Pilates is a low-impact exercise that improves balance and posture. It also strengthens core stabilizing muscles. Joseph Pilates developed it in the early 1900s, originally calling it Contrology (the art of control). Today, many people practice pilates to help them recover from an injury or manage chronic musculoskeletal issues. Others use it to prevent or treat health conditions, like lower back pain, by strengthening weak abdominal muscles that contribute to spine instability.
In pilates, exercises are performed using a series of small, repeated movements that target the deep postural muscles. When these muscles are strengthened, they support the joints and vertebrae, which allows you to move more easily and with less pain. In addition, Pilates exercises focus on moving the bones of the spine into ideal alignment, which can reduce slouching and hunching and lead to better posture.
Other benefits include improved flexibility, coordination and endurance. Pilates teaches you to move with precision and grace, and it increases awareness of the connection between your body and mind. The concentration required to perform Pilates exercises helps relieve stress and promotes a sense of calm.
Pilates instructors need to be able to adjust their teaching style to accommodate a variety of fitness levels and body types. For example, some students will have more experience with a particular exercise, so you might need to give them less instruction. Others may be new to Pilates, so you will have to explain the movements more carefully. You also may need to correct a student’s form, which sometimes requires touching them. This can be difficult because some people do not want to be touched, and you should avoid touching them unless it is necessary.