How It Works
What to Expect
Many people believe Pilates is just stretching. However, Pilates doesn’t involve passive stretching or holding poses, as in yoga. Pilates is continuous movement patterns. Each exercise incorporates both strengthening and stretching elements as you move. Initially, movements are slow, but as you progress, the pace and intensity builds. In the classical style, we eventually aim to complete the entire Pilates repertoire within an hour.
Pilates incorporates “full body” engagement. The body is not divided into areas that are worked on in different days. When we walk, move, dance, play sports, we need our entire (full-body) to fire and connect correctly in order to move.
There is a constant learning process in Pilates. As in learning a sport or technique-based activity such as golf, martial arts, ballet, gymnastics, etc. We start with fundamentals and build upon those, layering complexity and intensity and refining movement. As clients and teachers alike, we are constantly acquiring new understanding and advancing. There is no end to the nuances, tweaks and learning available.
It's human nature to avoid difficult tasks, but Pilates encourages you to ask why something is challenging, identify your weaknesses and learn how to address them. Pilates is designed to bring balance to your body, and its techniques and unilateral exercises reveal hidden weaknesses and gives you the tools to strengthen them. It doesn’t take long to feel the newfound strength, and as you embrace and understand the system, you’ll likely fall in love with Pilates and become addicted to its benefits.
Dont expect the typical feeling of soreness the next day to be the measure of your success. Pilates is not about going for the burn. There are no repeated sets. In fact, many exercises are repeated only 3 times. The maximum repetitions never exceed 10. We are aiming for quality of movement vs. quantity. The focus is discipline and effort, using the “6 Principals of Pilates” Breath: Concentration: Control: Precision: Centre: Flow.
First Time Doing Pilates?
Pilates will likely be unlike anything you’ve done before. Don’t expect a full, intense workout on day one—or even in the first week. It’s a learning process, starting with understanding the four ways the spine moves, a touch of anatomy to support your learning, and a gradual introduction to all the equipment.
Pilates isn’t taught by watching and copying the teacher. Instead, the teacher guides you verbally, observing how your body moves and helping to refine your movement.
You’ll work at your own level, but be constantly challenged just beyond your capability in order to create change: to correct misalignments, improve posture, develop strength, flexibility, and create a balanced body.
About Pilates
-
Pilates is an extremely effective discipline of neuromuscular exercise and conditioning. The method utilizes a set sequence of exercises requiring precise form and technique.
Pilates employs a range of specialized, multi-functioning equipment that uses spring resistance and unique 3-dimensional movements.
Pilates goes beyond strengthening just the large muscle groups. It strengthens and rebuilds the body from its centre; the spine and intrinsic muscles, out to the periphery of the body. Essentially, Pilates works the micro muscles that get overlooked in a typical workout. Emphasis is placed on correct bio-mechanical movement to create strength, length, proper alignment, and increase flexibility and range of motion.
-
Pilates is an excellent exercise form for individuals of all ages, genders, and fitness levels. The age range of clients at Yaletown Pilates is between 11 and 84 years; from aspiring youth seeking the conditioning edge to prepare for their Olympic journey, to seniors seeking longevity and vitality.
For Pilates clients from the film and showbiz industry seeking privacy and customized schedules during their visit to Vancouver, Yaletown Pilates is the ideal private setting and location and is experienced in providing client discretion.
For individuals seeking a holistic approach to fitness, Pilates provides mindful techniques and a healthy outlet to relieve stress and seek improvements in mental well being.
-
Builds a uniformly developed body which moves with ease, grace and fluidity
Increases strength, flexibility, and core stability
Teaches how to fully and properly engage the entire core muscles
Builds long, lean muscles and elongates the body
Increases joint mobility and range of motion
Corrects structural imbalances, alignment and improves posture
Decompresses the spine and contributes to restoring spinal health and vitality
Teaches spinal articulation
Teaches neuro-muscular patterning and body awareness
Improves coordination, balance and proprioceptive vision
An invaluable adjunct to professional sports training and also for rehabilitation
A key tool for the aging population, benefiting bone density and bone health
Learn what to expect during your first and subsequent sessions at Yaletown Pilates.
The Pilates Equipment
Pilates employs a range of specialized equipment that allows for a variety of exercises targeting the entire body. Each piece of equipment provides a complete and intensive “full-body” workout. (Unlike in “traditional” fitness where one piece of equipment is used for each muscle, or the body is divided into areas that are worked on in different days.)
The equipment is multi-functioning, meaning it is used in many directions and planes. It is adjustable for differing body sizes, abilities, and levels of skill, making it versatile for beginners as well as challenging for advanced practitioners.
The equipment incorporates spring resistance, bars, straps and push-through devices that allow for a wide range of 3-dimensional movements and unconventional planes for the body.
Resistance is provided through adjustable springs that exert an opposing force. The way in which Pilates utilizes and plays with this resistance is what sets Pilates apart from traditional fitness.
The 5 main pieces of Pilates equipment
-
The reformer was the first piece of apparatus created by Joseph Pilates. It provides spring resistance from underneath its sliding carriage. The reformer also uses leather straps for the hands and feet.
-
The Cadillac, or its floor version cousin known as the Tower, is one of the most comprehensive pieces of Pilates equipment. It incorporates bars, straps, springs, and push-through bars that allow for a wide range of 3-dimensional movements, offering a full-body workout. The horizontal, vertical and overhead components on the Cadillac version allow full 3-dimensional work in all planes of movement, including inversion work.
-
The Pilates chair is a compact and highly effective piece of equipment that requires tremendous strength and control. Its small size doesn't limit its effectiveness; the chair provides an intense bullet of a workout!! It forces you to use your local stabilizers and challenges the entire body from the inside out. The chair was created by Joseph for clients to practice their exercises at home. It was a smaller piece of equipment that could still replicate the Reformer. It also doubled as an armchair when flipped over and could be incorporated as furniture when not in use. Ingenious!
-
Various size barrels, such as the Ladder Barrel and Spine Corrector which do not use spring resistance but support and challenge the spine through a range of exercises and help deepen the Pilates fundamentals. The Ladder Barrel, in particular, allows for deep stretches and promotes spinal mobility and flexibility.
-
Classical Pilates mat is a set sequence of 34 Pilates exercises taught in the same order, on a specialized Pilates mat. Many of the exercises originating from the equipment work are performed without the support the springs and equipment provide. This can make it more difficult for beginners. The majority of exercises are performed lying in prone or supine position, working against gravity and therefore provide and additional challenge.
Ready to Try a Session?
Frequently Asked Questions
-
If you are detail-oriented person and prefer the exclusivity of working in a private setting with one-on-one instruction, this may be the right environment for you.
If you would like to start with a phone conversation, please book a discovery call on the booking app. Or use the contact us form
-
As standard across the industry, 24hr notice is required for cancellations or changes. Late cancellations or no shows will be charged in full.
-
Choose comfortable, form-fitting workout clothes that allow us to monitor your alignment and movement.
Pilates is performed in bare feet so the muscles of the feet can also be engaged. For hygienic and safety reasons, we require that Pilates, anti-slip socks be worn during your session. Socks are available for purchase at the studio at a cost of $20.00.
Please note: The studio is a shoe-free zone as teachers and students work on the floor. This is for hygiene as well as safety. Soles of shoes deposit granular dirt or tiny stones that can cause injury. Please respect the Studio policy by leaving your shoes in the entry area.
-
Yes! Not only was Pilates originally created by a man, but it was originally designed exclusively for men.
Private Pilates sessions are the ideal way to create the ultimate balanced body for men with muscle mass from traditional gym fitness. Strong armoury muscles generally means weak intrinsic muscles, spinal compression, muscle imbalances and tight fascia.
Pilates will help increase power and strength in a new way, by helping find deep core muscle activation, spinal decompression, improved fascial health, elongated muscles and increased flexibility and joint mobility.
The results will be better posture and a more balanced, healthier body, that moves with greater ease and fluidity.
-
This can be arranged! Currently we only offer private 1:1 sessions, However, this is an upcoming option for clients after they have taken their initial private introductory sessions.
Please use the contact us form to set this up.
-
Yes! We can make this happen. Please contact us and provide details such as location, size of group and requested time(s)
-
As in any other fitness regime, 3-4 sessions per week are optimum to feel the full benefits. However, we understand this is not always practical. A minimum commitment of 2-3 sessions per week are suggested. However, even with 1 session per week you will feel an improvement.
-
Pilates is not like yoga. Yoga is done on a mat without any equipment in large groups without personal guidance. Poses are held in yoga. Pilates is a steady, dynamic flow, all about equipment and resistance work and is taught 1:1 or in small groups with guidance and hands on corrections.
-
Book an appointment via the booking page and complete the online Intake Form upon booking an appointment. We need the intake form at least 24 hours prior to your appointment in order to review your file ahead of time and prepare for your needs.
-
Yes!
-
Please use the contact form and we respond either the same day, or within 24 hours..