Pilates | posturaerespiro

PILATES METHOD

FUSION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST

What happens in your body reflects what happens in your mind and viceversa. Tension and stiffness reduce energy and vitality.

Emotional conflicts and stress lead to chronic muscular tensions that disturb our physical, mental and emotional well being. Every stiff muscle blocks our movements. Our body never forgets what happens in our lives, our story is written in our body. Our way of being, our posture, our illnesses talk about us. By recognizing ourselves, we rediscover our body and make up with it, we acknowledge our needs and respect them.

The pilates method can guide you through a conscious knowledge of your body.

You will better master your motor functions through a series of smooth and harmonious movements (based on the alternation of stretching and isometric contractions, supported by a controlled breathing).

Through the mental sphere you will be able to control the physical sphere, by involving only the muscles that need to do that specific action.

BENEFITS OF PILATES

it improves mobility and flexibility of your backbone
it increases the stability of your torso
it improves your posture and and prevents pains connected to the spine
it improves breathing
it develops your muscular balance and it strengthens the deepest muscles, by working in a selective way on your abdomen; in this way it prevents small injuries caused by sudden movements
it increases control and concentration
it improves coordination and balance

WHO IS IT FOR?

PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM BACK PAIN
PAOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM PERSISTENT MUSCLE CONTRACTURES ON THE NECK
PEOPLE WHO FEEL TO BE BLOCKED OR STIFF, ESPECIALLY ON THE TORSO OR PELVIC AREA
PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM ANXIETHY
PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE NEED TO GET RID OF DAILY STRESS
PEOPLE WHO TEND TO ACCUMULATE TENTIONS IN THE DIAPHRAGM AREA
PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING (AT ANY AGE)

IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED AS ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY THAT INTEGRATES YOUR USUAL TRAINING OR SPORT.

FUSION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The development of J.H. Pilates' technique was influenced by eastern disciplines (like yoga and Chinese acrobatic that teach to connect the movement to the breathing) and by western disciplines and therapies (like Biomechanics, Orthopedics, Osteopathy and Physiotherapy, in terms of movement analysis and postural training).

We make a step forward though: we combine the positive intuitions of Mr. Pilates and the extremely positive intuitions of the Russian Doctor Buteyko, in terms of breathing. In this way we start a conscious personal self therapy.

LEVELS OF CLASSES

All levels use the floor as a tool (Pilates method works against gravity so the floor can be seen as a proper tool) and also small tools to support or challenge the activity (soft ball- fit ball- ring- roll foam- elastic band- balance- wood).

What distinguishes our teaching of the Pilates method is the implementation of the Buteyko method, to reach a better benefit in terms of breathing.

Postural Pilates

Some exercises used in the Pilates method are very useful for a "healthy" backbone, bus some of them could be counterproductive.

This class is gentle, for everybod: as it considers the problems that you have, it involves a customised work program.

This Pilates activity is especially suitable if:

you suffer from neck pain (due to tensions or posture)
you had a whiplash
our have problems in your shoulder
you suffer from lower back pain
you suffer from chronic sciatica
you have problems in your hips
you feel pain in your lower back or groin that are probably caused by tansions in the psoas major and iliacus muscles
you have a pathology in your spine, such as disc bulge, a compressed spine, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, arthrosis.

Pilates - basic

It's the first level that you join after a couple of pre-Pilates lessons (that are classes with small group of learners who want to approach the method or you can join the postural Pilates lessons at first).

It's a complete workout that requires a certain physical effort and mind concentration.

Pilates - intermediate

It's the second level you join after having followed the first level lesson.

The workout gets more demanding for the body; you must also keep your mind very focused to succeed in your exercises.

Pilates - advanced

It's the third level that you join after the second one.

The workout is now very smooth and extremely demanding, so you need a good fitness level and mind consentration.

Pilates in pregnancy

It's a specific workout for expectant mothers, that is included in the postural classes or conceived for private lessons.

Practicing Pilates during pregnancy is very important because abdominal and pelvic muscles are kept fit and elastic; it is also important to keep practicing it after the childbirth to recover those muscles tone.

Pelvic Pilates

It's a specific workout that wants to recover and keep the pelvic floor fit. We combine the Kegel manoeuvre and the exercises of the Pilates method.

Pilates using the soul mat (Pat Gavoni method)

By using this tool, we further stimulate the proprioceptive system throughout the whole training session, by leaving the spine free from any pressure and by doing a sort of finger pressure on the spinal and paraspinal muscles.