Tips for Choosing a Pilates Instructor

Today, it seems like everyone is looking for a way to implement fitness into their daily lives. There is a huge fitness movement that is helping the average person become more aware of their needs to add a little activity to their daily routine. It is also well-known that in order to lessen your risk for numerous health and medical conditions you have a health conscious diet, which you then balance with physical activity. One way to ease you into a more active and fitness conscious lifestyle is to incorporate an exercise program that includes Pilates.

Pilates is a fitness routine that encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles of the body, which is why Joseph Pilates, the man who developed this method, called it Contrology. Joseph Pilates began working and implementing this method during World War I as a means to improve the rehabilitation of veteran soldiers who were returning from the war. He believed that a person's mental health and outlook went hand-in-hand with a person's physical health and wellness. Pilates places a focus on central core postural muscles that are responsible for maintaining the body's balance and support (the spine). Through teaching proper breathing techniques and proper body alignment of the spine, it will strengthen muscles of the torso and alleviate back pain. The basic principles taught in a Pilates program are: the fusion of mind and body (mind over body), proper breathing, centering and body alignment, concentration, control and precision, and how to keep movements fluid.

Now that you have decided Pilates is something you might be interested in doing, you need to think about what your goals are. This will help you choose a Pilates class and instructor that will be well aligned with your specific needs and expectations. Maybe you have limitations, maybe you are new to fitness, or maybe you want a more challenging program. Once you have determined your goals, it is time to search for a Pilates instructor who can meet your desired needs.