" In the beginning of the Tae Bo craze the Miami Herald wrote a full page featured article on my concerns on fitness/aerobics instructors teaching Fitness Kickboxing after a weekend seminar. In less than a year we read and witnessed on the local news the horrors of kickboxing injuries. Today’s hottest workout is Pilates. So in an effort to capitalize on the Pilates craze fitness/aerobics instructors are getting their Pilates certification throughout America in weekend seminars. His is a common practice in the fitness industry. They are also getting certifications in Tai Chi and Yoga on weekends.
Pilates is much more than an exercise method. Joseph Pilates developed his program to create a healthy body, a healthy mind, and a healthy life with balance. He blended many disciplines together to restore harmony and balance on three levels; physically, mentally, and spiritually. Originally, he referred to his work as “Contrology” because he believed that the mind controls the body and the spirit builds the body. He dedicated his life’s work to helping others achieve their full potential in life; he passed his methods on to his students and disciples to be carried into the 21st century impacting the lives of people all over the world. Uncle Joe as he was known by his disciple’s also developed a few apparatus know today as Pilates equipment. Pilates must be rolling in his grave as these weekend certified instructors are destroying his life long study of the human body.
We were the first certified Pilates instructor’s in West Dade and we are still the only Pilates equipment studio in West Dade. My wife Elena who was featured on the Today Show doing Pilates at the PGA is the head of Anta’s Fitness Pilates programs. Elena is a fully certified Pilates equipment and mat instructor through All American Pilates. She is currently conducting private equipment and group mat and small apparatus classes at our studio. In 2002 we introduced Pilates through a workshop’s at the World Martial Arts Conference and we were featured in 2 National Association of Professional Martial Artist videos. In December 2003 Elena had the privilege to train in New York City with Stephanie Beatty. Ms Beatty is a disciple of Ramana Kryzanowska. Ramona was Joseph Pilates eldest disciple. Stephanie was also featured in Romana’s book the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning and teaches at Romana’s studio Drago’s Gymnasium. In the summer of 2004 she trained at Drago's Gym and this year 2005 she attended a seminar with another disciple of Joseph Pilates Lolita San Miguel. Elena believes in continual education and will continue to expand her horizons as a Pilates instructor.
You can not learn Pilates properly by a video or an untrained fitness instructor. I’ve seen some good videos on Pilates and some that the fitness instructor with little knowledge in Pilates is breaking every Pilates rule and principle. Even a good video can not correct your alignment, technique or breathing. A well rounded Pilates program will take the spine through its full range of motion. These movements will keep the discs nourished and healthy. Pilates strengthens the muscles that support the spine and increases its flexibility therefore reducing compression and pain. Pilates will help you reeducate the body and develop healthier postural habits. It will strengthen the muscles that support the spine. A balanced muscle is both flexible and strong. Your muscle groups also need to have a balance in their relationship with one another for optimum health and fitness. Pilates will do all this and more. Before starting Pilates classes check the instructors certification and hours of study.
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