Pilates

You’re likely already well aware of the pilates exercise phenomenon that has taken the world by storm.

To stress certain parts of the various pilates exercises, a lot of experts offer small changes to the program. As a result thereof, more and more devices and techniques are being invented to innovate the program. The idea, aside from pilates used in many different types of exercise programs, stems from the use of technology to more precisely allow people to perform specific techniques of work out.

Pilates instructors have been able to more efficiently relay their exercise instructions through the use of headphones and iPods, while at the same time saving them trouble.

By recording the basics of a pilates exercise using MP3 and video, without having to expend their voices teachers can give their students the instructions for proper techniques.

As the entire pilates program consists of hundreds of different exercises, learning it can be very daunting.
That’s why it’s difficult to get the full pilates workout without having a teacher present. The use of this new technology allows pupils a better chance to be capable to work their craft without the presence of a teacher.

In an workout program where the teacher is compelled to repeat the same directions time and again, day in and day out, the relief provided by the use of MP3’s and videos is tantamount to the instructor’s efficiency.

The idea has caught on in a big way, and numerous websites now offer audio and video downloads of various pilates (and other, such as yoga) exercise programs:
Pilates Video – TFW Introductory Pilates
Pilates Video – TFW Intermediate Challenge

The other advantage is, that these workouts are more easily accessible to all people who would not normally get the chance to have hands-on instruction. On top of that, since classes are so intensive, you’ll also save some money performing exercises at home (but you still have to follow classes!).

It’s not to say that the audio downloads are a surefire substitute for pilates teaching, as proper form is crucial to reaping the right benefits of the program. For that reason, you may want to combine both regular instruction from a pilates instructor and home audio/video programs to ensure that your form is proper.

Pilates seems to have a language all of its own, like all other popular niche forms of exercise and fitness disciplines.
If you’re not yet entirely acquainted with the lingo of pilates, don’t worry. It’s easier than you think. Just take a couple of moments to go over these pilates basic terms.

As pilates works closely with toning up and training the whole body, you’ll discover many terms that have to do with different muscle groups and muscular contraction. If you practice Pilates on a regular basis, you’ll learn to understand your body on a deeper level.
Ideally, you’ll acquire an awareness of your body and how it acts. You’ll come to understand more about the human anatomy, including the name of several body parts and different pilates poses.
Even if you don’t have any knowledge of the human anatomy, you’ll find that understanding Pilates will also help teach you many of the basics about your physical structure.

Here are some of the basic terms and what they mean.

Abduction touches on to the contraction of a muscle that happens in the midst of your body. You’ll likely discover your instructor refer to abduction while you’re training the midline.

Some other popular term you may learn is adduction. While an abduction refers to a movement that draws away from your middle, an adduction is a muscular contraction that draws toward your midline.

Another term you may hear may sound a little befuddling initially. Eccentric is a pilates term that pertains to lengthening the muscle. Naturally, eccentric has another meaning all in all, but while you’re doing pilates it implies that you’ll be lengthening the muscle on a motion.

Some other popular pilates term is extension. Extension implies that you’ll be straightening out a limb whilst applying your muscles.
Concentric, on the other hand, means that you’ll be shortening the muscle.

Flexion points to the fact that you’ll be bending the limb with the use of your muscles.

Hyperextension means that you’ll be straightening your limb and stretching it out beyond your normal range of movement and motion.

You’ll likely hear your pilates teacher refer to a neutral spine. Keeping a neutral spine implies that you’re keeping the natural curve of your spine while in the middle of a movement, instead of pressing it against the floor or flattening it out.

Another term you may pick up is prone, which means that you’ll be laying face down on your front. The opposite of prone is supine, a move that means that you’ll be lying on your back, face up.

Now that you’ve some understanding of the motions associated with pilates, here is some brief information into the anatomy that is most associated with pilates.

When you hear the term cervical, this means that you’ll carry out a movement that involves the area around you neck.

Ligament refers to the fact that you’ll be stretching the fibrous tissue that connects your cartilage and bones.

When your teacher mentions disks, he or she is referring to the shock-absorbing cartilage that rests between your two vertebrae.

See? The basic Pilates terms are easy to learn!