A Pilates session

How it works
Pilates exercise works the body from the inside out, beginning with deep structural muscles of the diaphragm, pelvis, lower back and buttocks, and then working up and out to the muscles of the chest, shoulders, upper back and extremities.

All movement in Pilates is focused on what Olympic trainers call the "centre." This is the point between the upper half and lower half of the body between the right and left side. Joseph Pilates referred to this as the "girdle of strength."

The Pilates exercise technique is a complete fitness method and when performed regularly, positively changes bodies. It combines awareness of the spine, proper breathing and strength and flexibility training.

A unique exercise technique
What also makes the Pilates exercise technique unique among similar forms of exercise is that it slims the muscles, making them more compact by developing slenderness rather than bulk. The outcome is a balanced body, which is strong and supple with a flat stomach, balanced legs and a strong back.

Its effects are more than just physical: you will feel revitalised, relaxed, confident, invigorated and more flexible through a new sense of well-being!

Joseph Pilates pioneered his fitness philosophy in order to overcome his own disabilities, combining elements of yoga, breath work, weight training and gymnastics to bring the body into proper alignment.

He believed that most of us have imbalanced bodies because we tend to overdevelop the stronger muscle groups, which ultimately leads to poor posture and spinal misalignment. His goal was to create and maintain a structurally fit body.