Pilates FAQ

Q. What is Pilates?

A. Pilates is a method of body conditioning originally dubbed "Contrology," after Joseph Pilates death, the name became Pilates. The underlying goal of Pilates is to obtain strength with stretch and control. Pilates concentrates on your core, or center, also referred to as the powerhouse. The powerhouse is comprised of the muscles in and around the stomach and lower back. The METHOD focuses on the six key principles of Pilates: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath and Flow.

Q. Can anyone do Pilates?

A. Almost anyone can do Pilates; no experience or skill level is required. In Pilates we start at the very beginning, teaching a few basic exercises that most people, barring injury, can perform. We advance slowly, adding new exercises once the basics have been mastered. If the client has any nagging injuries, for instance: back or neck pain, extreme stiffness or arthritis, the exercises are modified until the condition has improved. People with physical disabilities can also perform most of the exercises in a modified form.

Q. I'm pregnant, can I do Pilates?

A. We don't recommend Pilates for women whom are pregnant unless they have already achieved the intermediate level or have been doing Pilates before becoming pregnant. Then, their workouts are modified to accomodate the changes in their body that occur during pregnancy.

Q. What about mat classes?

A. More than likely, your gym, health club or local YMCA is offering a 'Pilates' mat class. These mat classes are rarely taught by certified Pilates instructors, are not authentic Pilates and often times they are not safe. Pilates is best taught by a certified instructor in the confines of a Pilates studio in a private lesson. Once you have taken at least ten lessons with an instructor, you could consider taking a mat class, but only in a small group setting with people of a simliar skill level. Following these guidelines is the best way to avoid injury and to receive authentic Pilates instruction.

Q. Is it important that my instructor be certified?

A. Absolutely, the authentic certification program involves almost 700 apprentice hours, a minimum of three seminars with either Romana and Sari or other Teacher of Teachers like Zoe Hagler, two written exams and three practical exams. To be accepted into the program, the apprentice has to complete 75 prerequisite hours (lessons) and have reached at least the intermediate level. At that point, the apprentice canidate has to pass a practical exam with a qualified teacher to be allowed into the program. The apprentice program is extremely comprehensive, focusing on teaching concepts, injury avoidance and modifications. The entire process usually takes up to two years to complete. As Joe often said regarding teacher training: "you can't build Rome in a day," unfortunately many of these gym certification programs attempt to build Rome in a weekend.