How is Pilates different from Yoga?
Which is harder, matwork or equipment work?
How can Pilates exercises benefit me?
What are the basic principles of Pilates?
Why is breathing an important aspect of Pilates?
What makes Pilates different than other fitness systems?
Why should I do Pilates?
What type of Pilates is best for me?
How often should I practice?
What should I expect at my first session?
What should I wear?

How is Pilates different from Yoga?
Both have some similarities, but Pilates entails fluid movement instead of holding poses.
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Which is harder, matwork or equipment work?
Pilates movements can be done on a mat or on one of the pieces of Pilates equipment.

Matwork: The body supplies its own resistance by way of oppositional energy, balanced tension & eccentric contraction of the muscle fibers.

The Equipment: Offers support & assists the body in its discovery of muscle isolation & movement efficiency. The equipment is designed with springs to facilitate internal resistance within the body to stabilize, stretch, lenghthen & lift.

The equipment; the bars, blocks, pads & handles help us push, pull, reach, square off & stay put. The equipment also requires greater exertion to work against the springs & the resistance of our body weight. This results in us firing larger & more muscle groups; building overall strength more quickly than on the mat. The matwork guarantees the deep abdominal soreness; being that the matwork is well-taught & well performed. On the mat, our bodies provide strength, precision & the control that is necessary to perform each move properly.
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How can Pilates exercises benefit me?
Exercises are designed to rebalance muscles around the joints and restore the natural curves of the spine. As you explore your body in motion, what once appeared to be a simple movement becomes quite complex. You become aware of the enormous impact that a slight adjustment to the movement has on the whole. Through this awareness, you re-educate the musculature to bring physical harmony and balance to the body. This in turn releases tension, diminishes pain, and improves the way the body functions, looks and feels.
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What are the basic principles of Pilates?

  1. BREATH
  2. PRECISION
  3. CONCENTRATION
  4. FLOWING MOVEMENT
  5. OPPOSITIONAL ENERGY
  6. INITIATING MOVEMENT

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Why is breathing an important aspect of Pilates?
Breathing is the primary abdominal exercise; on inhalation the pelvic floor, transverse abdominus & diaphragm relax to allow the ribcage to expand in 3 dimensions with the lungs (lungs also allow the spine to extend & decompress. On exhalation the pelvic floor & diaphragm concentrically contract to expel air from the lungs; the transverse abdominus (TA) & obliques work to move the ribs & activate the pelvis, bringing the spine into a small flexion. This breathing allows the abs & pelvic floor to work & the ribcage to move as it helps decompress the spine. Inhaling through the nose is preferred because our nasal cavities are lined with hairs to help filter the air we breathe.
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What makes Pilates different than other fitness systems?
Because your mind is required to engage w/your body to perform the movements correctly, you experience a new awareness of muscle function & control.
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Why should I do Pilates?
There are many benefits to doing Pilates on a regular basis. Pilates can help improve: strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, posture, pain, injury, circulation, alignment and awareness. The more you do Pilates, the more you realize that the list of benefits goes on and on.

Pilates is an exercise method designed to condition and connect body and mind. The Pilates method combines these exercises with mental concentration and breath work. The primary focus of Pilates is to strengthen the core, the area between your hips and sternum known as your power house. The power house is your body's center source for power, balance, and movement. The core muscles include inner thigh muscles, all spinal muscles, and four layers of abdominal muscles. These muscles work together to support the spine, which in turn, promotes good posture. Pilates works the deepest layers of these muscles, as well as the hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes. When your core isn't strong, you lack the torso stability to fully access your power and move efficiently.

Pilates lengthens your core by concentrating on lengthening the spine by creating more space between each vertebra. Unlike weightlifting, which concentrates on one muscle at a time, and tends to shorten the muscles. During weight lifting and even during a stomach crunch, you strengthen as you shorten the muscles, essentially bringing the ends of each muscle closer to each other. During Pilates, you work your muscles through a fuller range of motion. You strengthen as you lengthen, so the ends of the muscles are farther apart, not contracted. This effect is what gives you a longer, leaner and realigned body!
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What type of Pilates is best for me?
Pilates is appropriate for all sorts of people, from the unconditioned to the fittest. Most classes are designed for multiple ability levels & the exercises can be modified to fit your needs. Everyone work at their own level and towards their own personal fitness goals. The type of class each client chooses is highly individual. We recommend starting with a private session before moving on to a group class. This way, a Certified Pilates Instructor is able to work with you to determine your individual needs and goals.
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How often should I practice?
Taking classes two to three days a week is ideal to see the benefits of Pilates. If you choose to take a Pilates class once a week, we recommend you complement it with a home mat work out once or twice a week.
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What should I expect at my first session?
When you first come to Rejuvenate Massage Therapy & Pilates Studio, you and your Pilates Instructor will discuss your fitness goals, injuries and any special issues you may have. You will learn the basics of Pilates breathing, movement, technique and equipment. As your sessions progress, so will your technique, core strength and stabilization, and mind-body awareness.
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What should I wear?
Sessions are taken barefoot, wear comfortable close fitting clothes that aren't baggy. No jeans or clothing that can restrict your movement. We need to see which muscles are working; this allows us to correct any imbalances.
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