It is difficult to explain what pilates is in just a few words. Even students  who have been practicing pilates for awhile when asked what it is have difficulty defining it - most students just know that it makes them feel great!

So, what is it - Pilates is a full body-conditioning program comprised of a series of approximately 500 specifically designed movements performed standing, seated or on a mat and/or on specific apparatus, developed in the early 1900's by German born, Joseph H. Pilates. Joseph's unique system of stretching and strengthening exercises were designed to work the body as a whole unit, focusing on the abdominal, back and hip muscles, an area he termed the "powerhouse".

Joseph believed that the center or core of the the body is where the "power" or strength of  movement comes from. He realized that a strong, flexible core enables the body to function more efficiently and avoid injury.  Pilates is a "mindful"  approach  to strengthening and stretching muscle groups according to their  biomechanical needs undoing  muscular imbalances, correcting body alignment, improving posture, body awareness and ease of movement.