If you're intending to try Pilates at home it's essential
that you warm up, use the correct breathing techniques, and
understand basic pelvic placement for a safe practice. Here's our
quick guide...
How To Warm Up
Before following any of our Pilates exercise videos we
recommend you learn how to
warm up and cool down to guard against muscle strain and
serious injury. Watch this film for a complete warm up routine that
you can follow before doing any kind of exercise, not just
Pilates.
Pilates Breathing Techniques
Breathing is an essential part of any Pilates practice.
Pilates breathing aids concentration and gives you a strong
abdominal support by making you activate your core muscles. This
will protect your body against injury and improve your
posture.
You should breathe deeply in through your nose and out
through your mouth and in harmony with your movement. To learn more
watch Pilates:
Breathing
Creating A Stable Base
By learning to stabilize your pelvis during all your
Pilates exercises you protect your lower back from injury and
create a stable base fronm which to move freely.
There are two positions of the pelvis used in Pilates -
neutral and imprint. Watch Pilates:
Pelvic Placement to learn more.
Putting Together Your Own Routine
We have workout routines for intermediate level students
who have studied some Pilates before. These include
Pilates For Intermediates: Strengthen And Tone Your Arms,
Pilates For Intermediates: Strengthen And Shape Your Abs
and
Pilates For Intermediates: How To Tone And Lengthen Your
Legs.
If you're a beginner we recommend you read
Pilates: How To Prepare For Your First Class
