Why Study Classical Pilates?

Living in NYC, I cannot feasibly recount the number of Pilates and yoga studios I pass everyday. Even if I'm on the train to school, all the smaller Westchester County towns are bursting to the brim with "alternative" ways to exercise.

When a new student wants to begin exercising, how do they decide on Pilates? And further, how do they decide to study Authentic/Classical Pilates, and why should they?

Where many new students decide to practice is highly dependent on the "sexiness" of the studio and the way the business and exercise techniques are marketed. It doesn't surprise anyone to hear that "yoga" (including all popular forms) is en vogue and represents a certain lifestyle that perhaps also includes health food stores, fancy water bottles and meditation. Let me say this, I go to health food stores weekly and meditate numerous times daily; both are integral parts of my lifestyle! That being said, it's important when deciding to begin exercising to be discerning. If you're going to spend money, why not get the biggest bang for your buck!?

Pilates may seem intimidating to those who haven't exercised much before. The word itself is synonymous with dedication, professional dancers, the "abdominal series" and in some cases, being a "medieval" form of exercise; and ya know what, it's kinda true! Joseph Pilates used springs and metal to completely astound the medical community at the time and demonstrate his incredible ability to condition and rehabilitate bodies.

Classical Pilates as opposed to quick-fix, divergent forms, focuses on the original principles Joseph Pilates and his successors envisioned upon creating the techniques.

I harp on repeating the Six Principles of Pilates, but in an Authentic Pilates method, Concentration, Control, Centering, Precision, Flow and Breath, offer the necessary components to achieve the same high level of fitness, meditation and health that is synonymous with the yogi lifestyle. Pilates IS "yoga" in a denotative sense; "yoga" itself is a Sanskrit word for discipline and Pilates IS discipline. Mainstream Yoga and Pilates each have strengths and some similarities, but they are exceedingly different.

When practicing the Classical method of Pilates, you can be almost certain that your instructors have received intense time and experience based substantive training. Instructors in Classical methods don't simply get their certification in a couple of weeks or a month, they receive something exceeding 700 hours of experience before working as professionals in the industry! When taking a non Authentic class, there is no way to know if your instructor has the necessary background in anatomy and physiology and in observing other instructors to offer helpful "expertise," rather than destructive and under-tested forms of stretching and strengthening. What's the point in doing Pilates and becoming in worse shape? Pilates is a great element in the process of rehabilitating a body and helping to deal with injuries, but not all studios are created equally.

I think of myself as a discerning individual, partly because I want to help my body become stronger, and also because I simply don't have the time and money to spend on something that's not going to help me in the long run. I would never attend a college or university for a program that I didn't first heavily research. Pilates is an investment, and it might just be the investment that changes the way you live the rest of your life.

Tease On and Know the Difference!!


Ian

It's Been A While!--But I Passed Round Two

Hello there! It has been a few weeks since I've lasted posted as I've been plunged deeply into a head space of Pilates, artistic projects and work, however, I am back and going to be updating regularly again!

As the title suggests, I have passed the second leg of my mat certification course! The intermediate test was significantly more challenging in terms of hands on and verbalization of cues, but it was a GREAT exercise in putting the necessary pressure on me to become a better instructor. After practicing so much for the exam, I now feel confident teaching beginner-intermediate mat and am able to take myself more seriously as someone who actually knows what they're doing!

I look forward to teaching and practicing more, and I can feel myself becoming stronger and more flexible every week! I will be posting soon about how Authentic Classical Pilates has helped to deeply condition my body and make me feel monumentally better. Although there are many manifestations of Joseph Pilates original work in the Pilates world, I find it EXTREMELY important to bring attention to the Classical method that focuses on research, anatomy and physiology, and takes the time and effort to train instructors in a substantive manner over a significant period of time. But, more to come on that later!

Tease On into the advanced level!

Ian