Recommended Resources
Deepen your understanding of Pilates with these resources below:
- Contrology Handbook - A Guide to Joe Pilates' Method by Sandy Shimoda
- From the author: "This handbook is for all students of Contrology, Joe’s method of corrective exercise. It focuses on Joe’s ideas and motivations for creating Contrology, as well as the results he intended for us. It is a tribute to his work, through the teachings of his student, Jay Grimes. This handbook is an essential resource suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners."
Q: Should I do Private or Semi-Private Sessions?
A: Semi-Private sessions are great for friends or couples with similar fitness goals who are looking for added accountability and autonomy. Private sessions are tailored to your specific needs and goals, and are ideal for beginners, students recovering from an injury or who are in need of specific modifications, or advancing practitioners who want who want to fine-tune their practice.
A: Semi-Private sessions are great for friends or couples with similar fitness goals who are looking for added accountability and autonomy. Private sessions are tailored to your specific needs and goals, and are ideal for beginners, students recovering from an injury or who are in need of specific modifications, or advancing practitioners who want who want to fine-tune their practice.
Q: How often should I do Pilates?
A: Pilates is a practice, and as with any sport or skill, the more you practice, the faster you'll see results. Ideally you want to practice at least 3x per week, including your at-home workouts. For the first few weeks, it is recommended that you have at least 2 sessions a week with an instructor, because this will help you develop a strong foundation. After the first month or so, you can come in once a week and the rest of your practice can be at home!
A: Pilates is a practice, and as with any sport or skill, the more you practice, the faster you'll see results. Ideally you want to practice at least 3x per week, including your at-home workouts. For the first few weeks, it is recommended that you have at least 2 sessions a week with an instructor, because this will help you develop a strong foundation. After the first month or so, you can come in once a week and the rest of your practice can be at home!
Q: What is the difference between working on the mat and the apparatus?
A: Pilates apparatus such as the reformer or cadillac allow students to work with spring resistance to create the two-way stretch we're always after in this work. When you are on the classical mat, you must be able to create the same feeling using just your own body, the strap, and dowels. Neither one is better or worse, they just present different challenges which all guide you toward achieving the same goal: length, strength, balance, and control. It's likely that you will use multiple pieces of equipment in any given session.
A: Pilates apparatus such as the reformer or cadillac allow students to work with spring resistance to create the two-way stretch we're always after in this work. When you are on the classical mat, you must be able to create the same feeling using just your own body, the strap, and dowels. Neither one is better or worse, they just present different challenges which all guide you toward achieving the same goal: length, strength, balance, and control. It's likely that you will use multiple pieces of equipment in any given session.