☺What Is Pilates?☺
Pilates is a type of exercise and body conditioning first used as a way for dancers to recover
from injury. Today, people other than dancers do Pilates for its health benefits. It highlights precise movements, controlled breathing, and muscle engagement, enhancing muscle tone and stability.
☺Who created it?☺
Joseph Pilates, a native of Germany and physical education advocate, developed his fitness philosophy while imprisoned off the coast of England during World War I. He and other "physical culturists" led daily exercise routines for thousands of inmates. Pilates immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s, where he refined his method with the help of his partner Clara Zeuner. His studio in New York City attracted dancers looking for ways to recover from injuries.
☺Pilates vs. yoga☺
Yoga emphasizes mind-body connection and offers physical benefits like strength, flexibility, and balance, often with meditation. Pilates focuses on core strength through structured exercises and slowly gets more challenging. There are various forms of yoga, while Pilates typically follows a standard set of exercises with the chance to advance with help from an instructor.
ᐛIntensity level: mediumᐛ
It"s demanding, but not the kind of workout that always works up a sweat. It’s all about concentration and breathing. But you’ll feel it in your muscles during each exercise.
ᐛAreas it targetsᐛ
Pilates’s main focus is on your core, but you can expect strength gains in your arms and legs. Positions and movements used to activate your core rely on your arms and legs to control or apply loads to the core, which will benefit from Pilates.
