History of origin
The founder of the technique, Joseph Hubert Pilates, suffered from asthma, rheumatic fever, rickets and other ailments as a child. It was willpower and the desire to overcome illness that contributed to the creation of the now popular exercise system. Thanks to regular classes, Joseph Pilates managed not only to improve his health, but also to have an athletic physique at the age of 15.
Initially, the human body was considered by Joseph Pilates exclusively as a holistic system, the parts of which must interact optimally. And the exercise technique itself is based on the fact that each exercise calls into action a large number of muscles without any division into small individual muscle groups. Already during the First World War, the Pilates rehabilitation training system contributed to the recovery of even bedridden patients, and by the 90s it began to be widely used by both traumatologists and employees of rehabilitation centers.
Basic principles of Pilates
Although the original technique has changed somewhat over time, the basic principles remain the same – concentration, centering, breathing, smooth movements, isolation, control and regularity.
Pilates is unlikely to help those who want to quickly lose weight, since all the movements are static and slow, but they are surprisingly effective when working on problem areas. For example, regular classes help reduce fat deposits on the hips, and also tighten the muscles of the abdomen, buttocks and chest. In addition, Pilates improves coordination of movements, increases strength, flexibility and endurance, eliminates imbalances in the work of internal organs, corrects posture, allows you to properly adjust your breathing, relieves tension and eliminates stress.
The basis of the Pilates system is not just a set of physical exercises for different parts of the human body. It is necessary to perform each exercise with a special breathing rhythm, focus on the correct execution of each movement and clearly understand its effect on a certain group of muscles. Almost all exercises are aimed at training a group of muscles near the spine, which are the supporting muscles. Sharp movements in Pilates are excluded and therefore exercises smoothly move from one to another without stops and pauses. The method of deep breathing involved in this enriches with oxygen precisely those muscles that are engaged in performing the exercise. Always use exercises mats to stay save from weather effects.
What makes Pilates popular?
In addition to all the above-mentioned advantages, the secret of the growing popularity of Pilates is also that you do not need a lot of space or special equipment to practice. All you need is a regular exercise mat and honesty with yourself, since the exercises must be performed correctly and with full dedication. According to Joseph Pilates, how the exercises are performed is much more important than how many times you repeat or how much effort you put into each movement.
