How Pilates Developed From A Concept Of A World War I Prisoner To The
Worldwide Phenomenon It Is Today
Our bodies have certain points that, when the right amount of stress is
applied, would stimulate the internal processes in our system. Concentrating
on these points on a regular basis would most definitely guarantee the
proper functioning of the processes within ourselves and would assure that
our bodies are always in tiptop shape. This, in essence, is what Pilates is
all about.
Pilates has risen in popularity in recent years, during what many people
call as a period of new age revival. It can be recalled that in the 1980’s,
a new age movement was launched and that conservative decade ascended to a
level of spirituality that was seemingly lost in the 60’s and the 70’s. The
first few years of this millennium witnessed a renaissance of this movement,
but instead of focusing on the spiritual, the campaign is now promoting
mental wellbeing through physical fitness.
This decade saw the active introduction of practices such as
Yoga and the
likes, aiming to develop the human body into a vehicle that would bring
about good physical and mental health. Pilates is one the present raves of
the health buffs of today, and for good reasons. Aside from the numerous
benefits that can be derived from this activity, pursuing the same is not
beholden to steep requirements. Indeed, there are some expensive equipment
that can be bought to facilitate an enriching session of Pilates, but the
steps that the practice entails can be effectively carried out with a single
ball and an exercise mat as well.
If we would trace the history of this glorious method, we would find out
that Pilates is a creation of Joseph Pilates, hence the name of the
practice. Joseph Pilates is a German national who was forced to suffer
imprisonment in England during the earlier years of the past century. While
in prison, he conceptualized his revolutionary method, a fusion of the
philosophies and practices of Yoga, Zen meditation, and some archaic Greek
and Roman physical exercises. He thereafter developed a series of exercises,
focusing on some pressure points through stress-specific steps and the
integration of balance. Eventually, his years as a boxer and an all-around
athlete provided the final touches in what is now known as Pilates, a
tribute to the founder’s name.
During his confinement, Joseph Pilates developed over 500 focused exercises
to be carried out through five specific apparatuses. These exercises were
designed to concentrate on the quality of bodily movements rather than the
quantity. Whereas in common workouts at gyms all over the world, physical
fitness is developed through gradually increasing resistance as carried out
by a series of repetitions, or reps as they are fondly called, Pilates
limits the number of these movements and instead replaces the necessary
pressure through the degree of difficulty in each exercise vis a vis the
additional stress provided by the accompanying equipment. The result?
Pilates has become a wonderful alternative to sweat-inducing and
muscle-numbing exercises prevalent in conventional workouts.
Through the years, Pilates has been improved as a discipline. Though the
five apparatuses are still commonly used in most Pilates centers the world
over, people can now enjoy the magnificent benefits of the practice by doing
Pilates exercises at the comforts of their own homes. There is no need to
invest on the equipment necessary, as such may prove costly. As we’ve
mentioned earlier, many variations of the exercises have been invented that
simplifies the original design and makes it possible to practice Pilates
through the use of a single ball.
From the prison cell to the whole world, Pilates proves that a good and
beneficial idea knows no boundaries. With the many healthy effects it could
bring about, there is no excuse not to indulge in the many wonderful
exercises of this fun and exciting craft.
Some other types of exercise are
yoga and
tae bo. |
