Pilates Theory and Litrature

We are fortunate that Joseph Pilates wrote a couple of books on Pilates and his opinion of the state of modern mans health. Both these are available in one volume A Pilates' Primer : The Millennium Edition. This book is not useful as a how-to but more as a look back at the publicly stated point of view of a man whose legacy has posthumously reshaped the fitness industry over the last few years.

A more practical manual for exercise is The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning. This book too has an excellant provenance; the authors consulted with Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates' protege and has been considered a classic since it was first published in 1980 in hardback.

A useful summary of Pilates' ideas is presented in The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning, which I have summarised below. To my knowledge this break down was not put forward by Pilates but was crystallised from his teaching by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen with assistance from Romana Kryzanowska.

Concentration

“Study Carefully and slowly do the foundation work.”

“Follow directions exactly, with respect to every detail given.”

Joseph Paletes.

Control

The Pilates Method requires every aspect of movement is thoroughly controlled and nothing is moved by accident.

Centring

The centre is where the control of movement in Pilates comes from. Maintaining a good centre will not only make all movements easier to control and more graceful but help improve our health, physical appearance, posture and grace in performing day to day tasks.

Flowing Movement

“Flowing motion outward from a strong centre.”

Romana Kryzanowska

No movement should be too stiff or jerky. No movement should be too fast or slow.

Precision

“Concentrate on right movements each time you exercise, else you will do them improperly and loose their value.”

Joseph Paletes.

Breathing

Joseph Pilates wrote on the importance of good circulation and proper breathing he believed; the increased flow of richly oxygenated blood during exercise will:

• energise the entire body.
  
• “awaken” the cells of the body.
  
• facilitate removal of wastes around tissues.
  
• enhance the natural healing process.

So Why is Pilates Different from Going to the Gym or Yoga? Part II

I was asked in a previous post what makes Pilates different from going to the gym or Yoga?. In the interest of full disclosure, my wife asked the question but its a good question, so here goes :)

In this post I'll list some obvious differences between Yoga and Pilates. Let me stress I do not believe Pilates to be better than Yoga, although I have a personal preference for Pilates :)

Pilates exercises often look a lot like Yoga but are normally performed and taught a little differently: the focus is on the core, remaining centred and stabilised, in complete control, with precision, flow and concentration.

This differs from how Yoga is normally performed as:

• Pilates is concerned with only the physical and mental, not the spiritual (Yoga is not normally concerned with religious spirituality but meditation and the energies of the body).
• multiple repetitions are common for Pilates exercises (in the range of 3 to 10) but not common with Yoga asanas (normally 3 or less).
  
• a variety of different resistance equipment is used to practice Pilates, from the small portable Magic Circle to the Reformer and Cadillac.
• the majority of Pilates involves trunk flexation (forward bending), trunk extension (backward bending) is emphasized a lot more in Yoga practice.
  
• Pilates exercises are normally dynamic, few positions are held. Many Yoga asanas are held for several seconds or longer.
  
• Pilates has a long association with Physical Therapy, using and modifying techniques and exercises developed by clinicians.
  

Many Pilates exercises have no link at all with Yoga and were either invented by Joseph Pilates or were inspired by his work with other disciplines including: Boxing, Weight Training and Dance.