Movement Services

PILATES

Pilates is a movement modality created by German anatomist Joseph Pilates in the early 20th Century and is not confined to just one piece of equipment such as the ubiquitous reformer found in many studios! Pilates is a holistic movement practice involving various pieces of the equipment namely the Cadillac table, reformer, ladder barrel, chair and spine corrector. Through a series of precise, controlled movements, Pilates conditions the entire body, with particular focus on the deep core muscles, the foundation for every movement. The key outcomes of a consistent Pilates practice are:

– strength
– balance
– flexibility
– coordination
– reduced or eliminated chronic pain
– improved athletic performance
– injury prevention

All these outcomes ultimately result in movement longevity & functional strength.

There are 2 styles of Pilates: Classical & Contemporary.

Classical Pilates

Classical Pilates remains as close as possible to Joseph Pilates’ original work. This includes a sequence of exercises, which was designed to guide the body through a full range of movements. The sequence builds intelligently in a specific order with foundational exercises at the beginning and more complex exercises as you gain strength and control.

Contemporary Pilates

Contemporary Pilates is a more modern style of Pilates. While much of contemporary Pilates is still based on Joseph Pilates’ foundational work, physical therapy has had a profound influence on the evolution of contemporary Pilates. In particular, variations and modifications have been incorporated into contemporary Pilates to accommodate for a wide range of populations and movement abilities such as athletes, elderly, pre & post-natal as well as injury rehabilitation and prevention.

How do we approach Pilates:

At Balanced Movement, we approach Pilates from a more contemporary perspective. While our approach adheres to Joseph Pilates’ key principles , primarily breathe, spinal elongation, and deep core control, we also believe in incorporating modern scientific research and advancements on human movement and biomechanics into how we teach Pilates. Our Polestar Pilates and STOTT trained teachers continuously seek further education in various movement modalities & techniques in order to best serve our clients.

The GYROTONIC® Method

The GYROTONIC® Method is a holistic movement modality created by Romanian-born ballet dancer Juliu Hovarth in the 1980s. Through organic & intuitive movement patterns, the Gyrotonic Method is designed to enhance strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Unlike many traditional forms of exercise, the Gyrotonic exercises emphasizes three-dimensional, fluid movements that aim to increase the body’s range of motion without causing strain or jarring impact.

The Gyrotonic Method utilizes customized equipment that provides support while allowing the body freedom to move through its natural range. The equipment can be tailored to each individual’s needs, offering assistance as well as challenge, while they engage in organically integrated, full-body movements.

A consistent Gyrotonic practice often leads to a sense of deep inner strength, increased spaciousness within the body, improved freedom of movement, and a more wholesome overall movement experience. The fluid, undulating wave-like & spiralling movements of the Gyrotonic Method often help clients feel taller, relaxed & grounded. As a result, clients feel more in tune with their bodies, contributing to an enhanced sense of harmony and well-being.

The GYROKINESIS® Method

Originally known as “Yoga for Dancers”, the GYROKINESIS® Method was developed by Julio Hovarth before the Gyrotonic Method, to help him heal from his own ballet injuries, as well as regain his agility and strength.

Like the Gyrotonic Method, the Gyrokinesis Method focuses on fluid three-dimensional movement sequences that incorporate specific breath work corresponding to various undulating wave-like and spiraling spinal motions. These Gyrokinesis movement sequences are designed to rejuvenate and calm the nervous system, enhance body awareness and coordination. It also helps to nurture a strong yet supple core, which is crucial for dynamic stability and balance in daily functional movements. As the Gyrokinesis Method is practiced on a mat and stool, without the guidance of the specialized equipment, clients will need to depend on their own proprioception or body awareness as they explore the movement sequences.

FAQ

These are some common questions & misconceptions that we have come across.

Absolutely not! Pilates is so much more than just a “good stretch.” Pilates involves strength, coordination, balance and flexibility. When taught properly, Pilates is a full body-integration movement practice that helps you to move better and pain-free in your daily life. Pilates should not cause injury if taught correctly.

Again, absolutely not! Sadly and thanks [or no thanks!] to social media, Pilates is perceived as the realm of young, slender ladies in expensive, fashionable active wear doing acrobatic-like movements. This misconstrued perception of Pilates couldn’t be further from the truth!! Pilates is for all ages, all genders, all fitness levels and all body types. Pilates is inclusive so please do not believe it’s just for the younger, slender ladies just because social media, directly or indirectly, says so. Pilates is for everyone.

Yoga is not Pilates and vice versa. There are many differences between Yoga and Pilates but we will highlight 3 key differences.

First , Yoga is a more “static” movement practice as involves holding various positions or “asanas” for a particular period of time before transitioning to the next position and again holding it for a certain period of time. Pilates is a more dynamic movement practice in which movements are performed at a slow to moderate controlled tempo to enhance and train the client’s mind-body connection.

Second, Yoga’s origins are rooted in ancient, spiritual traditions. Pilates is a more contemporary, secular practice and does not make any reference to spiritual traditions.

Third, all types of Yoga are mat based and does not require specialized equipment. Pilates is not confined to just mat Pilates or just reformer Pilates. A complete Pilates experience involves all the equipment: Cadillac, reformer, ladder barrel, chair, spine corrector and mat

At Balanced Movement, we provide a customized and balanced Pilates experience, which includes the various specialized equipment as well as the mat.

Nevertheless, Yoga and Pilates are complementary movement modalities as they both help to improve strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and body awareness.

Pilates movements are typically two-dimensional and linear, while the equipment uses a spring resistance. Furthermore, Pilates places strong emphasis on spinal elongation, alignment and core control, the key principles of Pilates.

Gyrotonic movements are more three-dimensional and organically energetic with strong emphasis on moving from the inside out, powered by the “seed center” and emanating through the “fifth line”. The specialized equipment in the Gyrotonic Method utilizes a cable-pulley system with weights, providing a resistance that mimics the natural buoyancy experienced during activities like swimming. Gyrotonic movements are characterized by undulating, wave-like spinal motions and spiralling patterns, encouraging a more exploratory and intuitive approach to movement. The fluid, organic movement quality in the Gyrotonic Method more closely mimics real-life movements, setting it apart from more traditional forms of exercise, including Pilates!

While Pilates provides the foundation to moving well through its key principles of core control, spinal elongation and alignment, the Gyrotonic Method expands movement possibilities by incorporating dynamic core stability through three-dimensional movements. It promotes natural spinal motions and expansion between joints in a supportive environment. The Gyrotonic Method helps you strengthen your movement rather than a particular muscle group through continuous movement integration, helping you embody your body in a profound way.

Ultimately, the Gyrotonic Method enhances your body’s freedom to fully express itself.

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