About Pilates™

The Authentic Pilates™ Method

Pilates™, or The Art of Contrology, was conceptualized by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s.   The exercises were designed to promote a strong, supple and streamlined body without bulk.  Great emphasis is placed on engaging the mind to control the body's movement.  Inspired by sports conditioning programs (Joe was a boxer, diver, gymnast) and perhaps by movement-based yoga forms as well,  Pilates™ is dynamic and alive.  A Pilates™ workout is strength-building, sweat-generating and energizing; it promotes flexibility while being gentle on the joints.  It slims your midsection, improves your body's alignment, and enhances your breathing.  People often note improvement in their asthma, scoliosis, and various joint pains and muscular aches, PLUS they get a good workout that improves their figure and sense of well-being.  Many versions of Pilates™ exist, Authentic Pilates™ being the original, unmodified version passed down by Joe through Romana Kryzanowska (Drago's Gym, NY).

While Pilates™ is a whole-body exercise system, great emphasis is given to the powerhouse – the muscles of the abdomen, back and buttocks – and the box – parallel lines running across the shoulders and hips.  This is the body's core:  with a strong center, the rest of the body can move freely and efficiently.  Integral to strengthening the powerhouse is lifting  – which involves pulling the stomach in while lengthening the spine and the hips.  The result:  a stronger, slimmer midsection.  Because a strong powerhouse lends strength to the extremities, big cumbersome muscles in the arms and legs are unnecessary.  The result:  a sleeker, stronger, more efficient body.

In the course of a typical workout, one performs 20 to upwards of 50 different exercises of limited repetitions (no more than ten).  An instructor certified in Authentic Pilates™ builds workouts for an individual based on a system – from a list of over 500 exercises on different apparatus, those most appropriate for that individual at that point in time are chosen.  Exercise variety, low repetitions, and emphasis on proper form and control make for a physically challenging workout that is also mentally engaging and refreshing.

The Mat exercises were the first exercises that Joseph Pilates developed.  Even today, Mat is considered the ultimate Powerhouse exercise.  Romana Kryzanowska encourages her clients to learn the Mat program that corresponds to their level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Super Advanced) so that if they are unable to come to the studio they can do Mat to stay in shape.  Once learned, only selected mat exercises are done in the studio, freeing time for more apparatus work.  Mat can also be done by itself, at home or in a class setting.  It is best to take lessons from a QUALIFIED instructor before doing mat solely at home, so the exercises can be modified for your body as your body adapts to the exercises.

Joseph Pilates initially designed equipment to assist his clients in learning the Mat exercises.  The Cadillac [photo] was the first of these.  He used springs to assist as well as resist.  The exercises were developed and refined in tandem with the equipment.  

The Reformer [photo] was born later, along with more and more exercises.  It eventually became the apparatus.  At least half of a typical session today involves work on the Reformer, which reforms the body.  The remaining time is spent on Mat and on other equipment in accordance with the individual's needs and capabilities.

Joseph Pilates marketed the Wunda Chair [photo], the most portable of the spring-based apparatus, as an exercise apparatus for the home.  Turned over onto its back it could be hidden in the living room as a stylish piece of furniture.  These days, Chair exercises are integrated into the system.

Other more common pieces of equipment include the Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and Small Barrel, the High Chair, the Pedipole and the Magic Circle.