Pilates at Performance Rehab

 

Physiotherapists use modified pilates techniques and frameworks to build a therapeutic exercise program specific to your needs. Blending scientific evidence based exercises with the vast range of mat and equipment based exercises designed by Josef Pilates, the programs are effective, always different and fun.

 

Who Would Benefit from Pilates?

 

Pilates is suitable for all ages and abilities. Your individualised program is based on your specific needs and goals, and is progressed as your skill and strength develops.

 

Pilates can be used to improve:

 

• Posture
• Pain management
• Core stability
• Breathing patterns
• General or specific muscle strength and endurance
• Sports specific conditioning
• Balance control and reaction times
• Pelvic floor control
• Muscle flexibility
• Mood, stress and energy levels
• Reduction in injury recurrence

 

 

 

History

 

Born in 1883 in Germany, Joseph Pilates had rickets and rheumatic fever as a child, and subsequently developed a keen interest in physical activity and well-being.  He was interned on the Isle of Mann in WWI.  It was during this period that he devised a number of unique pieces of equipment including transforming an old hospital bed into a platform surrounded by springs and slings to help support the limbs and body.  This forms the basis of our modern pilates equipment.  After training the police and army in Germany, he emigrated to New York where he established a studio to work with the performing arts industry.  From here, pilates has expanded to become a very popular world wide phenomenon. 

 

 

 

What is Pilates?

 

Pilates is a total body-conditioning program involving strengthening and stretching from a strong core of abdominal and spinal muscle control.   Pilates sessions include a combination of mat (or floorwork) and exercise using various apparatus or equipment. We can also modify your exercises to create a program that you can do at home.

 

What can you expect from a pilates session at Performance Rehab?

 

The first step is to book an initial assessment with one of our highly skilled physiotherapists.  This is designed to be a whole body scan to identify where your strengths and areas for improvement lie.  Your physiotherapist will relate these to your goals and injury history, and forms the basis for an individualised program.  Therefore you can start pilates at any level of pain, dysfunction, fitness, ability or age. 

 

You will then be taken through a one on one personal pilates session to ensure the most appropriate choice of exercises are prescribed and to teach specific breathing patterns, posture and movements.

 

As your skill and endurance improves you will then be progressed into an hour session.  Your session will still be individualised but there will be between one and four people exercising with their own specific program at the same time.  It can be very motivating to see how other people have progressed!