What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement.
Core Principles of Pilates:
- Centering
- Concentration
- Control
- Precision
- Breath
- Flow
Styles of Pilates:
- Classical/Traditional Pilates – Classical or traditional Pilates aims to preserve the original teachings of Joseph and Clara Pilates and continues to perform them as described traditionally. The equipment used is built to the same specifications as those created by Joseph Pilates.
- Contemporary Pilates – While contemporary or modern Pilates is still based on the original work of Joseph and Clara Pilates, but incorporates contemporary knowledge and research into its teachings. It may use a wide variety of equipment including mat work, small props such as the foam roller or chi ball, or traditional equipment.
- Clinical Pilates
- Mat Pilates – Mat work is performed on the floor using a yoga mat. Mat work uses gravity and your own body weight as resistance.
- Group Sessions – Group Pilates sessions can include mat or reformer classes and the defining feature of a group class is that all the participants perform the same or similar exercises, usually in sequence with one another. An instructor demonstrates, cues, and corrects the exercises.
- Private/Semi-Private Sessions – Private or semi private sessions are like the personal training of Pilates and the client has more attention and guidance from the instructor. Depending on the style of Pilates, private/semi private Pilates sessions are often composed of a unique program of exercises created specifically for the client and varied from session to session.
The Body Awareness Approach
Since 1993, Body Awareness Studios has been serving Atlanta students with the industry’s most established Pilates professionals. Primarily based on the method of training and rehabilitation developed by Joseph H. Pilates, Body Awareness also combines the best of Pilates to promote a uniformly developed body, mind and spirit.
The Pilates classes at Body Awareness Studio offer a gentle, yet highly effective fitness program. The equipment used in the Pilates method utilizes multiple springs, rather than weights, to create resistance. The movement is slow and rhythmic, with the focus on using correct body mechanics to develop the major postural muscles. Pilates exercises strengthen the body’s core muscles, producing a flat stomach, strong lower back, and toned buttocks, inner thighs and hamstrings. Emphasis on stretching creates long, flexible muscles. Controlled, thoughtful movement reduces the effects of stress on the body and the mind.
The rewards of moving properly can be felt outside the studio, and students often experience a profound difference in how they approach daily activities. We offer Private Sessions and Group Reformer classes for all levels of experience, as well as other forms of movement classes to supplement your Pilates training.
