About Pilates
Called the "art of control" or "Contrology" by its German-born creator, Joseph H. Pilates, Pilates is, in the most simple terms, a method of body conditioning. It consists of over 500 exercises performed on the mat and on spring-based apparatus that work to simultaneously lengthen and strengthen the muscles of the body.
The method teaches the body to initiate and control all movement from the core or "powerhouse", the abdominals, buttocks, hips, lower back and inner thighs. Pilates emphasizes stretching and strengthening equally and also stresses the connection between the mind and the body. Guided by the mind's strict control, the body moves through each exercise as precisely as possible, using only the muscles the mind chooses to activate.
As a result, the exercises are so efficient at conditioning the muscles that they require very few repetitions. The mind will never be bored and the body will never be overworked or injured.