pilates
 
faq

what is pilates?
Pilates is a mind-body exercise system developed by the late Joseph Hubertus Pilates (1880-1967). A German ex-patriate, Pilates made his mark during WW1 rehabilitating Prisoners of War with his innovative exercise equipment and Matwork.

When Joseph Pilates immigrated to New York, the professional dance community there quickly discovered that the method could help prevent injury and improve strength while maintaining long even muscle tone.

what can pilates do for my body?
Pilates can help you develop optimal strength, flexibility endurance and improves posture. It doesn't stress the joints or build bulk.

It's an excellent method to complement cardiovascular exercise, and will help to improve your performance in other forms of sport or exercise.

can pilates help me lose weight?
Weight loss occurs when the number of calories consumed is less than the number of calories burned. Muscle tissue is partly responsible for the number of calories the body burns at rest: this is called the basal metabolic rate. Pilates does help to build and tone muscle mass, and as muscle mass increases, basal metabolic rate increases so weight loss can be achieved. An ideal exercise regime includes aerobic activity, strength and flexibility training.

why do pro athletes and dancers
do pilates?
Despite it's slow, careful movements, and its reputation for being "gentle" Pilates is not for sissies! It improves stamina, balance, coordination and relieves stress. It emphasizes client education, so that you learn that you have control over your body and how it behaves.

Eddie Balfour, Martina Navratilova, Karen Kain and even the artists of Cirque du Soleil are some of the high performance athletes who use Pilates to stay strong and avoid injury.

how should I do it?
For a long time Pilates was taught almost exclusively one–on–one in "privates". The benefit to working privately with a certified instructor is that your workout is tailored to your posture, needs and personality. Some people really like the personal and specialized quality of privates.

Group classes are very popular now because they tend to be more affordable, and also because group fitness has been an accepted way to exercise for about 25 years. Ideally the group class you choose is on the smaller side (10 people or less) so that your certified and experienced instructor can make sure that everyone is o.k.

Semi privates are also popular these days. Sometimes couples, or close friends like to work out together, and they choose a time that makes sense for both of them. Lot's of people like the ritual of a semi-private before their lunch or coffee date.

what kind of training should a pilates
instructor have?
The Pilates Method of physical fitness is a system. It's components or parts make up its whole. Certification in the Method as it was intended, and taking into consideration the complexity of the biomechanics is a long and rigorous process of in class learning and apprenticeship. There are written and practical exams.

In most cases a "pass" is 80%! Unfortunately certain institutions are "certifying" instructors in weekend courses, and not testing their abilities. In some gyms and community centres people are teaching the method without any certification.

your pilates teacher should:

Have completed a course of study and been tested in functional anatomy.

Should know the repertoire of each component.

Have completed observation and practice hours, and have documentation of this. Possess a Certificate from a recognizable Training Centre such as STOTT PILATES®, POLESTAR PILATES, PHYSICAL MIND INSTITUTE or a teaching certificate from any of the original, or second/third generation teachers such as Dianne Miller, Karen Carlson or Susan Sinclair.

your pilates teacher should not:

Teach on equipment they have not been certified to teach on.

Do manual therapy or practice any form of psychotherapy during a Pilates Lesson.

Make drug recommendations.


Teachers at Brave Body Pilates are certified to teach at the level they are teaching. They have been chosen because they have proven a commitment to the method and its intention. Brave Body Pilates has chosen STOTT PILATES® certified instructors. Known as the "Ivy League" school of Pilates; Instructors trained, tested and certified in STOTT PILATES® bring depth of knowledge and skill to their teaching of clients any age or fitness level-from post-rehabilitative to elite athletes.