Pilates is a sport which was developed by Joseph Pilates during the 1930s. Pilates was a sick as a child and dedicated his entire life to improving his physical strength. Pilates developed various different exercise methods by examining other sport disciplines and managed to recover his physical strength by applying these exercises rigorously. He used these exercises which are named after himself to treat German soldiers returning from the front afterWorld War I. Today, Pilates is considered as the most popular sport discipline used in many physiotherapy programs.
Rather than helping its practitioners to lose weight or develop muscles, Pilates aims to strengthen body's resistance. Teaching the body how to breathe correctly, Pilates promotes skeletal balance by treating hip bone and spine ailments. The primary goals of Pilates are to ensure that practitioners maintain a balanced gait and recover the health of their bone structure. It also ensures that practitioners enjoy a flat and well-shaped abdomen, slender waist and upright gait.
Pilates incorporates six principles:
Concentration: Practitioners must concentrate on what they are doing and pay attention to how their bodies function harmoniously and try to understand which muscles are used and which are not.
Control:Control is very crucial in Pilates. Practitioners must listen to their bodies very carefully, perform the exercises as they are prescribed and avoid injuring themselves.
Centering: In Pilates, the center encompasses the abdomen, lower and upper back and hips. It is in the center that the muscle system, which holds the internal organs and spine in place, is located. Centering ensures the stability, flexibility and elongation of the upper body.
Flow or efficiency of movement: Practitioners must perform the movements slowly but without missing any crucial parts and they must never stop or falter.
Precision: Practitioners must perform the movements properly. Movement sequences must be coordinated. Breathing: Practitioners must be instructed to breathe deep into the back and sides of his or her rib cage and exhale thoroughly. Thus, air in lungs is exhaled completely and blood is oxygenated thoroughly.