Pilates Article Excerpt: Why is Pilates so Effective?

Madonna does it, ad so does Julia Roberts , Tom Cruise , Catherine Bell, Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Indians, Ruben Brown, Curt Schillling, Tiger Woods, Sharon Stone, Mel Gibson, Hugh Grant, Terri Hatcher, Jodie Foster and many more.

So, what is this Pilates that you have heard so much about lately? You're right. It is a form of exercise. Go to the top of the class. But, what is it that makes it different and gives it the reputation of being far more effective?

1) Deep Muscle Strength. Pilates makes you aware of, turns on and builds the strength of deeper inner muscles around the joints and particularly in the weight bearing center of the body. This makes the whole muscle system that much more effective, deeper in fact. In the center of the body these muscles are referred to as the "core".

2) Strength with stretch. Pilates teaches the muscles how to exercise and coordinate with each other. It teaches them how to elongate as well as contract to get stronger.

3) Breathing. Pilates teaches you how to breathe during exercise. Maximum oxygen intake means more efficient use of muscles and that's a good basis for fitness.

4) The together body. Pilates works on the principle that the body is a unit and no one muscle works without something else knowing about it, being influenced or joining in. Pilates makes the joints work in alignment.

Harmony of movement is the key.