CoreFocused

pilates personal training

' Fitness for Life'

1. Who & What is Pilates?

Joseph H. Pilates (1880-1967) was born in Germany. He was a sickly boy with asthma & rickets. He was determined to overcome his ailments. He developed exercises and apparatus over the course of many years that assisted him in developing a physique that was strong, powerful and moved with ease. He shared his method of exercise with injured soldiers while they were interned on the Isle of Man during World War I. During that time, the 1918 Flu epidemic inflicted and killed many in England. The interned soldiers were spared; it may be in part because Joseph Pilates exercises required the body to fully move, facilitating the movement of the lymphatic system, and consequently boosting the immune system. In 1926 Joseph Pilates immigrated to the United States, meeting his future wife Clara on the boat ride across the Atlantic Ocean. Joseph & Clara settled in New York City, setting up the first official "Pilates" studio. During his lifetime Joseph Pilates refer to his work as "The Art of Contrology". He developed a clientele of devout ballet dancers, performers, boxers, and business men.

The Pilates method of exercise is over 500 exercises done on mat, or on various Pilates equipment such as the reformer, chair, barrels, and cadillac. Pilates is a mind-body exercise. Pilates exercise requires mental focus in order to isolate muscles and then recruit them in a specific order. Pilates exercise is a great stress buster because the mind-body focus is so strong one must let go of all other thoughts and stresses. The Pilates breath also contributes to stress release. Pilates exercise will develop core abdominal strength, shoulder girdle stability, improved posture, and a sense of overall well being.

2. What is STOTT PILATES®?

STOTT PILATES is based on the principles set by Joseph H. Pilates and incorporates modern exercise science & emphasizes neutral alignment, core stability & peripheral mobility. From 1984-1986 Moira Stott, an injured ballet dancer, was rehabilitated under the direction of one of Joseph Pilates original students, Romana Kryzanowska. Moira Stott became a 2nd generation Pilates Instructor and collaborated with Physical Therapist and Sports Medicine Professionals to create STOTT PILATES, a conservative and safe approach to Pilates exercise.

Moira Stott was born in England and moved to Bermuda at young age where she trained with the Russian School of Ballet. She also studied with England's Ballet Rambert before immigrating to Canada in 1976. For 7 years She was a principal dancer for the City Ballet of Toronto.In 1984 a foot injury led Moira to be introduced to Pilates by 1st generation Pilates Instructor, Romana Kryzanowska. Moira Stott studied with Romana in New York City for two years and return to Toronto and refined the Pilates exercise system collaborating with Physical Therapists & Sports Medicine Professionals.

STOTT PILATES studio was founded in 1988 in Toronto, Canada by Moira Stott & her husband, Lindsay Merrithew,and has become an internationally known company. There are now more that 12,000 certified STOTT PILATES instructors. STOTT PILATES mission is to promote the benefits of mind-body fitness worldwide.

3. How is Pilates similar to & different from Yoga?

Pilates like Yoga is a mind-body exercise which can yield better overall health. The emphasis of Pilates is toning & strengthening the midsection as well as balancing opposing muscles of the torso and the limbs. The Pilates breath may be different than particular types of yoga. The STOTT PILATES method of breathing involves breathing in through the nose and into the lower lobes of the lungs, filling the ribcage post laterally, and not filling the abdominal area. The exhale is elongated by blowing out through pursed lips.

4. Is Pilates exercise beneficial for people with back issues?

Yes, after receiving an okay from your Physician, Pilates can be an excellent form of rehabilitation after experiencing back pain. The Pilates method of exercise teaches the client to isolate the prime stabilizers of the body and to recruit them when necessary as well as proper postural alignment. Overtime strength is built and confidence regained in ones movement. Pilates exercises focus on the whole body not just the injured area. Pilates exercise re-educates the way we move and creates optimal muscle firing patterns, reducing the potential for re-injury.

5. What are the benefits to practicing Pilates exercises?

6. Is Pilates exercise a cardio workout?

Pilates exercise can be a cardio workout at an advanced level but in general it is not. For a complete workout, Pilates should be combined with your favorite cardio workout such as swimming, running, hiking, or biking. CoreFocused, LLC does offer Pilates jump board workouts as well as Spinning for a cardio component to your session.

7. Is Pilates exercise only practiced by women?

No, Pilates exercise is practiced by men & women. Pilates exercises were created by Joseph Pilates who taught his method not only to New York City Ballet Dancers but to Boxers/Prize Fighters and business men. Pilates exercise is a favorite for Professional athletes who want to enhance their skills and lengthen their athletic careers. Tiger Woods includes Pilates exercise in his conditioning program to name just one. Pilates exercise is for almost everyone, young & old, man or woman. It is very adaptable especially with the use of the Pilates Studio apparatus.

8. What is SPINNING®?

SPINNING is an indoor cycling program that includes many advanced athletic training methods, including heart rate training and the mental aspects of exercise. SPINNING is a journey to health & fitness. You do not need to be a seasoned athlete to enjoy it. All that is required is focus & determination.

Johnny G. (Goldberg) created the SPINNING program in 1987 in California. He is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa - hence his South African English Accent. Johnny G's fitness journey started as a swimmer turned body builder, turned triathlete, turned ultra-distance cyclist as well as a martial artist. In 1986 he was training for RAAM, Race Across America, an endurance cycling race where riders average close to 300 miles/day. His wife, Jodi, needed Johnny's help through a difficult pregnancy. In order to continue his training, Johnny G hand built a stationary bike that had the same feel as his road bike. After training himself and a group of friends on his special bikes in his garage, he decided to create a fun music & instructor inspiring cycling program for people of all fitness levels. Johnny G. created his own company, Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. At a Fitness trade show in 1995, Johnny G rode his stationary bike all 4 days of the conference to amazed crowds. Interest in his SPINNING program took off and the rest is history. More than 200,000 people in 60 countries ride their way to mind/body health everyday.

9. What is AIS?

AIS stands for Active Isolated Stretching. AIS is a maximum 2 second stretching method that has profound results. Aaron Mattes created Active Isolated Stretching 35 years ago and continues to refine it. Aaron Mattes is an advisor/consultant to Olympic athletes, sports teams, and college and professional athletes. He received his Master of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Illinois. AIS like Pilates involves very specifically identifying & isolating muscles. Active Isolated stretching can be performed with the assistance of an 8' rope or strap and or an AIS therapist. Muscles are isolated in a relaxed state and than incrementally stretched for no more than two seconds. Complete release of the stretch occurs after each stretch with no more than 10 repetitions. With each release after a 2 second stretch, pathways are opened to the muscle - blood flows in nourishing the muscle while metabolic waste flows out. Active Isolated Stretching can be performed as a warm-up or cool-down as well as rehab. AIS facilitates complete range of motion in a joint which when coupled with a strength component equals efficiency & power in one's movements.