stress and to improve body awareness and posture. It equally engages the mind as well as the body.  Doing pilates requires your full attention and concentration. You actually can’t focus on anything else if you’re doing it right; another reason why pilates helps us let go of the pressures of the day.

The uniqueness of Pilates is that every movement begins in the core muscles.  These muscles are commonly overlooked.  They lie deep within the abdomen and surround the spine. There are many benefits to strengthening our core muscles including: greater efficiency of movement, improved body control and balance, increased power output from both the core musculature and peripheral muscles such as the shoulders, arms and legs, reduced risk of injury (the core muscles act as shock absorbers for jumps and rebounds etc.), and improved balance and stability.

Pilates promotes uniform alignment of all muscle groups. Many of my clients come to pilates with injuries like low back pain.  Beginning with the first session they feel better, but with further sessions they also look better as well.

Pilates uses a spring resistance system the works the muscles both directions.  Pilates focuses on strengthening without the constant shortening of muscles that occur with weight lifting, giving you a longer, leaner look. When taught correctly, pilates may be the toughest form of exercise you have ever tried.