Pilates is the modern name for the exercise regime designed by Joseph Hubert Pilates during the 1930s and 1940s. He taught and practised the regime called ‘Contrology’ throughout his life.
Joseph Pilates defined ‘contrology’ as the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. The objective is to develop the body uniformly, to restore physical vitality, invigorate the mind, correct posture and elevate the spirit.
Pilates mapped the contrology road to health, teaching people to take responsibility for their own well-being, based on the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer;
‘To neglect one’s body for any other advantage in life is the greatest of follies’.
Contrology seeks to attain its objective by teaching you to purposefully acquire complete control of your own body and then to acquire the natural rhythm and coordination associated with all your subconscious activities, through regular correct repetition of the exercise.
What is Pilates?
The exercises are interesting as they vary and are designed to exercise all muscle groups, from minor to larger muscle groups. Contrology exercises are designed to improve your circulation while protecting against undue strain on your heart.
The foundation of the exercise is correct breathing, which means inhaling and exhaling completely, squeezing all impure oxygen from your lungs, before replenishing then with fresh air. Correct deep breathing stimulates muscles into greater activity, resulting in more effective exercise.
“In 10 sessions, you feel better, 20 sessions you look better, 30 sessions you have a completely new body.”
Joseph H. Pilates