Pilates exercise system to promote back health

Pilates is an exercise program that focuses on the core postural "muscles" that help keep the body balanced and are essential to provide support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of neutral alignment of the spine and strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this alignment, which are important to help alleviate and prevent back pain.

Important principles of the Pilates exercise program include:

• Use of mental focus to improve movement efficiency and muscle control
• Awareness of neutral spine alignment, or proper posture, throughout the exercises
• Development of the deep muscles of the back and abdomen to support this posture
• Use of breath to promote mental focusing and centering
• Creating length, strength, and flexibility in muscles

Initially the Method was used by professional dancers, who appreciated improved strength, balance and flexibility.  In the 1980’s Pilates was re-discovered and became a popular exercise for its health benefits.

The exercise system is usually taught in one of two formats:

• Using the unique Pilates equipment in private, or semi-private, sessions
• Group mat classes not using equipment

Mat exercises                              

Usually taught as part of a group class, mat exercises primarily focus on strengthening the muscles of the trunk and hip and increasing the flexibility of both the spine and hips.

While the scope of the mat program is limited, compared to the machines, many mat exercises illustrate the Pilates principles.

Lately, Pilates has merged with other techniques, such as yoga, or use an exercise ball and rings. It promotes creative integration of the Pilates principles into a greater range of exercises in the mat class setting. 

It is an efficient way to improve posture, alleviate  and prevent back health, gain flexibility, rise energy level and re-shape the body in a short period of time with no pain or sweat in a clean study with natural light, right temperature and nice music.