Pilates is an exercise style that has grown significantly in the last 5-10 years and there are many good reasons for this.  It incorporates strength and stretching into almost all of the movements and is different than most other types of exercises in that it builds significant stability into your body – especially in your core – along with strength.

Exercises in Pilates can be slow and controlled or fast but they are all focused on quality of movement.  Any class that you go to should have an instructor who is watching all of the time and giving feedback on where your body is compensating around a weakness that you might have.

Common classes are mat-based but some of the fun of Pilates is the very cool/funky equipment that you may get on to stress your system and finds it’s weaknesses.  The name of some of the pieces is part of what adds to its “coolness”.  Things like the Reformer, the Trapeze, the Barrel, and the Cadillac!  Very cool!

Back to the serious stuff, some specific benefits of Pilates include:

• Improved posture
• Increased muscle tone
• Increased strength
• Increased Flexibility
• Improved overall mobility
• Increased focus on your breathing
• Improved circulation and decreased stress

As far as an adjunct to Physical Therapy, there are few better exercise styles.  Once your therapist has fixed specific dysfunctions in your system that were causing pain and gone through a progression of strength, stabilization and stretching exercises, Pilates is a natural next step.  It is a great way to stay strong or further progress your stability so that the chance of your pain coming back is very, very small.

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