I’ve never done Pilates before. Is this best place to start?
Absolutely! One on one instruction will allow you to work on issues specific to your own body. And because of this you will see results faster than if you were in a group class.
Who should do Pilates?
Almost everybody can benefit from Pilates; however like any other exercise program, please check with your physician if you have any concerns before embarking on any sessions. Athletes of all ages, people who endure long commutes, or stare at computers all day, People with knee, hip, back, foot issues. Men and women.
I’ve done mat classes before, but I’ve never been on the equipment. What’s the difference?
Joe Pilates designed the equipment to support a person doing his exercises. If you do the mat exercises properly, they are quite difficult, because you are working against gravity with no support. The reformer, barrels, chairs, cadillac and other apparatus support the body so that the body can attain the correct shape, and therefor reap the most benefit. This allows you to get strength and stretch in the places in your body that need it the most. The mat work is part of the entire Pilates Method.
What should I wear?
Please wear form fitting clothes to allow the instructor to see the lines and shape of your body. Please no shorts unless they are form fitting. Bare feet are preferred; however if this is not an option, toe sox are the best alternative.
When will I see results?
This really depends on each person. Generally speaking, if a person can maintain a Pilates regimen of two to three times a week (this can be a combination of studio and at home work), they will start to feel some differences by about 10 sessions. By 20 sessions you should start seeing some differences in your body. By 30 sessions, some profound changes in the body can be felt.
Will I lose weight?
Pilates will create long, lean muscles. It won’t on it’s own, contribute significantly to weight loss. Pilates is a great regimen to pair with a weight loss program that involves sound nutritional programming as well as a cardio-vascular exercise program.
What should I expect for my first session?
For your first session, we’ll discuss your overall fitness goals, what you are hoping to gain from Pilates, as well as a review of your health history as it pertains to your ability to move. From there, you’ll be taken through a basic set of exercises. Keep in mind, there is a bit of a learning curve with Pilates. To learn the exercises and therefor see results in your body, you need to practice regularly, as you would with anything else. The more you learn how to move, the deeper you will feel the exercises.
Why does this studio only offer privates and duets?
Each person has different issues and body imbalances. Some need more strength, others need more stretch. Everyone needs to learn to move with precision and control. Private sessions allow for the instructor to work with a person and their unique situation. Because we are working on specific issues, the client will see results faster.
What is Classical Pilates?
In 2001 a civil court case ruled that Pilates was a generic term, like yoga. That basically meant that there was no standard out there to measure what Pilates actually is. A basic division occurred, those who practice contemporary Pilates and those who practice classical Pilates. Contemporary Pilates often has the same exercises, but the order may be changed from what Joe Pilates proscribed, and the equipment is different from what Joe had in his studio. Practitioners of classical Pilates try to work within the bounds drawn by Joe Pilates when he was alive. This means we maintain the order of exercises, we stick close to the set up and execution of exercises as they were articulated by Pilates. The basic philosophy is that his method is so very effective, there is absolutely no reason to re-invent the wheel so to speak. Dive Pilates is a classical Pilates studio.