Monday, March 31, 2014

Take the Power House Challenge!

What is the Any Body's Pilates Power House Challenge? 


Complete 10 Mat Classes in 30 Days for just $125!* 
Roll Up with Magic Circle

By taking 10 Classes in 30 days, clients maximize results and speed their progress in learning Pilates fundamentals and reinforcing the movements. 


"In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you will be on your way to having a whole new body..." 
 --- Joseph Pilates


Spine Stretch Forward
Mat Classes at Any Body's Pilates are limited to 4 clients for personalized attention. Instructors do not demonstrate, instead they work directly with clients to assist them in learning the exercises and getting the most from their workout. All clients utilize raised (sofa height), leather upholstery Mats (NO Yoga Mats on the floor). Due to the small class size, personalized instructor attention and professional, raised equipment, Mat Class becomes more accessible to clients with physical challenges. At Any Body's Pilates, we believe in fitness for ANY body!

We've added more classes to our schedule and will be happy to continue adding to accommodate client needs. Clients can register and pay for Classes online or via the mobile app (Android or iPhone) "MindBody Connect" or by Emailing or calling the studio at 843.641.0185. 


Take the Power House Challenge!!

* That's a $50 discount on our regular Mat Series price. Clients who don't finish 10 classes in 30 days will have the option to pay $50 to activate the remaining Classes. Call the Studio for Program details or questions



Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Which Is Better: Mat or Equipment?

Which is better? Joseph Pilates designed both, so neither is better, they are complementary -- and Mat is one of the Pilates apparatus. The next question is usually, "Equipment is more difficult, right?" Not necessarily...


Hanging Pull-Ups (Cadillac)
Plank position
Joseph Pilates designed his exercises for the Mat. In working with clients, he used his body to create resistance to help them learn exercises and gain strength. He then designed equipment using springs, pulleys, barrels, to create resistance. All exercises are related, and all exercises relate back to the original Mat exercises. While it may seem like the equipment exercises are more difficult, the spring tension and moving parts provide resistance and assistance that benefit clients.

Why use Pilates equipment? It can help clients gain strength and understanding of certain exercises, by using the spring tension as resistance. It is more obvious to clients when they are doing an exercise incorrectly or not using proper 
technique. For those clients who are easily bored with workouts, it can provide sufficient variation to keep them engaged while they are mastering the principles. 


Push-Ups (Mat)
Plank Position
Then why bother with Mat? Mat uses clients' body weight and gravity -- there is nothing to hold onto, nothing to guide -- so strength, balance, proper form and technique are essential. It is simpler, as all the exercises can be done at home, while travelling, and outdoors. 

Oftentimes, the choice comes down to budget, scheduling, opportunity, and personal likes/dislikes. Mat is the essential Pilates apparatus, Mat exercises are the goal, and Pilates equipment can be a means of arriving there more successfully for some clients. 

Monday, March 10, 2014

Why Are There are "Flavors" of Pilates?


Joseph Pilates Teaching
Joseph Pilates called his exercise "Contrology." After Joseph and Clara Pilates' deaths, the Method became known as "Pilates," but there were disagreements among those teaching/marketing it. In an unsuccessful law suit (U.S. District Court – Southern District of NY, Opinion 96 civ. 43 (MGC) October 2000) bid to trademark Pilates, a U.S. federal court ruled the term “Pilates” generic and free for unrestricted use. Now, you can call anything you like "Pilates" -- which is how "Piyo," "Yogilates," "Piloxing," "Aqualates" and the like got started. As a result, there are many brands or flavors of Pilates.

Anyone can start a Pilates Instructor training program. Anyone can teach a class and call it Pilates...so what's the difference? Many programs claim to have "evolved" beyond Joseph Pilates. Equipment has been "improved" with additional features and functions. 


Joseph Pilates with a Client
If you're looking for a studio/instructor who teaches closely to the original, look for a "Classical" studio. Ask the instructor about his/her training and for his/her lineage -- how close his/her instructor is to Joseph Pilates and "The Elders" -- the teachers that he and Clara Pilates personally trained. The closer they are, similar to genealogy, the closer their teaching methods should be.

No matter whether you choose Classical or a more modern approach, be sure your instructor is well-qualified and the studio is reputable. It's a relationship -- you should feel safe, supported, and be able to communicate openly with your instructor. If not, keep looking.