Pilates – HFWB Activity 4, - Research.

Pilates is a physical activity or task that is similar to yoga, and named after Joseph Pilates, who came up with the idea. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, from Monchengladbach, Germany. His father was a gymnast and his mother a naturopath, which is a treatment of experimental and natural medicines, like for example, the sap from a tree or some pollen from a flower.

Modern yoga, like Pilates, is a mind-and-body discipline, and though yoga classes are more likely to address spiritual aspects, rather than physical aspects. Some poses are similar in the two activities; for example, open leg balance closely resembles a boat pose or a plank pose. Both disciplines develop strength, flexibility, and fitness. Pilates, however, emphasises core strength and balance where yoga emphasises flexibility and mental strength.

During the first half of the twentieth century, he developed a system of exercises which were intended to strengthen the human mind and body. Pilates believed that mental and physical health were interrelated and helped when doing Pilates.

Joseph Pilates

(Pictured above)