Stretch. Strength. Control.

"I can say it in words but it won’t mean anything. You must do it to understand."

Joseph Pilates - Dec 1946

Pilates is a Mind/Body conditioning method developed nearly a century ago by Joseph H. Pilates, an accomplished skier, diver, gymnast and boxer. The classic system consisted originally of a series of 34 exercises performed on a mat sequentially, designed to stretch, strengthen, and improve alignment of the body.

Today there are over 500 variations, executed on either a mat, using pilates accessories, or on the original equipment. Once the best kept secret to the rich and famous, dancers and actors, today Pilates is growing fast, and is being recognized not only by Hollywood, but by physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths as the ideal fitness program.

Pilates has been proven to enhance the body aesthetically with a sleek sculpted look, improving postural imbalances, relieving tension pain while increasing overall energy & vitality. Train with confidence with a certified and experienced Pilates121 instructor who will provide a safe, healthy, and engaging workout every time.

Some of the amazing benefits of Pilates121 workouts:

• Powerful strong deep abdominals
• Sculpted toned muscles (no bulk)
• Better Posture
• Increased lung capacity circulation
• Increased coordination (muscle mental)
• Better body awareness

The foundation for Pilates Strength comes from your core abdominals, otherwise known as ‘the powerhouse’. Learning to use these muscles effectively works the body as a whole, and will develop strong abdominal, back, butt, and deep postural muscles. That said, you would not overwork large muscles and ignore the smaller ones - this would only create bulk. The results you’d get from Pilates are much more balanced - long and lean muscles like those of a dancers, or of ancient Roman or Greek statues.
When Pilates is done efficiently and regularly, one can expect to see a trimmer waistline, flatter stomach, and toned butt and thighs. Moreover, it will make you appear taller, and more elegant, giving you beautiful posture, grace, and ease of movement which will translate into your everyday tasks.

Pilates is considered intelligent exercise, and one must be able to master this mental component.  It is not a boring, repetitive workout; in fact you aren’t required to do more than 10 reps of any one exercise.
Pilates movements are designed so well, that one must execute them with focus and precision, rhythm, control and specific breathing prompts to fully benefit. This must all be achieved while keeping one’s core abdominal muscles (or powerhouse) engaged.
That said, use your mind to concentrate.  Concentrate to control the movements of your body.