What is Pilates, anyway?

"Something sporty." "Exercise for retirees." "Isn't that yoga...?" These are the most common reactions I've encountered so far. What do you think it is? Since you're here, I assume you've come across the term and it's sparked your interest for some reason. Come, in the following posts, I'll show you what Pilates is all about. We'll talk about its origins, its principles, what you can expect in a Pilates class (at least in mine 😊), and yes, whether you can lose weight with it!

So, let's start with the basics.

(Google is our best friend, and its little sibling is Wikipedia, but if there's a short summary, that's the best 😊)

The Pilates method was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany in the 1920s. Its original purpose was the rehabilitation of the body (rehabilitation of injured soldiers during World War I), and it later spread among athletes and dancers in the United States. Since the central element of the method is breathing, with a focus on controlled, slow movements, it not only effectively builds a flexible and strong body but also has a calming effect on the mind. (Hello, mindfulness...! 😊)

In Pilates, as many customs as there are.

Today, there are numerous versions available, ranging from dynamic variations performed to pop music (Pop Pilates) to classes using specialized spring-based machines (Reformer), and exercises performed on a mat. While the fundamentals remain the same, each instructor's class is different because we bring our personalities and dynamics into it. So, I encourage you to try out multiple versions if you feel that it might not be your thing at first.

What are my classes like?

I teach Mat Pilates, but with a more dynamic structure. No, we won't be jumping 😊, but we will definitely be sweating and pleasantly tired. The first half of the class consists of exercises performed standing, while the second half involves exercises on the floor. We use small props like a ball, hand weights, resistance bands, and a Pilates ring, but none of them are mandatory. Always listen to your body and do what feels right! I work with short repetitions; we do a maximum of 8-10 repetitions of each movement sequence, making the class diverse and working the entire body.

Come and join me! Check out where you can find me or get in touch!