Pilates is a total body workout that focuses on the harder to reach, smaller and weaker muscles, helping to promote correct and healthy posture, strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system, improve fitness and coordination, and increase self-awareness. The workout includes strength, stretching and breathing exercises. The workout is also suitable for rehabilitation after injuries.

The basis of all the workouts is the training of the body centre “(Powerhouse)”, which includes the muscles of the lower torso: pelvic, abdominal and dorsal. All exercises are performed slowly and fluidly, with correct breathing. This way of exercising is beneficial for both the muscles and the ankles. Pilates consists of around 500 different exercises designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles.

• Control: it is important that all exercises are performed with controlled movements so that even the smallest muscles are strengthened.
• Concentration: proper concentration helps to harmonise mind and body. Every movement should be mentally controlled, with attention on the whole body.
• Breathing: conscious breathing plays an important role, which is meant to help against tensions and at the same time to raise awareness of the whole body. For this reason, breathing with the diaphragm is practised.
• Centre: refers to the centre of the body, the so-called “powerhouse”, which extends from the chest to the pelvis and encompasses all the major organs. Strengthening the muscles in the centre strengthens the back and also alleviates any problems and back pain.
• Relaxation: mindful relaxation is supposed to help loosen tight muscles. However, in Pilates, relaxation is not the opposite of contraction.
• Continuous movement: all exercises are performed in fluid, continuous movements, without long pauses. Pilates does not have sudden isolated movements.
• Accuracy: Accuracy is part of control. Joseph Pilates used to say that we should concentrate on correct and precise movements every time we practise, otherwise we will practise incorrectly and lose the effect of the training.
• Regularity: Establishing regularity in your exercise is essential for success.
• Intuition: Pilates is body awareness. Pilates is an awareness of the body.

In Pilates, the muscles of the torso are actively involved in improving strength, flexibility and posture.Pilates strengthens, tones and sculpts the muscles. It provides flexibility and balance and unites mind, body and spirit through regular practice.

Pilates has a huge impact on posture. People often complain of back pain, which is most often caused by poor posture. Pilates exercises change bad patterns in kinetic memory. Altered spinal curves, which are the first sign of poor posture, are corrected. Also, flexibility and control of movement are improved.

Pilates exercises focus on postural symmetry, breath control, abdominal muscle strength, spinal, pelvic and shoulder stabilisation, muscle flexibility and joint mobility, strengthening muscles throughout the full range of motion in the joint (rather than strengthening isolated muscle groups), whole body training (connecting the lower and upper limbs through the trunk).

• improving your posture,
• shaping the body’s muscles,
• help with back pain,
• improving body control,
• improving the connection between body and mind,
• improving body self-awareness and self-confidence,
• Strengthening the muscular system, with an emphasis on strengthening the muscles of the trunk,
• improving balance and coordination,
• increase in lung capacity,
• rehabilitation after injuries, …