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Information
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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
1. What exactly is
Pilates?
2. What is Somatics and Somatic
Integration?
3. Who was Joseph
Pilates?
4. I’ve heard of the
Reformer and Cadillac. What are these things and what do they have to do
with Pilates?
5. What should I wear to class?
6. There are Pilates
classes, taught by certified instructors, at the gym for free. Why should I
pay to go to a Pilates “studio”?
7. Will Pilates help me
to lose weight?/ Is Pilates an aerobic exercise?/ How long will it take to
see results?
- What is
the difference between Yoga and Pilates?
- What is
the difference between Gyrotonics and Pilates?
- Am I too old (young) for Pilates?
- I’m Pregnant. Can I do Pilates?
- 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?
- I bought a Pilates Instructional Video, isn’t that the
same as taking a class?
- I bought Pilates equipment on television, isn’t it basically
the same as the equipment used in studios?
- 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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