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I started a Pilates regimen when I was 12, although I didn’t know it a the time. A year prior I had been told that I had Scoliosis. It was not severe enough for surgery or even a brace, but I had to start seeing a doctor for occasional check-ups. Years later, when Pilates saw a huge surge in popularity, I realized that the exercises I had been doing since my early teens were, in fact, Pilates. I decided in my late teens to expand into the method and try some more challenging exercises.
Pilates is the only form of exercise I enjoy, with the exception of dancing and yoga. Even swimming, which is excellent exercise, has lost its luster through the years.
For those of you unfamiliar with Pilates, it’s a system of exercises developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. The method focuses on core muscles (i.e. your abdomen), strengthening the spine and improving posture; this is why I was started on the method, and also why it’s very popular among dancers. While it may seem similar to yoga, and there are some parallels such as a focus on breathing, it’s more active and involves more isometrics, increasing strength.
I am, frankly, quite lazy. I’ve rested on my generous hereditary laurels for years and rarely exercise. However, as I am nearing the big 3-0, I’ve noticed that my metabolism is slowing and I can’t simply eat whatever I want any longer and remain physically static.
I have used two instructional tools for years and I want to recommend them to those of you interested in giving the method a try. I’ve gifted them to a few friends and everyone has loved them. The first is a video by Jennifer Kries called The Method Pilates. I owned this on VHS (remember those?) in my teens and now own it on DVD. It’s the best Pilates video I’ve used. The second is a book called “The Pilates Body,” by Brooke Siler. It’s laid out beautifully, it’s highly approachable and very easy to follow. It supplies variations on exercises for beginners and follows the “proper” method steps.
Please let me know if you try either of these out! As for me, I am kicking off a late 2009 resolution: MORE PILATES.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE Pilates. I use to do it all the time. I need to start again. It toned me up faster than anything else I have ever tried.
When I was 13 I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatters disease that was suppose to clear up in two years but has continued into my adult life (yea for me). Because of it I have to watch what type of activity I do because it can cause a lot of pain and inflammation in my knees. Stuff like Tae bo or basically anything with deep knee bends is a no no for me. Even yoga is too much stress on my knees. Pilates however is glorious for it and so gentle on my crappy knee tendons. It was also nice when I threw my back out on a dig.
I need to find my Pilates dvd now
I’m so glad you posted this!!! I’ve tried yoga a few times but never really got into it (can’t calm my monkey mind). So naturally I’m interested in pilates. So is it something you can do at home/gym without taking classes? Do you need all the weird equipment/doo-dads that I’ve seen used sometimes? Thanks again…
JessMess- I do Pilates at home and there are tons of instructional tapes out there for mat Pilates. I find it to be pretty effective too. You can take classes where you use the machines.
When I go to the gym, about half way through I always like to grab a mat and do some of the Pilates. Sometimes it works out my abs more than anything else at the gym
Even though I am a total yoga and dance head I just cannot get into Pilates. For some reason the repetitiveness of the movements makes my mind go insane and I end up in a horrible mood. Kundalini Yoga has the same effect on me. I think it’s the breathing.
Oh I used to do Pilates, but I had Vhs tapes as well and never made the big change to dvd. I really liked it, as opposed to yoga which I never could get into. Thanks for the recommendations.
For those of you who have digital cable, check out the Namaste Yoga program on FitTV. It’s a great little 30-minute yoga workout; I DVR it and fast-forward through the two brief commercials (after warm-up and before cool-down). I really like it because the breathing instructions actually sync up with the music (unlike some crappy yoga DVDs I’ve tried to use in the past).
In general, though, I prefer lifting weights — I am just not naturally flexible enough to ever be really good at yoga or Pilates. (This is also part of what killed my dance career: tight hamstrings and bad feet.)
Also, I’m another girl who rested on my genetic laurels and started gaining weight as I push 30. Boo. It sucks. But at least we have tons of workout options at our disposal, what with cable, On Demand, DVDs, online stuff (not to mention actual gyms).
Ooh, thanks for the video recommendation! I will totally be trying it. Between scoliosis (minor) and a compression fracture to my first three lumbar vertebrae in a car accident that left me 1/4 in. shorter on my left side (not so minor), I’ve got an effed up back, terrible posture, and just a lot of general not-right-ness. I keep hearing that I should try Pilates but am way too intimidated to jump into a class!
FunnyFace – If you want a Pilates class recommendation, the gym on Sam Rittenburg Blvd (Family Fitness something?) had a GREAT instructor named Julie who taught me everything I know. Pilates got me in the best shape I was ever in – complete with actual arm muscles and definition in my thighs. I haven’t found a gym with good classes where I live now, so I will be checking out the DVD you recommend Penny. Thank you!
My mom just started pilates and has been raving about it, and my gym just started offering a class in mat pilates, and I think I may finally have to give it a try. I’ve definitely noticed myself becoming more prone to back-aches after a soccer match (or even a long day at the office) lately, and hopefully this will help. I’m totally going to check out that DVD.