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Every effort has been made to
accurately address the answers to these most frequently asked
questions. For more information on any of the topics covered by
these questions please be sure to visit any links that have been
established or contact us via email
or call 610-641-1120. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What exactly is Pilates?
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What is Somatics and Somatic Integration?
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Who was Joseph Pilates?
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I’ve heard of the Reformer and Cadillac. What
are these things and what do they have to do with Pilates?
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What should I wear to class?
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There are Pilates classes, taught by
certified instructors, at the gym for free. Why should I pay to go to a
Pilates “studio”?
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Will Pilates help me to lose weight?/ Is
Pilates an aerobic exercise?/ How long will it take to see results?
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What is the difference between Yoga
and Pilates?
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What is the difference between
Gyrotonics and Pilates?
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Am I too
old (young) for Pilates?
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I’m
Pregnant. Can I do Pilates?
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I have chronic back pain and returning flare-ups of old injuries, can Pilates
help? / I was recently injured. I heard Pilates was a form of rehabilitation,
will it work for me?
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I bought a Pilates Instructional Video, isn’t that the same as taking a class?
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I bought Pilates equipment on television, isn’t it basically the same as the
equipment used in studios?
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What is the recent inundation of Pilates books, videos, accessories, classes,
etc.?
Please click
Pilates to be taken to our Pilates pages.
What is Somatics and Somatic
Integration?
Please click
Somatic
Integration Through Pilates for a description.
Back to Top
Please click
History
of Joseph H. Pilates for the information
you are requesting.
Please note that in this answer links have been
provided to images of the different apparatus mentioned. These images may take a
while to load and will load in a new browser window. Thanks to
Peak Pilates for allowing us to use
these images on our site!
Many people
have heard of the mat or floor work developed by Joseph Pilates, because most of
the books, videos and classes offered cover this specific version of the
Pilates’ method of physical conditioning. Although it is agreed that originally
Pilates developed the mat work as the basis of his philosophies on physical
conditioning, the apparatus he developed later in his career has proved to be an
indispensable part of practicing and understanding the method. The
Reformer,
designed with a moving carriage, springs, straps, and adjustable foot bar allows
clients to perform exercises lying prone, supine, sitting and standing. The
Cadillac, which is also known as the Trapeze Table, is a large apparatus with
poles, springs, push through bar, roll down bar, trapeze strap, and woolies.
This piece of apparatus was created to address specific rehabilitative and
alignment needs, as well as to assist in stretching and understanding
symmetrical movement, thus transitioning the body through plateaus. The
Chair,
one of the most challenging pieces of apparatus, is normally used as an addition
to your regular Pilates exercise recommendations, but can also be used as the
sole piece of equipment during a session. Other additional pieces of apparatus
include the
high barrel, the
spine corrector, the barrel system, magic circles,
the foot corrector, the ped-o-pul, the orthopedic ball, and other small bands,
balls and weights.
Wear something you are comfortable moving
in, that will allow you to breathe, bend and stretch without constriction.
Elastic waistbands are highly recommended. However, do not wear anything too loose or bulky as it
hinders the instructors ability to visually analyze body placement, thus decreasing the effectiveness of your session or
class. Exercises can be performed either barefoot or in stockings.
There is nothing wrong with attending a
class at a gym. However, there are some things to be aware of that do not occur
in Pilates studios. Here are some instances.
Large Classes with multi-level students.
These types of classes can be dangerous for students who are not fully aware of
their bodies and have not mastered the principles and fundamentals of Pilates
before engaging in higher level exercises. Some instructors will give
modifications to less experienced students, but it is virtually impossible to
look in two different directions, and be completely aware of too many people at
one time. This MAY result in injury, unsatisfactory results, and frustration.
Classes at SEA, Inc. are limited to 7 people. SOME classes offered at gyms and
similar institutions are taught by individuals with little or no actual Pilates
experience or training. Some instructors who do have training are only qualified
through weekend certification courses (usually only 16 to 20 hours), designed for the purposes of gyms, etc.
Instructors at SEA, however, are certified by the Physical Mind Institute and
have completed hundreds of hours of instruction and many hours of supervised
teaching. Please visit
our Staff/Instructors page for a full
listing of our Instructors credentials. Classes at gyms are not necessarily the ideal choice for those wishing to
develop full-body awareness and a deep understanding of the Pilates method.
Superficial aspects of Pilates.
Most gyms
are in existence to help people feel better about themselves, by helping them to
change the way they look. And, in turn, most Pilates classes offered at gyms focus on
the ability to “tighten buns, hips and abs”. There is no doubt that Pilates can
dramatically change your body, and result in a tighter, leaner, longer physique,
but in a Pilates Studio, there is a lot more emphasis put on the mind-body
connection and the principles and fundamentals, as well as an individualized
approach to your specific concerns and goals. Classes at SEA focus on heavily on
establishing a strong foundation for movement in your life. See our
benefits page for more information.
Finally and very important, many gyms do not offer qualified
individual instruction on high caliber apparatus, which is a staple of Pilates
studios.
Pilates in and of itself is a form of
anaerobic exercise. Weight is lost through a simple equation, that is, expend
more energy than you consume. Pilates increases strength through lean muscle
mass. Muscle consumes more calories at rest than adipose tissue. Pilates
may also inadvertently help you to lose weight by increasing body awareness, and
control. With awareness and control, you may become more careful with what you
consume and when you consume it. Weight loss, however, is not universally
accepted as a result of Pilates. On the other hand, Pilates himself said, in
reference to practicing Pilates, “you’ll feel better in 10 sessions, look better
in 20 sessions, and have a completely new body in 30 sessions”. To put this
statement into perspective, any movement program that is practiced regularly (at
least 3 times per week) will offer benefits after 30 sessions. The focus of
Pilates should not be about aesthetics alone. Those individuals who have started
the program at SEA and have enjoyed all the benefits are those who have
approached the method as a part of their lifestyle, instead of just a quick fix.
Click here to learn more!
Back to Top
Yoga, a wonderful Eastern discipline, has
similarities to Pilates mainly because of the fact Joseph Pilates had studied
Eastern forms of movement and incorporated them into his method. There are
distinct differences though. Some clients who have experienced both forms of
movement, remark on the difference between the breathing, linear movement
patterns and the fluidity of movement that is provided by Pilates.
What is
the difference between Gyrotonics and Pilates?
Juliu Horvath, the creator of Gyrotonics,
developed Gyro-Kinesis as essentially a fusion of Pilates, Yoga, Gymnastics and Dance. It is also a wonderful form of exercise, which has assisted many
people in achieving their goals. SEA, Inc. is not currently offering the Gyrotonic Expansion System method of exercise. However if you are interested in
more information concerning Gyrotonic training please contact certified
instructor Joyce Campbell, at 610-756-6603.
Am I too old (young) for Pilates?
If you are over the age of 10, there is a
benefit that you can experience with a Pilates program. For those younger than
10 we do
offer a youth Pilates class specifically designed for the changing
musculoskeletal system of children that age.
Click here for more!
I’m Pregnant. Can I do Pilates?
If you began your Pilates training before
the first trimester, Pilates can be very beneficial to your pregnancy. Pilates is one of the
most advantageous forms of exercise post-pregnancy, because of its focus on core
control, and the muscles of the abdomen, back and gluteus.
Contact us
for more information. As with
any exercise program, and especially when pregnancy is concerned, please discuss
any interest in establishing an exercise program with your doctor first!
I have chronic back pain and returning flare-ups
of old injuries, can Pilates help? / I was recently injured. I heard Pilates was
a form of rehabilitation, will it work for me?
Pilates is a wonderful rehabilitation tool.
Because Pilates teaches re-programming of the entire musculature, it can be as
gentle and simple as is required. Pilates redevelops strength, stability,
balance and symmetry to areas of the body, which may have been misaligned due to
an injury.
If you have been recently injured, it is
recommended that you first obtain a release from your physician or preferably a
specialist, to participate in the Pilates Exercise Program. (Note: As a
precaution for all of us, SEA requires a signed doctors release
indicating that you are cleared to engage in the type of physical activity
experienced in a Pilates program before you may participate in our classes or
individual sessions.) Click here
to learn
more benefits of a Pilates program and who can benefit.
For more information
contact us.
I bought a Pilates Instructional Video, isn’t
that the same as taking a class?
Pilates videos and books can be a wonderful
tools for supplementing your training in Pilates under a qualified instructor.
Pilates is an exact form of movement. It is highly recommended that you first
learn Pilates under the direction of a fully certified instructor before
attempting to do the exercises on your own. An important part of a successful
Pilates program is knowing what your goals and expectations are for the program.
For instance some popular videos available in infomercials focus heavily on the
aesthetic benefits of Pilates without a great deal of focus on improving
flexibility and movement. Also videos are limited in their ability to identify
body types and styles, sometimes creating a condition that could lead to injury.
Please choose any Pilates video carefully and be aware that Pilates in and of
itself is not a weight loss exercise program.
I bought Pilates apparatus on television, isn’t it basically the same as the
equipment used in studios?
There are a lot of different types of
Pilates apparatus out there these days. Some of the more popular pieces of
apparatus sold on television, for example, are rarely the type you’d find in a
Pilates studio. Be very careful when making choices about purchasing
apparatus. There are a lot of very unsafe pieces of apparatus on the market
today. If you are planning on purchasing Pilates equipment and have any
questions regarding the quality of the manufacturer please
contact us for a list of recommended suppliers.
What is behind the recent inundation of Pilates books, videos, accessories, classes,
etc.?
Pilates is not new, it has been around for
decades, however, it was not until recently that the word “Pilates” could be
freely used by instructors to describe the type of movement they taught.
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