Pilates - by Leroy van der Heyde

Joseph Hubertus Pilates (1880 - 1967) was the inventor of the Pilates physical fitness method which he originally called "Contrology”. The Pilates method refers to the way it encourages the use of a person’s mind to control the muscles. By practicing his own methods, Pilates lived a long healthy life until his death at the age of 87.

The ability to control the body as taught through the Pilates method, will spill over into and benefit every area of an individuals existence.

The Pilates Technique

The Pilates method is a mind-body method that combines the eastern concepts (yoga, breath, flexibility and relaxation) with the western concepts of strength and endurance. The Pilates method, teaches not only the awareness of breath but also the alignment of the spine, and the strengthening of the deep torso muscles. These exercises are important and helps alleviate and prevent back pain.

The Pilates method takes a lot of mental focus and requires guidance in training your mind to work your body.

Benefits Of Pilates:

The Pilates method and teachings has proven itself invaluable and it yields numerous benefits such as:

-Increased lung capacity, -Improving blood circulation, -Increasing strength and flexibility, -Muscular and mental coordination, -Improved posture, balance, and core strength

In addition, both the learning and the teaching of the Pilates methods gives an opportunity to help and benefit other people as they discover the benefits of having mind and body working together in harmony.

Pilates in itself is not only an optimal fitness program, but it is also an important addition to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation of all kinds.

Pilates exercises, training and teachings is swiftly becoming the favoured fitness activity of men and women all over the world. As a result, qualified Pilates instructors are in very high demand are being paid far above average in the fitness field.

About the Author:

This article comes from established author, Leroy van der Heyde. He is co-owner (along with his wife, Marietjie van der Heyde), of "Befree Consultants". Marietjie van der Heyde is the author of the topselling cycling e-book, called “The Complete Beginner Racing Cyclist Guide”, which is available at www.CycleRaceTraining.com This couple spent most of their lives in the fitness industry and are now also listed among some of the Top Internet Entrepreneurs.