Pilates For The Disabled

Pilates is a series of about five hundred exercises
that Joseph Pilates created and were inspired by
calisthenics, yoga and ballet. These exercises work to
improve flexibility, strength, balance and body
awareness.

Not only is Pilates a great physical experience
designed to strengthen the body’s core muscles, it is
also a wonderful spiritual experience designed to
focus the body on breathing. Good breathing practices
promote better blood flow in the body.

Since the 1920’s when Joseph Pilates created the
exercises to help injured athletes, dancers and later
war veterans, Pilates has been adapted to suit people
of the general community.

Pilates is a non-aerobic form of exercises that draws
strength from concentration and focus. The movements
are meant to be low impact and the focus is on
perfection of each movement instead of quantity of
reps done, quality over quantity.

Even though Pilates is a very low impact form of
exercise, it is important that is you have a
pre-existing medical condition that you first speak
with a doctor.

Pilates exercises improve flexibility and increase
muscle strength, particularly the abdominal muscles,
lower back, hips and buttocks. These are considered
the body’s core muscles.

Another benefit of the Pilates exercises are balanced
muscular strength on both sides of the body and
enhanced muscular control of the back and limbs.

Another great advantage is improved stabilization of
the spine, greater awareness of posture and improved
physical coordination and balance.

Pilates helps relax and strengthen the back, shoulders
and neck also. Many doctors have come to learn that
Pilates is also a safe rehabilitation for joint and
spinal injuries and the exercises when done properly
will help aid in prevention of musculoskeletal
injuries.