A method of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates in 1926, Pilates is a physical movement program designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body. Its guided by the principles of whole body health, whole body commitment, and breath. Practice of this method of excercise can yield numerous benefits such as increased spine mobility, increased muscle flexibility, improved muscular endurance, improved posture, improved tennis serve velocity, improved body awareness, decreased low back pain, reduction in the need for lumbar surgeries, improved bone density, improved ability to correctly contract the transversus abdominus, improved pelvic control, recruitment of Rectus Abdominus and External Oblique muscles, and decreased lumbar paraspinal muscle activity in subjects with low back pain.

The practicality of Pilates is exciting. The benefits do not end at the end of a one
hour session. Picking up groceries is done more thoughtfully and safely. Running a marathon isn’t as tiring. Walking on icy sidewalks isn’t as dangerous. Pilates takes us from a hectic world where we go through life not considering our bodies, to a complete understanding of the interaction and interdependency of our minds and bodies.