Pilates: The Mind, Body and Soul Connection

Pilates (puh-lah-teez). Most of us have heard the word, but how many understand exactly what this form of exercise with the funny name is all about? A common misconception is that Pilates is merely a type of stretching and not a “real” workout. For true believers, however, practicing Pilates results in not only improved flexibility, but rock solid core strength along with lean, toned muscles.

The Pilates method was developed by its namesake, Joseph H. Pilates, in the early 1900s. During World War I, Joseph worked as an orderly in a German military hospital where he took the springs from hospital beds and used them as a source of resistance to improve the strength and flexibility of patients. This simplistic set up would become the precursor to his Reformer (a key piece of Pilates exercise equipment), which is widely used today. In 1926, Joseph and his wife Clara immigrated to the United States and opened their first Pilates studio in New York City. It had a small, yet loyal following of professional dancers.

The Pilates method didn’t gain widespread appeal until the 1990s when athletes, celebrities and baby boomers embraced the mind/body fitness movement which included yoga and tai chi. It has become the fastest growing exercise method in the world. According to the Superstudy of Sports Participation, 2004: “Pilates participants have increased by 506 percent to 10.5 million participants in the U.S. alone.”

The basic principles of Pilates focus on balancing strength and flexibility to engage muscle groups simultaneously. The Pilates method includes over 500 controlled movements using a mat and various types of equipment that stretch muscles while strengthening them, significantly reducing the chance for soreness or injury. A key element is using the power of the mind to control the body. Joseph Pilates believed that working your body without engaging your mind only provided half the workout. Each movement is limited to a maximum number of repetitions because of the efficiency obtained from simultaneous body and mind work. In his 1945 book, “Return to Life,” Joseph stated that Pilates is a “unique trinity of a balanced body, mind and spirit.”

What is it about Pilates that makes participants so enamored? Kay Shean, an equestrian who is also a downhill and classic skier, hiker and road biker, says Pilates is like “luring somebody into an addiction — the best addiction a person can have.” Her daughters gave her five Pilates sessions for Christmas, and she was hooked. Shean says, “I love the way it has changed how my body looks. I’m 66 years old, and I have a six pack!”

Many clients use Pilates as a form of rehabilitation. For Jon-Eric Greene, a 41-year-old cyclist and downhill skier, Pilates has been instrumental in helping him overcome a debilitating back injury by rebuilding his core strength. “If you have a weak core, you end up getting injured in any of the outdoor endeavors that you participate in,” says Greene. He also observes that Pilates is a process, often requiring five to 10 sessions to see benefits. As he states, “The first month, I wasn’t a believer, but after about five sessions, I really started to notice the difference. My body is now telling me that it craves Pilates.”

Some female clients use Pilates as a way to strengthen their bodies throughout pregnancy and help regain their pre-baby shape. Parkite Kristie Wilson, a former volunteer ski patroller and marathon runner, started Pilates when she was pregnant for the fourth time. Nearly 40 at the time, she wanted to get back into shape and back to her favorite activities as quickly as possible after the baby’s birth. Wilson says the benefits of Pilates are that “it can make you better at anything you want to do — from endurance sports to helping your efficiency in life, in all the things you do everyday.”

Starting Pilates is not as easy as buying a video and mat and teaching yourself. If done incorrectly, many of the exercises simply aren’t efficient and won’t provide the desired results. Therefore, it is important to find a certified instructor with experience in the physical fitness arena. Since Pilates is very personal, it’s a good idea to try out different instructors and environments to decide which style you prefer. According to Juliy Marie, certified Pilates instructor and owner of the Juliy Marie Pilates Studio, “Ultimately, it’s all about how you feel when you walk out of your Pilates session. It’s the whole experience that counts.”

In terms of cost, Pilates is an investment. Mat classes, the least costly alternatives, are $15 in Park City. Training on equipment can be done via private sessions ($65-70) or duettes (with a partner), which cost $35-$40. The ideal scenario is to try each of the different forms of Pilates and find the combination that works best for your body. In addition to mat classes, equipment options include the Reformer, Cadillac, Tower, Chair and Barrel.

As Joseph Pilates observed in “Return to Life,” “We do not give our bodies the care that our well being deserves.” Given Parkites’ active mountain lifestyle, Pilates can be a great addition to our litany of outdoor activities. It improves performance in other sports, decreases the chance of injury, and gives an overall feeling of peace and well being that comes from engaging mind, body and spirit.

Liz Yokubison is a freelance writer, mother of twins, and Pilates believer.

Where to Find Pilates in Park City

Conscious Fitness – Amy Heyes
1680 Ute Boulevard. 435.649.8620.
Group mat or private/duette Reformer sessions.

J. Chahine Pilates – Julie Chahine
435.655.5198. Private sessions with Reformer, Tower, Chair.

Groove Pilates - Alix Farnell
3279 Niblick Drive. 435.901.9256.
Private sessions with Reformer, Cadillac, Chair.

Juliy Marie Pilates Studio – Juliy Marie
1678 Bonanza Drive. 435.645.6172.
Private/duette/group sessions with Reformer, Tower, Chair.

Park City Racquet Club – Karen Yocum
1200 Little Kate Road. 435.615.5401.
Group mat sessions.

Silver Mountain Sports Club – Andrea Martone
2080 Gold Dust Lane. 435.640.6654.
Group mat or private/duette/group sessions with Reformer, Cadillac, Chair.

Studio Be Pilates – Courtney Meeboer
6055 Trailside Drive. 435.901.3229.
Group mat or private/duette sessions with Reformer, Cadillac, Tower, Chair.

The Pilates Studio – Kat Jonsson-Vincent
6421 N. Business Park Loop.
435.649.9790.
Private/duette/group sessions with Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Tower, Chair, Barrel.