People have asked us repeatedly what exactly are the things to know before you take a Pilates class? We’ll break it down for you. Who is Pilates good for? The great thing with Pilates is that it can be performed by and benefit all kinds of age, fitness, and ability levels. The practice is versatile and can […]
Exercise
What is Pilates and What are the Different Approaches?
Many people wonder exactly what is Pilates, the approaches to Pilates, and how it can help them. There is no limit to what Pilates does to benefit the body regardless of age or condition. Joseph Hubertus Pilates invented Pilates to create a movement system that focuses on balancing practitioners’ body, mind, and spirit. What is […]
3 Pilates Exercises to Strengthen Your Spine
The movements in Pilates exercises increase strength in the abdominal, lower back, hip, and buttocks muscles. Consequently, practitioners can achieve better stabilization of the spine, more muscular control of back and limbs, and improved posture. Can Pilates exercises help back pain? Yes, Pilates can make a difference in helping with back pain because these exercises […]
GYROTONIC ® versus Pilates Which is right for me?
The question the teachers at MatWorkz Pilates always hear is, “GYROTONIC® versus Pilates which is right for me?” To help you make that decision, you need first to understand both methods’ principles and objectives. The principles of GYROTONIC® are intention, stabilization through contrast, decompression of joints, and coordination of movement and breath. GYROTONIC® aims to […]
Pilates vs Gyrotonic Expansion System
I first wrote this article below in 2009 for Pilates Digest. You can find it here http://www.pilatesdigest.com/pilates-vs-gyrotonic-expansion-system/ There really is not much I would change about the article. I would add Pilates is more about uniformity and precision of the body. GYROTONIC® is less so. I do not use the word “core” any longer when I […]
8 Things About the Gyrotonic Expansion System
I am usually ahead of curves, but after over a decade of teaching this movement system, I am surprised it is still a novelty. GYROTONIC® originator, Juliu Horvath, developed his system after having several injuries from his dance career. His work is still evolving and I’ve seen several adjustments since I have been teaching his method. With that said, here are 8 things to […]
5 Reasons to try Pilates
There’s no secret here: Pilates is good for EVERY body. And I do mean everybody and here are 5 reasons to try Pilates today! If you’re still wondering what Pilates is, that’s OK – you’re not alone. It’s still a somewhat misunderstood corner of the exercise world, even though it’s one of the fastest-growing areas […]