Pilates for rehabilitation and core stability
Jane Meek
Pilates Consultancy Body Control Pilates
Movement therapy for the 21st century
The Pilates Method is a regime of mental and physical conditioning aimed at teaching healthy movement patterns and good body awareness.
More than just another exercise routine, Pilates is a tool for life. Students of the Method gain an understanding of good body mechanics which they carry over into their everyday activities, be it sitting at a desk, pushing a pram, hitting a golf ball or driving a car.
Pilates targets the deep postural muscles of the body: the abdominals, the big muscles of the buttocks and hips, the lower back. Joseph Pilates, originator of the Method, referred to these muscles collectively as “the powerhouse”. In Pilates, the muscles of the powerhouse are trained to create a strong, stable torso which acts as an anchor for the movement of our limbs. In other words, our legs and arms function as an extension of the powerhouse.
A strong torso or core will stabilise your spine and pelvis, maintaining the natural curves of your spine while you move your arms and legs with control and precision. A stable core will also allow you to move the spine itself while maintaining the correct alignment of the spinal joints.
The results of this approach include better posture; stronger, more flexible muscles; healthier joints; and a more streamlined physique.
There are important differences between Pilates and other approaches to exercise. Pilates develops length and strength, rather than tight, bulky muscles. It also stresses the quality, rather than the quantity, of movement: there are no endless repetitions, no isolated, quick or jerky movements. Instead, students focus on small numbers of repetitions performed slowly with control, flow and economy of effort, the last repetition being as precise as the first. The exercises engage your mind as well as your body, helping you to work smarter, not harder.
Pilates can be taught at all levels of ability. The complex movements of the original Method are broken down into their component parts, which are taught as exercises in their own right. As control and awareness improve, the student learns to combine these units into more challenging sequences, eventually progressing to the advanced, original exercises.
Pilates was originally taught in a studio setting, often using special apparatus to provide resistance and improve strength and awareness. Today, most students come to Pilates through group matwork classes where balls, bands, toning circles and the body’s own weight replace the use of studio equipment.
For best results, Pilates should be learned in small groups or on a one-to-one basis. Private tuition is particularly recommended if the client has a medical condition, such as osteoporosis, or is pregnant or has recently had a baby.
Jane Meek is a Body Control Pilates instructor as well as an advanced myofascial and remedial therapist. She offers one to one pilates sessions for those interested in joining one of her local classes as well as sessions for rehabilitataion as an adjunct to myofascial and remedial treatment.