Pilates

Pilates appeals to so many because the principals are applicable to all people of all fitness levels. Each and every one of us would all benefit from better posture and improved levels of strength and flexibility Pilates can give us that. The exercises are designed to strengthen what tends to be weak (abdominals, glutes and inner thighs, for example), correct what is misaligned (bad posture, skewed pelvic alignment, knock knees, scoliosis, etc), and stretch what is tight or overused. 

So what is Pilates?

Pilates is a form of exercise that aims to create a balance of strength and flexibility in the body through a series of exercises on the mat and equipment. The principles of Pilates include: control, precision, range of motion, breath, centering, opposition, flowing movement, and stability. All these concepts lead to a level of body awareness that helps students translate their workout achievements to improved posture, strength and agility. You will look better, but more importantly, you will feel better!

Read more about the benefits of Pilates at Pilates.com »

What is it like to learn Pilates?

Pilates is intelligent exercise. It challenges your mind and strengthens you from the inside out, enabling you to perform complex movements safely, with power and grace. The repertoire builds from simple exercises on the mat and equipment that help you to learn the underlying concepts and movement principles. You will learn things like how to do a proper upper abdominal curl without straining your neck, and how to stabilize your pelvis so that you can protect your back while working out. As the client progresses, the exercises become more complex, challenging them to use their accumulated knowledge to advance safely through the levels.

What is the difference between mat and equipment?

The mat exercises are among the most challenging, and the equipment was developed to help students progress beyond their bodies current limitations of flexibility and/or strength. All equipment at our Agile Monkey Santa Cruz Pilates studio is of the highest quality, manufactured by Balanced Body and includes the Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda Chair. The equipment is all spring-based, which encourages the development of long, lean muscles. The springs can be used to assist movements (helping a student with a tight back to perform a proper spinal flexion exercise, for example), or to challenge movement with resistance.