Pilates

Pilates - What is it?  ::   Testimonials  ::   Class Schedule

Pilates dramatically transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs. It builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body with slender thighs and a flat abdomen. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement. Pilates improves flexibility, agility and economy of motion. It can even help alleviate back pain.

Professional dancers have used Pilates for decades. Top athletes use it for strength, flexibility and injury prevention. Hollywood celebrities and supermodels use it to maintain beautiful physiques.

A miracle? Not really. Developed from the techniques of Joseph Pilates, Balanced Body Pilates is a safe, sensible exercise system that will help you look and feel your very best. No matter what your age or condition, it will work for you.

• Builds strength without “bulking up”
• Increases flexibility and agility
• Develops optimal core control
• Creates flat abdominals, slender thighs and a strong back
• A refreshing mind-body workout
• Challenging yet safe

Develops a strong core
Building on the principles of Joseph Pilates, Balanced Body Pilates develops a strong “core,” or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Pilates exercises develop core control, integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle.

Builds long muscles and flexible joints
Conventional workouts tend to build short, bulky muscles - the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, developing muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.

Creates an evenly conditioned body
In conventional workouts, weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance - a primary cause of injury and chronic back pain. Pilates conditions the whole body - even the ankles and feet. No muscle group is overtrained or undertrained. Your entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease and less chance of injury.

Trains efficient patterns of motion
Pilates exercises train several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous movements. By developing proper technique, you can actually re-train your body to move in safer, more efficient patterns of motion - invaluable for injury recovery, sports performance, good posture and optimal health.

Improves the mind-body connection
Balanced Body Pilates gets your mind in tune with your body. By emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and complete concentration on smooth, flowing movement, you become acutely aware of how your body feels, where it is in space, and how to control its movement. The quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Proper breathing is essential. Correct breathing helps you execute movements with maximum power and efficiency. Last but not least, learning to breathe properly can reduce stress.

One of the safest workouts you can use
No other exercise system is so gentle to your body while giving it a challenging workout. Many of the exercises are performed in reclining or sitting positions, and most are low impact and partially weight bearing. Balanced Body Pilates is so safe, it is used in physical therapy facilities to rehabilitate injuries

Pilates Method

The Pilates Method focuses on building a healthy, injury-free body by encouraging controlled and concentrated movement. It centers the body with breathing awareness while maintaining a dynamic flow (dynamic spinal stabilization).

If you want to be in better control of your body, both mentally and physically, this Method focuses on using the body as a whole, not dividing it into separate parts. It improves strength, flexibility, balance, control and muscular symmetry. The series of rhythmic exercises promote elongated and toned muscle, and are noted for turning the abdominal, lower back and hips into the body's power center. The Pilates Method should be done three times a week for the best results, and is done in two ways. One way is exercise with spring resistant machines. The other is the mat work which is a series of floor exercises designed to use the body's power center or "powerhouse". The routine requires one to perform various exercises with a limited number of repetitions while making a smooth transition from one move into the next.

 Testimonials

                                                 
When I broke my back in 1987, I was determined to come back even stronger than before.  I joined the Walnut Pier where I lifted weights and swam.  I also cycled on my own.  Because I had steel rods attached from lumbar 1-5, I was advised to avoid back exercises and I did until the Club acquired the back machine about 2 years ago.  I slowly increased the weight and strengthened my lower back. Last year, I heard about Pilates and started to attend classes twice a week. My fused back limits my movement, but my core strength has improved as well as my hamstring flexibility. I credit Pilates for improving my tennis and especially my skiing.  I skied several times last winter with much more strength, balance, and control. At age 62, I need all the strength and flexibility I can get and Pilates provides it all.    Bill Graham

I have been going to Pilates for 6 months and one of the first things that I have noticed after one month was that my clothes were not as snug.  The other positive aspect has been the increase in my endurance.  I find that now when I do the weights and other classes, that I have more stamina and I am more conscious of how I hold my “core section” when away from the gym as well.      Stephanie Fodor

                                        
         

I suffered a devastating, life-threatening boat injury on September 8, 2002.  As a part of my recovery, my doctors at the Rehabilitation Institute of Santa Barbara issued a prescription for Pilates.  They also issued one for aqua-exercise.  The only place in town I could do both is at Walnut Pier.  I am very thankful for Walnut Pier!

Everyone at Walnut Pier has been fantastic and encouraging.  In particular, Karin Montoya has been very patient and understanding while teaching me Pilates.  Only Pilates specifically targets the pelvic floor, abdominals and obliques, and the lower back.  All of these areas were severely damaged by the accident.  Although I am only in the beginning stages of this portion of my recovery, I can feel the Pilates strengthening my “core muscles”.  I have increased energy and the Pilates is also helping me to overcome the tendency to compensate for injuries with poor posture.  I have lost eleven pounds in the process as well.  Pilates has become a permanent and important part of my exercise regimen.  Larry Skahill

I’ve been doing Pilates for about 6 months.  At first I wondered if I’d ever “get the breathing” and see a difference in my body.  I practice the breathing at odd times so I’ll be better when I attend the class and that has helped.  I find myself feeling better and stronger after a Pilates session. I think my posture is improving and I can feel some stomach muscles starting to form so I am definitely going to continue taking Pilates.     Mary Graham

I have been taking the noon time Pilates class taught by Karin Montoya for the past 6 months.  It has given me strength and confidence.  I find that the breathing and core work has given me strength in other classes that I take.  It also helps me in teaching my PACE classes.  It has given me a sense of my body and helped me in my everyday activities.  I am more focused on my posture and breathing.    Carol DuPree