Joseph Pilates basics involve six essential principles that influenced his approach to fitness. These Pilates methods are: Centering: Physically bringing the focus to the center of the body. Pilates exercises are sourced from the center. Concentration: If you bring full attention and commitment to each exercise you will obtain maximum value from each movement. Control: Every Pilates exercise […]
Movement
Which is better: Mat Pilates or Pilates Reformer?
Mat Pilates or Pilates Reformer exercises each have their pros and cons. The better choice depends on your needs. Mat Pilates requires less equipment and can be performed at home or in a group setting. As a result, there is not as much supervision of your form. Ideally, you would use this Pilates method after […]
Which is Better Pilates vs. Yoga?
Comparing Pilates vs. Yoga is a case of apples vs. oranges. Both are healthy and fantastic for you. It’s a matter of which one you prefer. Yoga and Pilates work towards building a stronger mind-body connection through movement. However, yoga has religious roots and aims to connect the mind, body, and spirit. Alternatively, Pilates focuses […]
What are the health benefits for the 5 types of pilates equipment MatWorkz Pilates uses?
Pilates equipment is integral to the history of Pilates. Joseph Pilates first began his teachings using an early rendition of a Pilates reformer designed out of a hospital bed and bedsprings. Pilates incorporated equipment into the Pilates method because of its ability to benefit practitioners’ health by adapting exercises for injury, increasing resistance, targeting specific muscle […]
The History of Pilates
The history of Pilates is truly the tale of one man with a concept that he vehemently believed could change the world. The legacy of Pilates shows that he did. Joseph Pilates invested a lifetime of work into creating a movement method fueled by the drive to control the body through the mind. He anchored […]
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 […]
Longevity in Movement
On a recent driving vacation I had the luxury of listening to some podcasts. Outside Magazine did a really interesting podcast on why some athletes burnout young and others can endure the test of time. I know as I age I have found varying what I do has been a good recipe for me. Also, […]
Pain and your Mind
I have been using a somatic approach to how I teach pilates for about 10 years now. It is good to see we are moving past the old paradigms of pain therapy. I am always amazed when a client comes in with a chronic pain pattern and within one lesson they get relief. The power […]
Movement & Pain
Here is a simple article on how movement can help with pain. https://www.plantcityobserver.com/article/focus-on-fitness-exercise-for-pain-relief
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 […]
Posture and Mindfulness
Turns out our parents were right. Sitting up straight is an important skill to achieve. However, the definition of what “up straight” is can be relative to where our bodies are used to being in space. Yes, we need to have balance between the front, back, and sides of our bodies. We need to have […]
Party like it is 1999!
1999 seems a long time ago, but in the same instance time has flown. As Einstein said, time is relative! When one of my teachers came to me and said, ” Deborah, no one knows where we are.” It gave me pause. So some 18 years after we opened the first studio location in Hannibal Square, […]