Green Valley Fitness

About Pilates

Joseph Pilates (pronounced Pi-lah-tis) was born in Germany in 1880, and it was during World War 1 when he was confined to a camp in England that he began to develop and teach his holistic regime of exercises to others. It was 1918 when there was an influenza epidemic that killed thousands, but Joseph Pilates and all those who followed his regime survived. This made him think that developing his exercise regime further would be worthwhile. The exercises had transformed Joseph from a frail and sick child, to a fit and healthy man. He became a figurehead of total well-being for many dancers, actors, artisans and others who followed his exercise regime. Sadly, Joseph Pilates died from smoke inhilation in his eighties in New York trying to save his own Pilates Studio from a fire.

The Stott Pilates follows the original exercises developed by Joseph Pilates, but former professional dancer Moira Merrithew developed them further and using the latest research in exercise physiology, brought out a repertoire consisting of more than 500 systematic mat and equipment-based exercises, including unique preparation, essential, intermediate and advanced level workouts, as well as balanced exercise sequences and modifications to address special populations.

Meg Walker has trained with Stott Pilates at the UK appointed Stott Pilates training centre with Active Pilates based in Oxford. Meg is a qualified Stott Pilates Matwork Instructor.

There are a number of Pilates training organizations in the UK, and most of them have developed a series of basic principles to help participants get the most out of the exercises. In Stott Pilates, Basic Principles refer to a series of biomechanical body awareness issues that provide the basis for the exercises in the technique. Rather than being separate or discrete, the five principles – breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and stabilization, and head and cervical placement – work together to create Intelligent Exercise that is both safe and effective. Understanding the principle from an early stage on a course ensures that you will become aware of how your body functions. This will enhance your skill level and mindfulness, and allow you to be in control of executing each exercise in order to reap the full benefits.

STOTT PILATES exercise is a musculoskeletal conditioning programme that should be practiced at least two to three times per week, and up to six times a week. The average active person doing classes every other day, should see some results within 10-12 classes. This will vary depending on the individual and other factors such as the frequency of classes taken, whether they are private or group classes, participation in other physical activities and the level of fitness to start (i.e. if there are any injuries or conditions that need to be taken into account).

Improved results will be found when Pilates is performed in combination with some kind of cardiovascular exercise (walking, running, aerobics, aqua fitness etc.). It is also a great complement to a strengthening or weight training program. Most importantly, the best results will be achieved when the work is done with a well-trained, Certified Instructor.