FAQ
What exactly is Pilates?
Pilates is a series of movements that are defined by their adherence to 6 interrelated principles:
What can Pilates do for me?
I’m a fan, so I’d go so far as to say, what can’t it do? But in all seriousness, there is no better movement modality than Pilates for…
What are the long term benefits of Pilates?
Is Pilates accessible?
In short; yes. It needs to be said that, despite the majority of marketing, Pilates is not exclusively the domain of the female-bodied, the white, the affluent. It’s a personal agenda of mine to make sure that this is not the case. This is a lifelong practice, and thus those with any kinds of limitations are welcome here and can get a lot out of it! Pilates is incredible for folks of any age and ability, those suffering from neurodegenerative disease and all kinds of injury. Truly every population is welcome here! If, for whatever reason, my rates are a reach, please reach out to me and we can find a way. No questions asked.
Do I need a machine?
Absolutely not! Joseph Pilates actually pioneered his method with matwork. Especially if you are consistent and have expert supervision, you will get a lot out of matwork. He did, however, find that results were faster and more consistent with the equipment.
What exactly is Pilates?
Pilates is a series of movements that are defined by their adherence to 6 interrelated principles:
- Concentration, or mindful movement. That we move MINDFULLY is what makes Pilates truly a moving meditation - with all of the concomitant benefits (stress relief, improved mood, concentration, and sleep, and neurodegenerative resilience)
- Control - not just an extension of mindfulness, but also about having control over ALL RANGES of motion. Most of us, even professional athletes, only have control over some ranges. Pilates aims for a balanced strength, making you resilient as you age and impregnable to injury.
- Center - awareness of the core as the origin of all movement. Aficionados of Pilates are hip to the fact that crunches are almost the *least* effective ways to have a strong center. Literally every Pilates movement begins with core awareness and thus requires and perpetuates a strong, supple, aware core.
- Flow - as a former professional dancer, I have an inate appreciation of flow. It enables me to speed up and slow down time, an appreciation for my body’s sensuality - on many more levels than the obvious. The benefits to the lay person are enjoyment of physicality, a sense of truly inhabiting our body and the felt experience - as opposed to it simply being a carrying case for our busy minds. Finally, learning to move fluidly from one movement to the next builds strength, coordination, and stamina. It’s no wonder why all of the major sports teams now have Pilates studios on site!
- Precision - encourages awareness, balance, and flow. Joe Pilates was a bit of a drill sergeant. Well, things evolve and I am not. That said, there is something about knowing what muscles need to be recruited in life that makes one feel a little bit robocop? And that’s tremendously efficient and empowering.
- Breath - you cannot engage your core without proper breath mechanics. Most of us have counterproductive breath mechanics due to a sedentary lifestyle (which many biomechanists define as less than 10 miles a day of walking?!). Working on breath is always beneficial and the beauty of Pilates is that you’re working on breath synchronous to so many other things!
What can Pilates do for me?
I’m a fan, so I’d go so far as to say, what can’t it do? But in all seriousness, there is no better movement modality than Pilates for…
- Balanced strength and tone: Not only of your big muscles but of your small, often-neglected connective muscles than enable us to truly be lifelong movers
- flexibility: Not in the sense that you’re going to become Gumby, but in the sense that you will be awakened to the ranges of motion that YOUR unique joints and muscles have. Often this is why we feel “tight” - we’re not using what we already have.
- Posture / alignment: So many of us are adversely affected by maladaptive work/life habits. Pilates helps you rediscover the elongated spine that you were born with and gradually it becomes your resting place once again (as it was in your infancy. Have you looked at babies sitting? Such beautifully stacked vertebrae!)
- Confidence: As we behave, so we are. Nowhere is this more true than it is with body language and awareness.
- Longevity: It is by now a truism that longevity is almost entirely attributable to mobility, control of the pelvic floor, balance, and neurological resilience - and resilience in general - all issues met head on by Pilates.
What are the long term benefits of Pilates?
- increased muscle mass
- slowed aging
- Happier
- better sleep
Is Pilates accessible?
In short; yes. It needs to be said that, despite the majority of marketing, Pilates is not exclusively the domain of the female-bodied, the white, the affluent. It’s a personal agenda of mine to make sure that this is not the case. This is a lifelong practice, and thus those with any kinds of limitations are welcome here and can get a lot out of it! Pilates is incredible for folks of any age and ability, those suffering from neurodegenerative disease and all kinds of injury. Truly every population is welcome here! If, for whatever reason, my rates are a reach, please reach out to me and we can find a way. No questions asked.
Do I need a machine?
Absolutely not! Joseph Pilates actually pioneered his method with matwork. Especially if you are consistent and have expert supervision, you will get a lot out of matwork. He did, however, find that results were faster and more consistent with the equipment.