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Pilates
Pilates (pronounced puh-lah-teez) is a method of exercise and physical movement
designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body. Pilates achieves these
goals through specific exercises combined with focused breathing patterns. Pilates
has proven itself an excellent method not only in maintaining overall fitness
and health, but also as a highly beneficial component of professional sports
training and physical rehabilitation of all kinds.
Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that engage the mind and
condition the total body. Pilates is a balanced combination of strength and
flexibility training that improves posture, reduces stress and creates long,
lean muscles—all without adding any bulk. Pilates works several muscle groups
simultaneously through smooth, continuous movements, with a special concentration
on strengthening and stabilizing the core. The core, sometimes referred to as
the body’s “powerhouse,” refers to the muscles of the:
· Abdomen
· Back
· Pelvic girdle region
The focus in Pilates is on the quality of movement rather than quantity. Thus,
one feels energized rather than exhausted after a Pilates session. Pilates takes
a balanced approach so that no muscle group is overworked and the body works
as an efficient, holistic system both in sport and in everyday activity.
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