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
Adolescent memories of being admonished to “stand up straight and
tuck in your stomach” surfaced when I was told by someone they’d
noticed an improvement in my posture since participating in Pilates.
In addition, I’ve learned another meaning for the work “core” as it
related to balance and control of ones body. The Pilates method of
breathing has been incorporated into my walking and other
disciplines. Pilates compliments the other noon classes I’m
involved in. I recommend it! Sally Goetsch
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.
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