Yoga and Pilates
Joseph Pilates, a young German boxer, dancer, and circus performer, created his exercise system as a form of physical rehabilitation. Today, Pilates is used by all kinds of people with different goals. Pilates gives everyone increased strength and flexibility throughout the muscles which results in a long, lean look without the bulk.
Developed in India, Yoga is an ancient discipline with roots going back approximately 5,000 years. Today, most Yoga practices in the West focus on the physical postures called "asana," breathing exercises called "pranayama," and meditation. Traditionally, the goal of Yoga is union with the true self although today the focus is often on the more down–to–earth benefits of Yoga, including improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control, and general well being.
The beauty of Yoga is in its versatility, allowing practitioners to focus on physical, psychological, or spiritual well being, or a combination of all three. Traditional exercise is goal oriented. Yoga, by contrast, is a process. The idea is to focus your awareness on what you are doing and how you feel as you perform the Yoga postures. In exercise, you fail if you miss your goal. In Yoga, you succeed by trying. There's also a difference on the physical level. Whereas weight training makes you stronger by breaking down and rebuilding muscle, often resulting in a bulky look, Yoga increases strength by toning and stretching muscles.
The benefits of Yoga include increased relaxation, diminishing of muscle contracture, lowered blood pressure, improved symmetry, and corrected muscular imbalance and posture with more flexibility. You'll also experience better coordination, balance, and joint stability. Stretching can also help or avert low back pain by increasing the mobility of the trunk and flexibility of the lumbar spine. Generally, stretching and increased flexibility enhances velocities, energies, and momentum involved in all physical activity.
We look forward to helping you look and feel your best with fun, gentle, and highly effective exercises in an accepting environment.
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