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What is Pilates?
Mat Pilates is a comprehensive form of exercise involving full range of motion, balance, coordination, deep breathing, sustained mental focus, and active contraction of all muscles in all exercises which are done in a dance like sequence.
Who was Joseph Pilates?
Joseph was born in 1880 in Germany. He was a small child with a frail, sickly body having had rheumatic fever, asthma, and rickets. He was determined to do what he could to improve his physique, and did so; so well that by the time he was a teenager he was able to model for medical anatomy books. He drew from dance, yoga, martial arts, wrestling, diving, skiing, and ancient Greek and Roman exercise routines, and Eastern and Western philosophies.
As a young adult he immigrated to England. When WW I broke out, because he was the “enemy” (being a German) he was put in an internment camp where he worked as an orderly in the hospital. He rehabilitated many of the wounded with his fitness program.
The mat work was the original movement system and is equally effective as the work done on the machines, if not more so. The absence of equipment allows for mobility allowing one to practice anywhere once proficient. For those who could not get out of bed, he took bed springs and attached them to the walls, and used the orthopedic pulleys and trapezes to facilitate his program. These apparatuses became the prototype of today’s Pilates equipment. He also trained his fellow internees teaching them fitness so well that very few of them succumbed to the great Influenza Epidemic.
After the war the German Army pressured Joseph to teach his fitness program, but Joseph was a pacifist. He had his sights set on the U.S.A. On the ship to the United States he met, married and lived happily-ever-after with his wife Clara. In 1926 they opened a Pilates studio in New York City in the same building as the New York City Ballet. Dancers like Martha Graham and George Balanchine became big enthusiasts of the Pilates system and the word spread through the dance community.
Joseph Pilates died in 1967 and his wife Clara carried on. Today Pilates has been discovered by athletes, models, dancers, actors and fitness enthusiasts of all stripes. Today, decades later, the numbers are multiplying rapidly since this system has reached the level of American fitness clubs and studios.
How did it come to be so popular?
Physical benefits – posture (alignment); improved coordination, balance, lung capacity, well being and enhanced posture, a fun, challenging, highly effective workout.
How did you develop this program?
As personal trainer and certified Pilates instructor, I discovered many of my round clients had good extremity strength, but lacked core strength, good “wind”, coordination, and good balance. We decided to try a few of the traditional Pilate exercises with modifications and eventually developed the entire workout through the advanced level for the round bodied.
What equipment do you need?
A mat is the only equiptment needed. Pilates is done on the floor without shoes.
Who can attend Plus Size Pilates™ classes?
Students are required to be any degree of round. The student must be
able to approach and rise from the floor with or without the use of a
chair.
The student is an excellent candidate even if she experiences fibromyalgia,
arthritis, knee replacement, mastectomy, asthma, allergies, migraines,
urinary frequency, gastric by-pass surgery, or any form of poor posture.
Plus Size Pilates applicants with hip replacement, osteoporosis,
or pregnancy are encouraged to seek private sessions as these conditions
warrant special instruction.
Who can teach Plus Size Pilates™?
We draw from our round students to become instructors of Plus Size Pilates™. A federal trademark protects the name. The material taught is copy written. Videos, books, and franchises are in the works.
Where do you teach?
Many plus size individuals are self conscious, uncomfortable, or avoid gyms where people are medium or small size. We schedule ourselves to teach in private homes, conference rooms, aerobic studios, dance studios, fitness centers, usually those with private entrance and elevators.
What is your theme of camouflage and ethnic jewelry about?
The camouflage clothing is recognized all over earth even in third world countries. It is the idea of empowering the participant to recognize and embrace the fit round body; to accept roundness as a natural human state; the starting point to reclaiming their strength; and to break through to a new level of fitness. It is never too late to reclaim one’s body.
Ethnic jewelry combines with the camouflage to become the female warrior. It is a symbol of unity, strength, vigor, vitality. It can be interpreted as fulfillment, self empowerment, a warrior’s attitude.
What about roundness and obesity?
Phenotypes are the visible characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction between its genetic makeup and the environment –ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph. It is natural in all populations for a given percent of humans to be round. In our culture it is said that 60% of the population is overweight.
Fit while round is the focus. Round is a natural body type, and round can be fit. Good health is something all types strive for including the round. Plus Size Pilates™ tones unhealthy roundness.
Mary M. Gordon
- Certified Pilates Instructor
- American Council on Exercise, (A.C.E.) Certified Personal Trainer
Gallery
Advice & Info
Unhealthy Roundness is a complicated and highly individual issue. Here are some of the factors…
The Mummy Tummy What has happened to my body? As anyone who has had a child…
Testimonials What people are saying about Plus Size Pilates™ …
Contact
Mary M. Gordon
520.977.1004