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Pilates is an exercise system focusing on the body’s stabilizing muscles including the transverse abdominal, internal/external obliques, spinal erectors, inner thighs, glutes, serratus anterior, rhomboids, rear delts, and lats.

In addition to making you stronger and more flexible, Pilates can improve posture, increase body awareness, and prevent injury.

Pilates is an exercise regimen developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s through the 1960’s. It focuses on fluid and dynamic movement. Yoga is a centuries old spiritual practice created in India. Poses are held for a few breathes or longer and in its purest form should be a moving meditation.

While some people do experience weight loss with Pilates that is not its purpose. Pilates is strength and flexibility training focused on detailed movements and using the body’s smaller, stabilizer muscles. In order to lose weight a caloric deficit is needed.

If weight loss is your goal, Ethan can help develop an individualized program involving Pilates, other activities you participate in, and most importantly a nutrition game plan. To lose weight you must dial in your nutrition, that is 80% of the work. Don’t panic, it doesn’t have to be hard, you just need to be aware.

There are various types of Pilates apparatus that are beneficial. Most people are familiar with the mat and reformer, but there are many other types of apparatus. My studio is fully-equipped with Gratz apparatus and I own equipment you will not see at some of the Pilates chains.

Eventually with experience it is possible to maintain your Pilates strength with a mat at home and occasional visits to a professional instructor.

There are no pre-requisites for taking Pilates privates or duets with someone at the same level. If you have any major, medical issues a doctor’s signed approval may be requested.

Joseph Pilates developed his first pieces of apparatus while working as a nurse in a veteran’s hospital during WWI. Many of the soldiers were bed-ridden but Pilates believed they should still get some movement and work their muscles.

The Pilates Method has often been used as rehabilitative exercise either prior to or after surgery. That is why many doctors, orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals recommend it.

Please be aware that with such issues privates are encouraged. Modifications will always be given that fit your needs and if necessary exercises will be eliminated either permanently or temporarily.

Pilates matwork is just you and the mat. The resistance is your body. The Pilates reformer uses springs for resistance. The same exercise (i.e, The Hundred) will feel different on these two pieces of apparatus. Sometimes an exercise is more challenging on the mat because you’re fighting your own body weight; but sometimes it is harder on the reformer because it is a moving apparatus.

I believe both the mat and the reformer are important as are all the other pieces of this Method. Joseph Pilates developed the various apparatus to work in unison with one another, drawing from one’s strengths and/or weaknesses to balance the body.

If so please use the form on the Contact page to submit your question(s). I will send a direct reply to your email as well as create a new FAQ on this page. Thank you.