Neurocore Pilates

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body. Pilates' focus is on quality of movement rather than quantity, which makes you feel invigorated rather than exhausted after a session. It is a balanced blend of strength and flexibility training that improves posture, balance and coordination, reduces stress, and creates long, lean muscles without bulking up. Pilates works several muscle groups simultaneously through smooth, continuous motion, with a particular concentration on strengthening and stabilizing the core (the abdomen, back and pelvic girdle region).

Who is Joseph Pilates?

Joseph Pilates suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever as a child , he dedicated his entire life to improving his physical strength. He came to believe that the "modern" life-style, bad posture, and inefficient breathing lay at the roots of poor health.

Joseph Pilates developed his revolutionary exercise program during World War I, when he was a nurse at a prisoner of war camp. By experimenting with the springs on hospital beds, Pilates created a system of muscle movement and resistance that helped speed the recovery of injured soldiers. After the war, Pilates moved to the United States and ultimately devised a series of exercises and training-techniques and engineered all the equipment, specifications and tuning required teaching his methods properly. He called this "a complete coordination of body, mind and spirit."

Who should do Pilates?

Pilates is for everyone: all ages, physical abilities and fitness levels. At Neurocore we offer individualized programs for those new to fitness as well as challenging workouts for competitive athletes. Athletes, seniors, men and women of all ages and physical backgrounds may participate in Pilates. Pilates also suits an aging population because it enhances circulation, flexibility, and builds muscle mass without stressing joints in a gradual manner.

We are particularly interested in adapting Pilates for the Rehab population, and more specifically for clients with neurological conditions. Please refer to "Can I do Pilates if I have a disability?".

Nine fundamentals of Pilates as developed by Joseph Pilates:

• Concentration - That all-important mind-body connection. Conscious control of movement enhances body awareness.
• Control/Precision - It's not about intensity or multiple "reps," it's more about proper form for safe, effective results.
• Centering - A mental focus within the body calms the spirit. A particular focus on the torso (abdominals, pelvic girdle, mid and lower back, gluts) develops a strong core and enables the rest of the body to function efficiently. All action initiates from the trunk and flows outwards to the extremities.
  
• Stabilizing – Ensuring stability at one joint prior to moving at a nearby joint to ensure precise & efficient movement.
  
• Breathing - Deep, coordinated, conscious diaphragmatic patterns of inhales and exhales initiate movement, help activate deep muscles and keep you focused.
  
• Alignment - Proper alignment is key to good posture. You'll be aware of the position of your head and neck on the spine and pelvis, right down through the legs and toes.
  
• Fluidity - Smooth, continuous motion rather than jarring repetitions. Pilates has a grace and elegance to it.
  
• Integration - Several different muscle groups are engaged simultaneously to control and support movement. All principles come together, making for a holistic mind-body workout.

What are the Principles of Pilates?

The Contemporary 5 Basic Stott Pilates Principles are:
1) Breathing
2) Pelvic placement
3) Ribcage placement
4) Scapular placement
5) Head & neck placement

The purpose of the above principles are to ensure that regardless of the type of posture the body is in, the above 5 landmarks must work in harmony to create safe and effective movement. The 5 basic contemporary principles should also be complimented by the 9 fundamentals of Pilates as developed by Joseph Pilates.

How can I benefit from Pilates?

The focus is on quality of movement rather than quantity, which makes one feel invigorated rather than exhausted after a session. Pilates takes a balanced approach so that no muscle group is overworked and the body works as an efficient, holistic system.

With regular committed Pilates workouts you can expect to:

• Tone and build long muscles without bulk
• Balance strength & flexibility
• Heighten movement awareness & balance
• Challenge deep abdominal muscles to support the core
• Prevent re-injury
• Reduce stress, relieve tension, boost energy
• Restore postural alignment
• Promote recovery from strain or injury
• Engage the mind and enhance body awareness
• Heighten neuromuscular coordination
• Correct over-training of muscle groups which can lead to stress and injury
• Enhance mobility, agility and stamina
• Compliment sports training and develop functional fitness for daily life activity
• Improve the way your body looks and feels
• Increases core strength/stability and peripheral mobility
• Improve posture
• No-impact – easy on the joints
• Can be customized to suit everyone

What are Pilates exercises like?

There are two major elements to the Pilates method -- "matwork" exercises and those movements performed on equipment. Over the course of a lifetime, Joseph Pilates developed hundreds of exercises using both a simple mat on the floor as well as a variety of specialized equipment, referred to as "apparatus." These include the Reformer, the Cadillac or Table, the Chair, the Barrel and several other specialized pieces of equipment.

Pilates exercises were primarily developed to align, lengthen and strengthen.Pilates exercises vary in dynamics depending on the exercise. Control and precision are emphasized; repetitions are fewer and focus on isolating muscle groups and developing core strength. The movements are designed to work several muscle groups simultaneously through smooth, continuous motion. The result is a balanced approach to exercise where no muscle group is overworked or under-worked, and the body works as an efficient, holistic system in sport and daily activity.

The movements are designed to work several muscle groups simultaneously through smooth, continuous motion, with a particular concentration on strengthening and stabilizing the body's core—the abdomen, back and pelvic girdle region.

The result is a balanced approach to exercise where no muscle group is overworked or under-worked, and the body works as an efficient, holistic system in sport and daily activity.

What equipment is used in Pilates?

Mat work is just one component of the whole system of exercises that we offer. When you do Pilates on the Mat, you must support your body weight through the movements. Mat work is a great way to make sure you really understand your body and the principles of Pilates.

The use of equipment such as the Reformer, can assist with movement or challenge your balance and add increased resistance to your exercise. The specially designed springs help tailor the degree of difficulty. The equipment can simplify Pilates concepts for beginners as well as provide unique challenges as you become stronger and more flexible allowing for a greater array of movements and positions. Please refer to "Summary of Equipment.

At Neuro Core, the Reformer, Tower and Stability chair are incorporated into all one-on-one private sessions. The barrels, toning balls, therapy balls, foam rollers and resistance bands are incorporated into all group classes.

Please see our Equipment Listing for equipment detail.

How do I get started?

Simply call and book your private session or join a group class by contacting us. You will be asked to complete a few forms regarding your medical history prior to initiating any private treatment or group session, so please arrive 15 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment.

What training do your instructors have?

Some of our instructors are certified through Stott Pilates and are also licensed Physiotherapists or Chiropractors. Our instructors are also exposed to addtional styles of Pilates methods ranging from Body Control Pilates, Physical Mind and Body Harmonics. Our instructors have taken numerous additional Pilates and post-graduate training, courses and regularly attend conferences. Participation in ongoing education ensures our instructors are knowledgeable in various schools of thought, further shaping and enhancing their Pilates teaching and practice.

Can I do Pilates if I have a disability?

Yes!!! Joseph Pilates developed hundreds of exercises, most of which can be modified to suit various body types and conditions.

Often injury, pathology or trauma results in misalignment and compensatory movement patterns, Pilates aims to optimize postural alignment and improve movement efficiency through individualized exercises.

Our Certified Stott Pilates instructor is also a Physiotherapist with a particular interest in neurological conditions. Thus, exercises may be adapted and made accessible to clients with various pathologies, thereby making Pilates and its principles available for those who wish to explore this form of exercise.