pilates
PILATES PURE vs APPLIED
The pilates profession has
to become more accountable,
What’s the future of pilates? Should it only ever involve the exercises designed by Joseph Pilates, or can his philosophy be applied while keeping the product moving with the times? Can, and should, pilates evolve to encompass new exercises, equipment, applications and delivery channels? Kate Cracknell asks a panel of industry experts for their thoughts
STEFANIA DELLA PIA
Programme director, education and master instructor trainer Merrithew Health & Fitness
As we learn more about the human body, and discover new applications for pilates, it’s important that we keep the original philosophy of the method moving forward and apply current research about the biomechanics of the body. Once known as the secret weapon of dancers, over the years pilates has become popular as a
T
form of functional fi tness, and is now used by the general public for cross-training, rehabilitation, sports conditioning and general fi tness purposes. Our method caters to different body types and abilities by offering various preparatory exercises
and modifi cations, as well as incorporating props. It’s vital that we continue to enhance, develop and improve on the knowledge we’ve acquired to enable people of all ages and fi tness levels to reap the benefi ts. However, we never lose sight of the foundations and the principles on which our method is based.
Adapt: We must incorporate the latest science in the pilates method, says STOTT
august 2011 © cybertrek 2011
he contemporary STOTT PILATES method has evolved from the original teachings of Joseph Pilates to include modern principles of exercise science.
GLENN WITHERS
Physiotherapist and founding director APPI Healthgroup
accountable. Pilates effectively has two arms now – rehab and fitness – and we must provide more evidence of the benefits in both arenas. Training must also be delivered at an exceptional standard to guarantee professionalism. I believe the evolution of pilates to embrace rehab is in line
Q
with Joseph Pilates’ true, original message. Analysing his 1947 book, Return to Life Through Contrology, the message is about making permanent life changes. I feel that’s been lost along the way, in favour of trying to fi nd the perfect pilates body and perfecting a person’s movement on a mat. The real challenge should be linking pilates exercises to functional change – a means of chronic pain medicine. That’s what our method is all about, and rather than digressing from Joe’s vision, it’s in fact very closely aligned – just with a lot more evidence. How does this translate to health clubs? Trainers need to
ensure that they’re adequately trained, and also that they focus on what clients take away from the sessions, not just what they do in the sessions. Population- or age-specifi c classes designed to change lifestyle are also an option. Of course, pilates is also a technique that defi nes and
shapes the body, and this does not need to change. It just needs to be applied by suitably trained professionals.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 43
uestions have been asked by the public and the media about the validity and evidence behind pilates, and I believe the profession has to become more
whether in the area of rehab or fitness, says Withers
PIC: STOTT PILATES® PHOTOGRAPHY © MERRITHEW CORPORATION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84