About Physiopilates Carlisle

Pilates was developed in the first half of the 20th Century by a man called Joseph Pilates, whose father was a gymnast and mother was a neuropath.

Joseph Pilates believed strongly that the mind and body are interrelated and he developed his approach based on both western and eastern medicinal and exercises philosophies.

After practicing and refining his new approach for several years, Joseph Pilates began to teach ‘Pilates’ (which he called “movementology”) to a few select students. These students in turn taught others and, in this way, Pilates began to grow and evolve.

However, despite this evolution, the founding principles that Joseph Pilates used to develop his approach have remained a core aspect of Pilates to this day. 

Joseph Pilates developed eight key principles for Pilates:

• Concentration
• Breathing
• Centering
• Control
• Precision
• Flowing Movement
• Integrated Isolation
• Routine

Through controlled movements and sustained holds, the classes and one-to-one sessions we teach aim to develop control and strength of a group of muscles known collectively as ‘Core Muscles’.  These include the muscles in the abdomen, buttocks, lower and upper back, neck and thigh.

However, there is more to Pilates than simply strengthening core muscles. The Pilates exercises that we teach in our classes contain exercises specifically designed to increase joint flexibility, improve movement patterns and posture.

Improving posture and correcting movement patterns can have a global effect on a person, reducing or preventing many ‘lifestyle’ complaints such as: neck and back pain, joint stiffness, hip pain, pins and needles, shoulder pain and recurrent or un-resolved injuries, as well as improving concentration and overall stress.

We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions we get asked about Pilates.

If you would like more information or would like to discuss your particular needs, please get in touch and ask to speak to a physiotherapist.

I have lower back pain and my GP has suggested I try exercise, will Pilates be suitable for me?

Absolutely, Pilates will help to get your back moving and strengthen up your core stability muscles which should help with your pain. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that gentle movement and strengthening exercises, like the exercises we teach at PhysioPilates Carlisle, can have a very real and lasting benefit for back pain sufferers. Read this article from the NHS Choices website for more on the benefits of Pilates.

I get terrible mid back and neck pain when sitting at my desk, how can Pilates help me?

One of the many benefits of Pilates is its focus on strengthening postural muscles. If we spend long periods of time sitting poorly (at a desk or slouching on the couch), some of our postural muscles can become stretched whist others become tight and the result of this is often reduced strength and pain. The small joints in the neck, shoulder and mid back can become stressed as well, which left un-treated, can develop into arthritis as we age. Correcting this is not always as simple as ‘sitting up straight’ as the muscles needed to hold you in an upright position may have become weakened and this is where Pilates can help. By gently strengthening your postural muscles and teaching good posture, regular Pilates can yield life-changing benefits.

How will Pilates help my back pain?

To put it simply, by encouraging you to move your back more and by strengthening up your core stability muscles. Moving your back will allow locked facet joints to start freeing up, allow tight muscles to stretch and loosen and let you start moving again in a more natural way - helping to reduce pain and discomfort. Building up your core will help support your back and address any muscle imbalances which might be contributing to your pain.

I keep hearing about ‘core stability’, what exactly is the core?

The core simply describes a group of deep muscles which help to stabilise and control the spine. When a person has back pain, these muscles can become inhibited and quickly begin to weaken. By learning to voluntarily activate and strengthen the core muscles, we are able to better stabilise the back through movement, reducing the risk of injury and helping to speed up recovery. Think of it as if wearing a corset or a weight lifter belt all the time!

Can Pilates improve athletic performance?

Many athletes are using Pilates exercises to improve performance. Whilst the exercises you learn in Pilates won’t develop your stamina, they will strengthen your ‘powerhouse’ and allow you to use your body more efficiently. More and more professional teams, such as rugby teams, professional cycling teams and tri-athletes are looking to Pilates to give them the extra edge over their competition.

Can Pilates help me lose weight?

Pilates won’t help you lose weight on its own, but as part of a healthy lifestyle it can certainly help (and it will help tone you up).