| I was eating my favorite veggie sushi and sipping my | | | | and is typically utilized by personal or group fitness |
| green tea when my lunch date asked the most | | | | trainers. These classes tend to be found in health clubs |
| common question I get as a Pilates instructor. "I don't | | | | and tend to be mat classes. However, health clubs |
| want to sound uninformed, but what is Pilates?" | | | | such as Bally's have started to offer Reformer |
| According to a 2007 report by Tracking the Fitness | | | | classes to members. As well, there has been an influx |
| Movement, 10.7 million Americans practiced Pilates in | | | | of fusion classes, such as Body Flow or Yogalates, |
| 2006. Yet, a large population either does not know | | | | with the increase popularity of mind-body workouts. |
| what Pilates is, or has a misperception about Pilates. | | | | The goal of the sports fitness group is to provide a |
| At first, I could not understand why people did not | | | | class or technique that meets your goals of toning, |
| understand Pilates, why it was beneficial to them, the | | | | losing weight, improving stamina, and/or other fitness |
| importance of the equipment, or the difference from | | | | goals. This approach can be beneficial for different |
| other exercise forms. Then I realized that the Pilates | | | | reasons than the rehab/physical therapy approach. |
| community has not made it easy to understand. The | | | | First, the cost is less expensive than a typical Pilates |
| Pilates community has pitted lineages against one | | | | studio. Classes are included in the membership or may |
| another, created an elitist view, and allowed egos to | | | | be at a discounted rate. Second, it is easier to jump |
| take away from the importance of the work. On one | | | | into a class at the health club. There is typically no sign |
| hand, this has fostered new ideas and expansion of | | | | up required except in equipment classes. In essence, |
| the work. On the other hand, it has created divisions of | | | | you can pick from a variety of classes with little |
| Pilates along with mass confusion. In this article, I will | | | | commitment. Third, you are introduced to the |
| discuss the various Pilates groups. | | | | mind-body connection through a mode that is familiar. If |
| Joseph Pilates described his work as the "the | | | | you have never experienced mind-body exercises, the |
| attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed | | | | health club setting may provide a comfortable |
| body as well as a sound mind, fully capable of naturally, | | | | atmosphere to branch out into new territory. |
| easily and satisfactorily performing our many and | | | | The wellness group approaches Pilates through a |
| varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and | | | | holistic lens. The focus is through a mind-body-spirit |
| pleasure." His work touches on a variety of areas | | | | connection. These instructors may only focus on |
| including rehabilitation, natural movements, physical | | | | Pilates or may incorporate other holistic modes such |
| fitness, and mind, body and spirit connection. Each of | | | | as massage or Reiki. Typically wellness instructors are |
| the Pilates groups incorporates focus on one or | | | | found in Pilates studios, wellness centers, or teach |
| several of these ideas to create their vision of Pilates. I | | | | independently. The goal is to address the body as a |
| define the Pilates groups as rehab/physical therapy, | | | | system including the body, mind, and spirit rather than |
| sports fitness, and wellness. | | | | looking at individual pieces. This approach can benefit |
| Rehab/physical therapy focuses on the rehabilitative | | | | clients in a number of ways. First, it is the closest to |
| aspects of Pilates. The focus is through a medicalized | | | | Joseph's original work. Joseph described Pilates as the |
| view and typically is utilized by physical therapists. This | | | | "complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit." The |
| group incorporates physical therapy techniques with | | | | mental aspects are just as important as the physical |
| Pilates. The combination can be beneficial for several | | | | ones. Second, studios tend to include equipment |
| reasons. First, physical therapists may be covered by | | | | classes, mat classes, one on one sessions, or duet |
| medical insurance whereas most states do not allow | | | | sessions. The focus is to utilize the equipment and mat |
| Pilates alone to be covered. You can be rehabbed and | | | | together to help you connect to the work to achieve |
| receive Pilates training with little or no out of pocket | | | | your balanced body. Third, the atmosphere tends to be |
| expense. Second, physical therapist can provide the | | | | a calmer and cozier feel including smaller sized classes |
| groundwork for continued Pilates training. Physical | | | | to create a more personal experience. The wellness |
| therapy is a short-term solution because you only | | | | atmosphere will entice those who are looking for |
| receive a specific number of sessions. The physical | | | | something different from the gym. |
| therapist has to pick and choose what can be | | | | Although each of these groups has a particular focus, |
| accomplished based on the time allotted. If a physical | | | | they sometimes may incorporate points from the other |
| therapist incorporates Pilates, the client can continue his | | | | groups. However, the main focus tends to be either |
| her practice once the rehabilitation portion is finished. | | | | rehab/physical therapy, sports fitness, or wellness. |
| Lastly, this is the group leading and conducting | | | | How do you choose which Pilates is right for you? |
| research on Pilates. The medical lens has laid the | | | | You find an instructor or group that fits your |
| groundwork for creating studies to analyze Pilates. | | | | personality. In the following articles, I will break down |
| The sports fitness group focuses on the physical | | | | each of the groups to help you choose which Pilates is |
| fitness aspect. The focus is through a health club lens | | | | right for you. |