Frequently Asked Questions
Joseph Pilates at age 57 and age 82
Q: I want to get fit this year. What should I do? What’s the best form of exercise?
A: First, Congratulations! Second, consult your physician. The best form of exercise is the exercise you can and will do. Exercises aren’t necessarily “bad”; the real question: “Is the exercise appropriate for you”? Exercising is fun and if it’s not, you haven’t found the right one for you, yet.
I encourage new exercisers to start with Pilates and walking. Walking is easy and inexpensive. You don’t need a health club membership, just a good pair of shoes. Walking with a friend will keep you committed and talking along the way makes the time fly. For avid exercisers, I recommend adding Pilates to their regime.
Q: Why Pilates first? What about Yoga? What’s the difference?
A: I prefer clients begin with Pilates as the focus is core strength and functional movement. Pilates teaches your body how to move efficiently and safely. Pilates focuses on the core muscles of your abdomen and lower back to provide a strong, flexible foundation for everything you do from sitting at a desk, swinging a racket or club, carrying a child or groceries, to running a marathon.
In Pilates, we begin with one task at a time, i.e. finding and utilizing the core to find and maintain neutral spine, supporting and protecting your low back. Once you are proficient, additional movements and muscle groups are recruited while challenging the core. Core strength is what we all need to support our spines and maintain healthy backs. Whatever your activity, Pilates will teach you to move in an efficient, safe, and powerful way. Golf and tennis players see longer drives and more powerful swings without back pain. Runners run more efficiently with less discomfort and enjoy quicker recovery time. Increased efficiency leads to improved performance and enjoyment.
Yoga is a wonderful discipline, however, it can be more challenging. Yoga asks for more body awareness and functional movement patterns than many exercisers have, even fit athletes. Even a basic pose, Warrior 1, requires good body awareness, core strength, and functional movement patterns to be performed safely. Healthy movement patterns are the first step.
Q: What’s the difference between Pilates and Yoga?
A: In short, Pilates teaches you how to move, and yoga gives you the flexibility and mental clarity to do so.
Q: What can Pilates do?
A: Flatten your stomach, tighten your buttocks and thighs, make you taller (really, largest gain of my clients to date 1 ½””), and improve posture, flexibility, sleep, bone density, cholesterol levels, blood pressure readings, basically all aspects of your life. You can get really strong without adding bulk, and tone and tighten every muscle in your body from the inside out.
Q: Who needs Pilates?
A: Anyone who has a body and wants to move well while looking and feeling good.