Classical Pilates

History of Pilates:

Pilates is an exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates focusing on improving flexibility and strength for the entire body without building bulk. George Balanchine and Martha Graham were among the many early devotees. Pilates also engages body and mind by performing controlled movements on specially designed apparatus taught by highly trained trainers. Rather than focusing on sets of repetitive weight-bearing movements, Pilates developed a series of specialized exercises to build strength, control and flexibility.

There are two major elements to the Pilates method -- "mat work" exercises and those movements performed on equipment. Over the course of a lifetime, Joseph Pilates developed hundreds of exercises using both a simple mat on the floor as well as a variety of specialized equipment. The Pilates Powerhouse uses Gratz equipment designed to the specifications of Joseph Pilates.

The Benefits of Pilates:

• Pilates is done by individuals of all ages.
• Pilates has been endorsed by professional dancers, artists, and athletes to improve overall conditioning and prevent injury.
• Pilates can also be used safely by pregnant women to learn proper breathing and recover body shape during and after pregnancy.
• Pilates increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body's "powerhouse" (the area between the the bottom of your ribcage and the line across your hips).
• People who do pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health.

The Results:

After your very first session, you will notice a sense of elongation and the feeling of standing up straighter. You will also feel the center or "core" of your body being used to initiate movement. If you continue on a regular program of at least twice a week you will notice the changes to your body after each session. You will feel more flexible and begin to feel firmer in your abdomen and buttocks and your posture will be more upright.

As Joseph Pilates has said, after 10 sessions you will feel better, after 20 sessions you will look better and after 30 sessions you will have a new body!

The Pilates Powerhouse:

The Pilates Powerhouse is the only studio in Roswell and Alpharetta that teaches Classical Pilates as taught by Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska, who was trained by and taught alongside Joseph H. Pilates. Emily Bradley has been teaching Pilates for ten years and was hand picked by Romana to become a Level 4 Instructor.