MidCoast Pilates Studio of Maine
Shape a New Vision of Yourself
FAQ
- What is Pilates?
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920's, Pilates is a method of physical conditioning which strengthens the mind as well as the body. Pilates focuses on developing the core muscles or "powerhouse" - the abdominals, lower back and spinal muscles, and buttocks. The goal is a more flexible, aligned, and ultimately balanced body. Pilates exercises increase the mind's awareness of the body, resulting in a more stimulating physical and mental workout. - Will Pilates Help Me Lose Weight?
Many people do Pilates to tone their muscles, improve their posture and help them lose weight.Creating lean muscle mass, as Pilates does, is one of the best ways to increase your calorie burning potential. - Can I do Pilates Every Day?
You can safely do Pilates every day. To get optimal benefit from most forms of exercise it is best to do at least 3 times a week. If you can find a few minutes during the day to improve your posture or focus on your breathing you will notice improvement each day. There are over 200 mat exercises so you won't get bored. Enjoy! - What do I Wear to Do Pilates?
What to wear for doing Pilates exercise is very much up to the individual. Comfortable exercise clothes that let you have full range of motion are fine. You will want to be sure that the instructor can see your body well enough to make corrections to your posture. Be sure to wear clothes that provide appropiate coverage. You won't be wearing shoes but some people feel more comfortable with socks which is fine. Please tie long hair back.
- What Should I Eat For Doing Pilates?
Many people wonder what to eat when they are going to do Pilates exercise. Because there is so much emphasis in Pilates on using your abdominal muscles, you will want to have a fairly empty stomach. - What should I look for in a Pilates instructor?
Good question. With the popularity of pilates growing by leaps and bounds many "pilates training" schools have popped up. Unfortunately most do not require more than a few days of training and you can teach this very complex exercise program. This is unfortunate. Pilates Method Alliance is a non-profit that oversees reputable training centers.
Talk to your future pilates teacher, ask how long they have been practicing pilates before they started training to become a teacher. Where and when did they complete certification? How much time did it take them to complete the pilates training? The answer should be between 400 and 600 hours.This process can take 1-2 years. What method do they teach, they should be able to tell you. Do they have experience teaching pregnant clients.
I started as a student 9 years ago and within a year knew that I wanted to become a teacher. I started the process at Power Pilates in NYC and completed my 600 hour apprentice training in 2004. I continue to attend numerous continuing education courses including "Empowering your Pregnancy". My studio is also a participating training center where future teachers can come to apprentice and learn. - If I'm planning a pregnancy, when should I start Pilates?
Six months to a year before you actually get pregnant. You want to build good core abdominal muscles before you get pregnant. I will be offering a Prepare for Pregnancy class spring 2009. To get more info on this subject click on this link.
