WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates is a system of exercises, based on the original method of body conditioning designed by Joseph Pilates.
Initially he introduced 34 exercises performed on the mat and named his system Contrology. It was based on his studies of Eastern and Westerns forms of exercise and philosophies, which is why there are some similarities between Pilates and Yoga.
His exploration of body movement evolved into designing exercise equipment, which he called apparatus and which you can find in modern Pilates studios all over the world, reformer being one of the most recognised. Over the course of his life, Joseph Pilates developed over 600 exercises.
His guiding philosophy was that whole body should be conditioned to achieve good health, correct body alignment  and balance. In Pilates, there is a strong focus on strengthening the core muscles, responsible for holding the spine and pelvis in optimal position, as well as the use of the stabilising muscles to maintain optimal body alignment. 
For Joseph Pilates his life's work was not merely a system of exercises. His work is underpinned by a number of principles, which should be prevalent at all times, during the execution of the movements and during the teaching, guiding both, teacher and client, on the path to mind body connection, body awareness and wellbeing.