True Pilates is a boutique Pilates Studio located in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise regime invented by German fitness expert Joseph Pilates in the 1920's. It is a full body conditioning workout that works on muscle strength, length and endurance. Pilates should be a rigorous workout that is dynamic and energising. It focuses on alignment and strengthening the deep core muscles of the abdominals, hips, back, buttocks called the ‘Powerhouse’.
The 'Powerhouse' - the lower back, lower and upper abdominals, gluts and hips. It is from the ‘powerhouse’ we work on strengthening the extremities - arms, shoulders and legs. When taught correctly exercises in Pilates stretches in all aspects of your body - the front, back and sides. Each Pilates exercise should have an equal balance of stretch and strength - creating a better ‘carriage of movements” and posture. This is what we functional training is all about.
The Pilates Method is a global system of resistance training - The main apparatus is the Reformer which uses spring resistance in proportion to your body weight to stretch and strengthen the body at the same time. Exercises are focused on Strength, Control, Conditioning, Co-ordination and Flow. Pilates improves Posture, Flexibility, Co-ordination and Stamina. With using the Reformer, it is a faster way to lengthen and strengthen your muscles without building bulk.
Joseph Pilates believed a flexible spine, strong trunk and system wide integrated strength training will strengthen your muscles and enable one to gain control of your body - integrating mind, body and spirit.
Benefits of Pilates exercise
Improve Body Conditioning & Shaping on a deeper level
Refines and strengthens the intrinsic/ finer muscles
Better posture and ease of movement
Being able to isolate and control muscle activation
Corrective training for Prevention of injury
Non invasive to joints (no aggressive weight bearing)
Increase Recovery rate from injuries
Better retention of Muscle memory
A Common misconceptions - Pilates is for women, but in actuality Pilates was first and foremost developed for Men. Joseph Pilates drew from his expertise as a boxer, gymnast and self defence trainer to create a system of exercises with a healthy Male body in mind.
Are all Pilates the same method?
No. There are many variances of Pilates - some follow a more clinical based approach for rehabilitation, others on and stretch - in both instance these focuses are reductive and incomplete. Then there is the aerobic style gym Reformer mega class Pilates - which just offers cardio and very little awareness of body proprioception and understanding of Pilates exercises and their ultimate benefits.
At True Pilates Sydney Studio our approach is a Global strength training and conditioning in the Traditional Pilates Method that Joseph Pilates developed. We endeavour to maintain and teach the Traditions of Pilates with Strength, Stretch, Flexibility, Co-ordination and Control.
What are Generational Instructors and the significance of Lineage?
All ‘Generational' instructors can be traced back to Joseph Pilates himself. Joseph's first teachers/ pupils were Romana Kryzanowska, Jay Grimes, Kathy Grant and Ron Fletcher. They were considered 'elders' and 1st Generation instructors. At True Pilates Sydney Studio all of our instructors are 3rd Generational Instructors with minimum of 5 years full time teaching experience.
The significance and importance of 'lineage' ensures the purity and high standard of the work is maintained for future practices and teachings- where the core principle of 'Integration of mind to strengthen the body and energise the spirit' is maintained for posterity.