FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What
exactly is Pilates?
Unlike most traditional methods of exercise, such as aerobics
or weight-training, Pilates is an intense workout that incorporates
a combination of both - mind and body. The specifically designed
sequence of movements focuses on the core of the body, lengthening
muscles and supporting bones. It also emphasizes the discipline
of movement, precision, optimizing postural alignment and muscle
balance. You learn to move with maximum efficiency while minimizing
stress and impact on your body.
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What
is everyone talking about?
Pilates is not like any other exercise regimen you’ve ever
done. The program is a unique and individual style of exercises
performed on specially designed apparatus. Don’t let the
look of the apparatus scare you! They are easy and safe to use
with proper instruction from our highly trained Pacific Pilates
instructors. There is an extensive repertoire of over 500 exercises
and we promise that you’ll never be bored working on apparatus
like the Cadillac Table, Reformer, Wunda Chair, Barrels and more.
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Will
Pilates help my problem areas?
Imagine every exercise we do - every minute is engaging all of
your target areas - buttock, stomach, inner & outer thighs
- it’s all just CRAZY GREAT. And all you men out there don’t
be fooled; it will strengthen your back, increase flexibility
and more!
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What
if I have old injuries or orthopedic issues?
Pilates is the ideal exercise for individuals undergoing physical
therapy for an injury or recovering from an illness (with your
doctor’s permission). This is because Joseph Pilates specifically
created the method around injured soldiers, to accelerate their
recovery. The method addresses biomechanical issues that, if ignored,
can work against you when you are performing more traditional
workouts with an injury. The highly trained instructors from Pacific
Pilates will safely guide you through the method - with over 500
exercises there are many modifications that can give you the results
while minimizing the impact on joints and injuries.
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So
it's low impact? “You work the apparatus, it doesn’t
work you?”
Pilates is a whole body workout that requires you to think and
work at a whole new level with your body. Pilates naturally teaches
each muscle in your body to work effectively and simultaneously.
On the apparatus, you will be concentrating and focusing to control
specific movements with specific muscles. Pilates focuses on control,
deep muscle strengthening, lengthening and flexibility.
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What
kinds of results will I see?
You will notice that Pilates, when done correctly and consistently,
can change your body like no other workout. While weight-resistance
training builds bulk, Pilates is designed to strengthen and lengthen
muscles, producing a lean and toned body. Pilates focuses on total
control of the body, flexibility and symmetry. You will notice
that the Pilates body is leaner, stronger and more balanced than
the average body and from a physical standpoint, Pilates respects
your joints and helps avoid injury. The benefits from Pilates
will go way beyond the improvements in your physical appearance.
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Great!
But how long will it take to see those results?
Once you begin developing your core strength, which is essential
to your Pilates workout, results are almost immediately seen.
As you continue to develop your powerhouse, your practice will
become increasingly more advanced. You will become stronger with
every workout. “Within ten sessions you feel different,
within twenty sessions you look different, and by thirty sessions,
you will have a whole new body”. Joseph H Pilates
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How
often do you recommend a Pilates workout?
In the beginning, your body is learning a lot of new information
and your mind to body connection is being established, so consistency
is more important than frequency. The optimal recommendation is
three Pilates sessions per week; however, people do see great
results with just two. In short, the more consistently you provide
your body with this new information, the more quickly your body
will assimilate and adapt. With Pilates in your life, you will
notice improvements in your posture, the way you walk, your coordination,
your flexibility, and your strength. There’s more good news!
When you train in Pilates using consistent techniques your body
responds by remembering these techniques and incorporates them
into your everyday life. You will also notice that when your body
is performing simple, repetitive, daily tasks, it becomes habitual
with fluidity and grace.
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What
if I can only do Pilates once a week?
Once a week is probably not enough to obtain drastic results over
a short period of time, but even once a week will improve your
flexibility and coordination in the long run. It all depends on
your own personal goals.
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Why
is private instruction recommended prior to group classes?
For a beginning Pilates enthusiast, it is essential to get connected
to your body. The Pilates workout must first awaken the smaller
muscle groups. This comes with specific training on the movements
and stances inside the Beginners Program. Before Pilates, our
bodies are dominated by the larger muscle groups. Training the
body to work as a whole complete system you will produce the results
faster and more effectively. Since Pilates is all about honoring
the body, it is imperative to make sure you are not adding unnecessary
stresses to your neck, shoulders, or lower back by improper alignment
when performing the routine.
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Do
I have to give up my current routine?
Always do what empowers YOUR body and mind. If you find that doing
both supports your needs by all means go for it! The authentic
form of Pilates that we teach is a deep, some would say, profound
experience. There is so much to be learned from each and every
exercise that it makes a big difference to really perfect the
foundation - the more you are in touch with your body, the better
the results you will produce. Any other routines you are currently
participating in will only be enhanced by Pilates.
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Do
“men” participate in Pilates?
Absolutely. All Pacific Pilates clientele have benefited greatly.
For all men, from professional athletes to the average couch potato,
Pilates is for ANYONE wanting to improve strength and flexibility.
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What
do I wear?
Shoes are not worn, clean socks are a must! Comfortable clothing
to move freely in. We suggest long workout pants as opposed to
shorts and a snug fitted shirt.
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Who
is Joseph Pilates?
Joseph Hubertus Pilates Joseph H. Pilates was born near Düsseldorf,
Germany in 1880. He suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic
fever as a child and because of this he was determined to overcome
health problems through a dedication to physical fitness. By age
14, Pilates had already achieved his goals boasting a body of
perfect fitness, which he modeled for German medical anatomy charts.
He studied diverse movement arts including yoga, martial arts,
boxing, ancient Grecian and Roman regimens. Pilates focused on
developing mind and body together, specifically by integrating
the practice of spiritual and physical arts.
At the breakout of World War I, Pilates was touring England. He
was interned into a camp for "enemy aliens". Here, he
trained fellow detainees, and began to develop his original method
of exercise, which he would call “Contrology”. Pilates
built the first apparatus to rehabilitate those injured and diseased
in the camp. Initially, he used parts from bedsprings, mattresses,
and other materials available. Later he created apparatuses, like
the Reformer and Cadillac, utilizing spring resistance to create
open movement in all bodies.
At the end of WWI an influenza epidemic spread worldwide. To his
credit, not a single person in his camp died of this infection.
Furthermore, the camp Warden made Pilates' method mandatory for
all in the camp, including prisoners, guards, and the warden himself.
During the 1920’s, Pilates left Germany for New York City
where he met his future wife. Clara was an American nurse who
then suffered symptoms of arthritis. Joe Pilates offered to cure
her arthritis through his method. Together, they founded the first
Pilates Studio in New York City in 1923.
Pilates dedicated his life and humanitarian intellect to his method.
He continued sharing his training with others as well as developing
exercises, routines, apparatuses, and expressing his ideas in
writing. As his methods grew more popular, Pilates soon established
a following in the dance community with such famous dancers as
Martha Graham and George Balanchine. These famous choreographers
were soon recommending their own students for Pilates training.
Tragedy struck in 1966 when his studio caught fire. Pilates sacrificed
himself to salvage what he could of his documentation, scores
of photographs, and apparatuses. Much of the studio's contents
were lost. As a result of the fire, Joseph H. Pilates died from
his lung injuries at age 86. Pilates left the world with the invaluable
creations of his mind: his method, apparatus, writings, and the
teachers he'd trained.
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©
2008 Pacific Pilates 1603 Aviation Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310)
406-1431
