What is Pilates?
Pilates, pronounced puh-LAH-teez, was created over 90 years ago by Joseph Hubertus Pilates. It is a system of over 500 exercises, including about 35 of them that have been modified for mat and standing exercises for the general public. Most of the exercises are performed lying on your back, side or front. The mat exercises target the deep abdominal and spine muscles to provide core strength. Developing core strength helps us in everyday activities. Pilates exercises borrow from dance, yoga, some gymnastic moves. However a lot of the exercises are original moves created by Joseph Pilates himself. The goal of Pilates is to maximize the strength of our 'powerhouse'. This is the area where many of the exercises initiate from and the area that is being challenged in Pilates exercises. Pilates realigns posture, lengthens the spine, stretches, elongates, and strengthens muscles without building bulk.

The basic priniciples of Pilates are: 1.Concentration  2.Breath  3.Centering

4.Control  5.Precision  6.Flowing movement  7.Isolation  8.Routine

The Powerhouse
The powerhouse is the group of muscles that wrap around your mid-section,
like a girdle. These muscles are your abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis,
transverse abdominis, internal/external obliques - you still have them, unless
you had them surgically removed), your butt muscles (gluteus medius/gluteus maximus),
your back muscles (particularly along your spine), and your inner thigh muscles.
You will see marked changes especially around your belly, butt and thighs after about
10 sessions. The powerhouse is what is activated throughout the Pilates exercises. 
 
The Pelvic Floor Muscles/ Pubococcygeus muscle (PC)
The pelvic floor muscles act as a dynamic platform at the base of the pelvis.
They function both as a support mechanism and as an aid to bladder and
bowel function. Strong pelvic floor muscles assist in decreasing the chance for
urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor muscles that are well-trained may also improve orgasmic potential in women and even erectile function in men.
O.K... If this doesn't sell you, nothing will! To work your pelvic floor muscles; you have to perform a 'lift and squeeze' movement. It is the action used to stop the flow of urine midstream and to stop the passage of gas (farting).

In Personal Consultations, we will give you information about utilizing 'The Kegelmaster' as part of your training to help find and strengthen your PC muscle. Click on link below (Women take that first step...) for more info. 

It is now believed that the pelvic floor muscles work best in conjuction with the transverse abdominis, which is contracted constantly during Pilates exercises. 

ALWAYS REMEMBER…A STRONG POWERHOUSE IS SEXY!
For Information about Our Pilates Classes visit "The Shakin’ N’ Bakin’ Pilates Workout…Not Your Ordinary Exercise Class"