Kinesiology & Pilates
Optimal Movement Kinesiology and Pilates combines the knowledge from Kinesiology and the power of the Pilates Principals with Fascial Stretch Therapy so you can achieve your Optimal Movement and health enjoyment.
What is Pilates?
Pilates (or “Contrology” as it was initially called) is an exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century that engages the mind to create whole body movement patterns that strengthen muscles, increases flexibility and improves overall health. Joseph Pilates originally created his training system as a method of improving his own health and fostering his impression of the ideal man by matching a strong, well trained physique with a strong, well trained mind. Core strengthening, improved balance, flexibility, coordination and stress reduction and rejuvenation can all be achieved through regular Pilates training.
Pilates training can create a long, lean appearance, toning muscles without excess bulk. Exercises are performed with a focus on the breath, proper form and alignment, creating efficient movement with economy of effort and a sense of ease. Balance is created throughout the body by lengthening muscles that are short and tight (ex. hip flexors, chest muscles) and strengthening what is weak or overstretched (ex. the upper back, core abdominals and hip stabilizers).
The exercises are low impact and relatively safe, often done lying down or sitting, with equipment or on the mat, and there are many options for modifications making Pilates appropriate to anyone wanting to learn to move better and improve their quality of life. Those who train with the Pilates technique will find their centre, a place from which they can then move more powerfully. Through regular practice, one will begin to find the joy in movement through the flow and creativity of the technique, allowing each exercise to be an exploration experience, fostering a healthy body, mind and spirit. Over time, one will develop their ability to move with strength, while allowing for a sense of ease and grace.
Pilates sessions can be for the purpose of:
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- Physical fitness – improving flexibility, strength, stability, balance, coordination, posture, core stabilization, and posture, developing long, lean muscles
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- Correction of inefficient and degrading movement patterns
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- Sport specific training for performance improvements
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- Conditioning for pre and post-natal health
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- Active rehabilitation * the Pilates Home Exercises system IS NOT meant for rehabilitation. If you are injured or going through the rehab process, consult with your health care professionals to determine the appropriate treatment for you and to determine if/when you are ready to participate in online training. Before training on your own, private, in person (or private one-on-one online) sessions are recommended before doing exercises on your own.
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- Prevention of injury
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- Reduction of upper body tension
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- Stress relief
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- Reduction in back pain. *See above for comment on rehabilitation. If you are injured, please see your health care professional. Pilates Home Exercises is not responsible for any injury or pain that you incur while following the exercises.
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- Increased body awareness
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- Better concentration
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- Increased circulation and function of the respiratory system
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- Overall health
- Improved self-confidence
The history of Pilates:
Joseph began his research as a young boy aiming heal from various aliments from which he suffered, such as Rheumatic fever, Asthma and Rickets. A healthy Pilates, then continued to study anatomy and movement including training in wrestling, gymnastics, weight training, martial arts, fencing, yoga, and zen meditation. Joseph Pilates’ vision of an ideal man, was one who matched a strong, well trained, physique with a strong, well trained mind and he intended to develop a training method that fostered his notion of such a man.
Pilates was initially developed as a successful form of injury rehabilitation and prevention of the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918 in the War camps in England during World War 1. Josephs design of a spring and pulley system attached to beds allowed those who were sick and injured to improve their health while lying down.
As Joseph expanded his work into training the Hamburg Police Department working with the New York City Ballet, artists, athletes and prominent politicians, the exercise system was further influenced and proved successful not only in the rehabilitation setting, but also at the other end of the training spectrum (elite sports and dance training). Some of those who trained under Pilates, called the “elders” have since continued to add to his exercise system incorporating information from the advances in Kinesiology or Exercise Science, Physiotherapy, and other medical fields, as well as personal movement knowledge as a number of the later innovators were in fields such as dance.