Question 1

What are the benefits of Pilates?

Accepted Answer

Regular practice of Pilates brings many benefits:• Lengthen muscles, refine the silhouette and regain a flat stomach.• Strengthen the abdominal strap and back muscles.• Loosen up muscles and ligaments and therefore prevent injuries.• Gain balance, mobility and coordination.• Improve posture and body alignment.• Free up joints and increase bone density.• Increase control and awareness of your body.• Increase lung capacity and circulation through deep, healthy breathing.• Improve emotional health.• Reduce stress and stress-related disorders.• Contribute to the recovery of certain conditions of the locomotor system• Improve performance in other sports

Question 2

Who is Pilates for?

Accepted Answer

There is no age or fitness level required to start pilates. Joseph Pilates practiced his entire life until the age of 87! Pilates is for anyone who wants to take charge of their body, rediscover the pleasure of moving without pain, mastering their movements, and freeing themselves from the tensions generated by daily life. Without sudden or risky movements on the body, Pilates is an excellent form of exercise for people who suffer from pain, tension or muscle weakness and who do not necessarily do sports. However, certain categories of people: pregnant women (see answer below), people suffering from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hip/knee/back problems and those over 65 should seek the doctor's approval.Back and neck pain are often associated with poor posture. During the day we do not think enough about the way we stand. Bad postures accumulate during car journeys, sitting or standing at work, even certain sports can aggravate or change posture creating tension. The abdominal muscles and the postural muscles of the back work less and other muscles take over. This is how we feel pain in the neck, tension in the shoulders and lower back and we see a lack of abdominal tone.Pilates can help correct posture by strengthening weak muscles and improving their flexibility. Through Pilates, you can achieve better alignment of joints and balance muscle groups, making the body more symmetrical and movements more fluid and efficient.So you will learn how to behave correctly during everyday actions that could trigger attacks, such as carrying heavy groceries or children, doing household chores, driving, etc.This method can also be considered as a complement to amateur or professional sports training and physical rehabilitation. Many high-level athletes use Pilates to reduce the risk of injury or to regain their muscular capacities after an injury.

Question 3

What type of course to take?

Accepted Answer

Whatever the type of class, the teacher will explain each movement and will position you verbally or by his hands to ensure your safety and progress during the exercises. The teacher will guide you with his voice to give you the rhythm of the exercise and will associate the exercises with images to better understand and feel. Due to the individualization of the classes, the teacher chooses the movement sequences according to the individuals and will suggest modifications during a group class or advise private lessons.During each exercise, you work on strengthening, flexibility, proprioception, balance, breathing. The body always remains in motion and each exercise includes stretching and muscle contractions. The work relies heavily on breathing rhythm and feeling. We therefore finish with the feeling of having worked the muscles in depth while being relaxed. The higher the level, the more the number and speed of the exercises increase.

Question 4

How often should I take my classes?

Accepted Answer

Regular practice is necessary to obtain fast and effective results. One to two sessions per week are recommended in group classes or one private class per week. You are encouraged to practice certain movements at home.By practicing 2 times a week, you will start to see results after 10-12 sessions. This depends on the individual, their physical condition and the type of class; group or private.You should not try to replace your usual sports activities with Pilates. You should see it as a complement that will make you stronger and more efficient in your sports movements.

Question 5

What are the differences from traditional fitness exercises?

Accepted Answer

Often in traditional fitness exercises, we focus on the most superficial muscle of the abdominals, the rectus abdominis, by doing repetitive flexions of the spine.One of the special features of Pilates is that it works the transverse and obliques in synergy with the rectus abdominis, because these are the deep muscles of the abdominal region that play an important role in strengthening and stabilizing the spine. Pilates focuses on:– strengthening the body’s center of gravity to allow the arms and legs to work with the support of a strong center.– eccentric work which opens the joints and lengthens the muscles– the low number of repetitions to work on quality rather than quantity– the precision of the movement to obtain the desired result– the variety of exercises (there are more than 500)– attention to body positioning during exercises– resistance is provided either by your own body or by springs which do not traumatize the joints– working all the muscles of the body in synergy instead of working muscle groups, to really acquire strength.

Question 6

Does Pilates help you lose weight?

Accepted Answer

Yes and No. Pilates does not melt fat like cardiovascular exercise but it does help significantly change the appearance of your body. You will not lose weight on the scale because muscle weighs more than fat but you will gain muscle tone which will give you a slimmer, more toned appearance.Pilates helps control weight problems. By becoming aware of your body, you are less likely to let yourself go when you feel your body firming up. Thanks to the deep and long work, the waist, hips, thighs and buttocks will become slimmer.Pilates can also work the cardiovascular system when you reach a level advanced enough to be able to link the exercises together with fluidity. In this case, you will sweat and burn a lot more calories.

Question 7

Can pregnant women practice Pilates?

Accepted Answer

YES but always ask your doctor's advice before starting Pilates classes. It is not recommended to start Pilates during pregnancy.It is possible to take group classes on mats up to the 4th month. It is then advisable to move on to equipment classes to provide more support to the body.Whatever the course, the teacher will suggest modifications depending on the stage of pregnancy. We obviously offer private lessons that allow us to adapt the course to each woman.The Pilates method allows you to live your pregnancy pleasantly, to recover from childbirth as quickly as possible and to get back into shape. To resume classes after childbirth, you should first do perineal rehabilitation and get the doctor's opinion before starting classes.Here are some benefits of Pilates during pregnancy:Pilates helps to take into account and accept the changes in the body during pregnancy through exercises focused on the abdomen, pelvis and posterior regions.By preparing the body in this way, we create better support for the baby and more balanced muscles for the mother-to-be.Flexibility allows you to increase your range of motion and feel more comfortable.Breathing in Pilates helps prepare for childbirth.Women who do Pilates before pregnancy have a lower risk of abdominal separation and are more likely to achieve a flatter stomach after giving birth.Improving balance and posture during pregnancy reduces back pain.

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