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Have you experienced an injury that has stopped you from participating in activities that bring you joy? Perhaps that injury or condition led you to seek treatment from a licensed professional such as a physical therapist, which improved or solved the problem – but now what? How do you return to activity without re-injuring yourself? STOTT pilates is an excellent option to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and fitness activities. Pilates is a mind-body exercise system pioneered by Joseph Pilates, a physical trainer and inventor. His exercise regime and equipment has been used since its inception during WWI to promote physical fitness, flexibility, correct postural alignment, core stability and breath-work. The original exercises developed by Joseph Pilates can still be performed as Classical Pilates, but a more modern, exercise-science based approach to this program has been developed and is called the STOTT Pilates method. Physical therapists, exercise professionals and sports medicine experts have used current research and physiological principles to create a safe and effective method of exercise accessible to all ages, levels and abilities. "A certified Pilates instructor is an ideal person to provide foundational education and personalised information for your transition back to the activities you love." Certified STOTT pilates instructors have participated in a rigorous training program that includes didactic learning, observation, practice teaching and thorough examination so that they can safely guide participants through a well-rounded and complete exercise program. Assessing participants and creating exercise programs that cater to their needs means progress can happen more quickly than if a cookie-cutter approach was adopted. Also, skilled instructors can make needed modifications or use props to help an individual get all they can out of each exercise. Healthcare professionals often do not have the length of time or number of sessions you might need to feel confident setting newly gained techniques into practice in the real world. Also, there are individuals in the community who may not be credentialed, offering advice that may or may not be beneficial to you given your particular history. A certified pilates instructor is an ideal person to provide foundational education and personalised information for your transition back to the activities you love. Private, also known as one-on-one sessions, allow the most time for education and detailed instruction for any participant. Group classes also exist to provide a fun but safe environment to practice new techniques under the watchful eye of the instructor. Foundational principles are built into every STOTT pilates exercise. In a rehabilitation setting, it is common to learn about an injury and how to correctly complete activities while on a path to resolving that injury. STOTT pilates also places a large emphasis on performing exercises correctly by introducing the core principles and using education and cues for optimal performance. Once the principles are mastered, progressive exercises are integrated to further challenge stability, strength and endurance.Various pieces of apparatus such as the reformer, cadillac and tower, along with props such as resistance bands, myofascial balls, and fitness circles are applied to help individuals attain excellence with the basis of each exercise. They also add an additional “spin” on any activity so sessions are always dynamic and fun. Having a skilled movement professional guide and correct you as you move through an exercise program will improve the quality of your performance and increase your confidence with activity inside and outside of the pilates studio. Your STOTT certified instructor provides education, supervision, and exercise progression to skilfully transition you from rehabilitation to fitness.

The Power of a Support Team. Connections through exercise Joe Pilates placed a strong emphasis on unity and holistic well-being, shaping his wellness methodology to benefit the entire person instead of focusing on isolated aspects. Within his broader philosophy of promoting overall health through his method, the practice fosters a spirit of community and shared wellness goals. Trainor Movement Co. is dedicated to making its offerings accessible to every body, prioritizing the universal desire for a positive and invigorating experience. The classes aren't just about getting fit—they're all about making you feel awesome and energized! Instructors, teachers, and mentors at the studio are committed to focusing on each unique individual, recognizing and celebrating the diverse range of participants who come together to reap the positive benefits of their classes. This inclusive approach ensures that we cater to the well-being of all, fostering a welcoming environment for everyone to embark on their fitness journey. The studio's strength lies in the collective efforts of its dedicated teachers and support team, who contribute to creating a strong sense of community. Beyond the exercise method itself, Trainor Movement Co. is defined by its inviting, supportive and inclusive atmosphere, where individuals of all backgrounds and fitness levels can feel comfortable and motivated. Bring Your Friends: Building a Strong Community Accountability is a crucial component of success and we recognize the power of a support team, which includes you, your friends, and our community. Achieving goals becomes more attainable when clients have someone to hold them accountable, much like the teamwork seen in sports or the encouragement found in activities like cycling with a friend. Together, we foster a collaborative environment that promotes not only individual success but also shared accomplishments within our community.

Choosing the right Pilates practice for your body can be challenging due to the many expressions of the method. While the core exercise principles are always respected, the practice has evolved over time. Some practitioners adhere to the original regime, while others explore new approaches, staying true to the essence and drawing inspiration from the origins. Pilates, in its essence, makes all exercise methodical and measurable. Essentially, the Pilates method aims to strengthen and stretch the body with balance in alignment and posture. Control is key—your mind guides your muscles, each movement serves a purpose, and focused intentional breathing creates a rhythmic flow. Classical Pilates is the purest form of Contrology, the exercise method created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. This disciplined approach emphasizes a deep understanding of the human musculoskeletal system for a personalized, full-body, and mindful workout, following Joseph Pilates' original teachings. Exercise repertoire : The routines follow the traditional order and sequence as documented by Joseph Pilates, incorporating Mat, Reformer, Wunda Chair, Cadillac, and more, with a focus on core strength, alignment, and controlled movement. Equipment usage : Authentic Pilates equipment is used which adhere to Joseph Pilates' original vision for equipment design. Principles employed : The Classical Pilates expression adheres to six fundamental principles: centering, control, concentration, precision, breath, and flow. Mind-Body connection : Practitioners engage both physical and mental focus with the goal of creating a harmonious connection between body and mind. Archival Pilates  refers to the preservation and sharing of Joseph Pilates’ original exercises, exactly as he documented. The practice preserves the roots of this transformative exercise method, allowing us to connect with Joseph Pilates’ original teachings and honor the lineage of Pilates instructors. Contemporary Pilates is a modern and accessible version of the original exercises by Joseph Pilates. It retains the foundation of Pilates' work but introduces new variations to align with today's training needs. Unlike the emphasis on flow in traditional Pilates, contemporary Pilates prioritizes adaptability. Teachers assess the class participants' bodies and guide them through movements that suit the group, focusing on what makes sense for each individual. The modern practice informed by scientific research, integrates valuable insights into biomechanics, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Sessions or classes within this approach may feature exercises, tailored for specific rehabilitation purposes or to address particular movement patterns. By drawing on the latest knowledge, contemporary Pilates aims to provide a well-rounded and targeted approach to enhance physical well-being, making it adaptable and beneficial for individuals with diverse needs or those seeking focused rehabilitation exercises. Classical and Contemporary Pilates: the essentials Exercise variations : Classical Pilates preserves Joseph Pilates' original exercises and order, while contemporary Pilates introduces variations to adapt to individual needs, modifying existing exercises or creating new approaches. Choreography and order : The Classical methodology strictly adheres to the original exercise order envisioned by Joe Pilates, while contemporary Pilates offers flexibility by allowing the mixing of orders, creating new sequences, or incorporating choreography variations to tailor sessions to individual clients. Equipment usage : Both Classical and contemporary Pilates use authentic Pilates equipment, however contemporary Pilates may also integrate additional props like stability balls,resistance bands, or foam rollers. Whether you prefer a traditional and authentic regimen with the original flow and transitions, in which case Classical Pilates is your "go-to," or if you lean towards a more adaptable and therapeutic approach, providing flexibility and customization based on personal goals and comfort level, contemporary Pilates might better suit your style. STOTT Pilates® is a modern approach blending Joseph Pilates' foundational principles with contemporary insights in physical rehabilitation and performance. It enhances the traditional Pilates method with updated exercises grounded in scientific understanding, including physiology and anatomy. This modern expression provides a comprehensive and effective exercise program, seamlessly integrating both traditional Pilates principles and modern advancements in movement science. Three-dimensional movement: STOTT Pilates emphasizes maintaining a full range of motion, engaging in exercises that move the body in various planes. Focus on joint muscles : In addition to core strength, the practice also emphasizes the significance of muscles around the joints, essential for overall movement and balance. Balanced approach : The practice addresses over-training through the inclusion of cardiovascular exercises and a commitment to ensuring that workout routines equally target both sides of the body. Through the integration of cardiovascular training with Pilates' core principles, the STOTT methodology strives for a holistic and well-rounded fitness approach, aiming to prevent potential imbalances and enhance overall strength and flexibility. In contrast to certain traditional methods, the updated exercises emphasize engaging both sides of the body equally, fostering a balanced and harmonious development of muscles. Imprint vs. neutral spine : Classical Pilates often emphasizes an imprinted position, with the spine pressed low on the apparatus, focusing on creating a posterior pelvic tilt during exercises. This can result in a different muscle engagement pattern compared to the more neutral position encouraged by STOTT Pilates. The emphasis on a neutral spine position, a more natural spine curvature, is designed to achieve a balanced distribution of muscle engagement, supporting better alignment and contributing to an overall sense of physical equilibrium and well-being. Customizable for special needs : The exercises can be tailored to accommodate individual needs, making it suitable for a wide range of clients. Equipment usage : Similar to Classical and contemporary expressions of the practice, the STOTT-Merrithew apparatus collection includes the same family of equipment as employed by Joe Pilates—such as the Cadillac, Stability Chair (an updated Wunda Chair), Reformer, Mat, Spine Corrector, and Ladder Barrel—but with updated mechanisms. These enhancements, developed in collaboration with sports medicine and fitness professionals, incorporate modern principles of exercise science. "Control is key… each movement serves a purpose, and focused intentional breathing creates a rhythmic flow.” Pilates Style: Classical, Archival, Contemporary, and STOTT PILATES.

Why Pilates? Athletes, dancers, and people in physiotherapy and medical rehabilitation often choose Pilates for functional mobility and cross-training. Pilates exercises are foundational for fitness and mobility, accessible to all levels. The methodology helps build a base level of fitness, and at Trainor Movement Co., our instructors work to help you achieve optimal mobility. Pilates for every body! While Pilates is known for being a low-impact exercise methodology, it still presents challenges. In studio sessions, your teacher will ask you to complete a screening form to learn about any injuries or health issues. This information helps instructors adjust exercises if necessary. It’s crucial to make informed decisions before starting Pilates, considering its suitability for your needs. Like any exercise, there’s a risk of overdoing it. To avoid injury, follow correct techniques and pace yourself, especially as a beginner. Adhering to proper form and gradually increasing intensity can make your Pilates experience safer and more effective. Benefits for your body • Pilates promotes lean muscle development, enhancing body strength, flexibility, and supporting bones and joints to reduce fracture risk. • The exercises improve posture and balance, allowing you to move through your day with energy. • The training increases bone strength and density, making Pilates beneficial for women in menopause or perimenopause experiencing bone density loss due to lower estrogen levels. “In ten sessions you’ll feel the difference, in twenty you’ll see the difference, and in thirty you’ll have a new body” ~ Joseph Pilates Our approach The STOTT contemporary expression of Pilates is versatile and adaptable, catering to individual needs and capabilities, making it an ideal option for people at different fitness and mobility levels. At Trainor Movement Co., our instructors employ a blend of visual and kinetic cues during your session. They combine various exercise sets designed to enhance functional mobility, emphasizing an active approach that goes beyond passive movement. Your first class For Pilates beginners, we suggest starting with an introductory private session before jumping into the group classes. This initial one-on-one session allows us to assess your body, offer personalized recommendations, and introduce you to various equipment. It ensures focused attention on your individual needs and serves as a comfortable starting point. This approach is especially beneficial for those with injuries or physical conditions, ensuring a safe and effective training environment. Private training addresses safety concerns, with benefits including posture analysis, movement assessments, and customized workouts tailored to your unique situation. This personalized attention is key to optimizing the benefits of your Pilates journey. The personal attention of private sessions Your individual needs become our sole priority in these sessions, allowing our instructors to provide exclusive one-on-one guidance. As a new client, you can take advantage of the introductory 55-minute private session Trainor Movement Co. This personalized approach ensures a tailored learning experience and focused attention to maximize the benefits of your session. The Novice Sampler: Fundamentals Three of our favourites for novice clients: pilates near me

Control is at the core The most efficient approach to building stamina involves working muscles simultaneously while continuously switching movements. Pilates, designed to engage the deepest muscles in the body, aims to develop a robust core without the discomfort often associated with conventional exercises. At its core, the Pilates method emphasizes stretching and strengthening the body in harmony with balance and alignment. Consistency is the key The frequency of Pilates practice depends on fitness goals, physical condition, and schedule. Beginners should start with one or two classes per week and gradually increase as they become familiar with the exercises. Intermediate clients may choose to increase both frequency and exercise complexity. Level up For the intermediate practitioner, the experience becomes more dynamic and challenging, serving as a crucial stage for skill development. This progression introduces advanced exercises that build upon the foundational techniques learned in beginner Pilates. The higher intensity fosters deeper engagement, pushing boundaries, and enhancing overall fitness. One key focus of intermediate Pilates is the refined form. Having established a strong foundation in the beginner level, you’ll continue to hone your technique, ensuring precision and efficiency in your movements. The emphasis on refined form contributes not only to the effectiveness of each exercise but also to the prevention of injuries. As you advance through intermediate Pilates, you’ll notice an enhancement in core strength, a crucial element in achieving stability and control. The incorporation of balance challenges further intensifies the workout, promoting improved coordination. This level of Pilates introduces an element of flow, complexity, and choreography to your exercise sessions. This transition allows for a more seamless integration of movements and the exploration of different ranges of motion, movement directions, or planes of movement. “The higher intensity fosters deeper engagement, pushing boundaries, and enhancing overall fitness.” Level up but listen to your body As practitioners advance to intermediate or advanced levels, Pilates can be practiced up to five times a week. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of your body, avoiding overtraining that may lead to muscle soreness and fatigue. Regular communication with instructors at Trainor Movement Co. is emphasized, allowing practitioners to express any fatigue, weakness, or sensitivity in specific areas. Modifications are always accommodated, ensuring a tailored and supportive Pilates experience that aligns with individual needs and progress. The Intermediate Sampler: Next level Three of our favourites for intermediate clients:

A comprehensive workout Advanced Pilates exercises are designed to be part of a comprehensive workout that includes various exercises at different levels, creating a balanced and dynamic routine. Before incorporating advanced work, it’s essential to have a firm grasp of beginner and intermediate exercises. As you progress from novice to intermediate levels under the guidance of the instructors at Trainor Movement Co., you will become acquainted with modifications, ensuring rhythmic and controlled movements. The advanced variations build upon your existing knowledge, adding depth to your practice. Progression through practice Under your teacher’s direction, you’ll progress from basic exercises to more intricate, integrated movements. Your exercise goals are tailored to you, starting with mastering mat or reformer exercises in the early stages. Patience is essential as you work on control. Some advanced exercises and equipment may be unfamiliar, so it’s crucial to discover what feels best for your body while aiming for mastery. While many Pilates exercises are suitable for all levels, trying advanced exercises is safest with trained supervision. The focus remains on connecting with your body, prioritizing control, and exploring ways to enhance your Pilates practice. “Mastering efficient muscle connection consistently ensures lasting results.” The journey Once you’ve established the foundational principles, you can progress in your Pilates practice. Explore enhanced movement complexity with the instructors at Trainor Movement Co., starting with simple movements and gradually incorporating multiple planes of motion. This approach not only builds physical strength but also improves coordination and movement efficiency. Advanced Pilates exercises thrive in the context of diverse movements at various levels, delivering a well-rounded, dynamic workout experience. The Stability Chair challenge The Stability Chair, an updated version of Joe Pilates’ original ‘Wunda Chair,’ provides a unique challenge for those looking to enhance their Pilates practice. The compact design of this apparatus, with its spring-loaded split pedal mechanism, allows for diverse exercises that target specific muscle groups yet promoting overall body harmony, increased core strength, balance, and stability. The STOTT Pilates-certified team at Trainor Movement Co. excel in coaching Stability Chair workouts, offering benefits beyond the abdominals, leading to a comprehensive transformation. The chair’s adaptable resistance caters to all fitness levels, promoting improved flexibility and joint health. The growth If you want to step up your Pilates game with advanced exercises, check out the Special Group Class Passes or the Membership plan and explore more opportunities to polish your practice. The Advanced Sampler: Progression Three of our favourites for advanced clients:

Can introducing Pilates help with how far and how well you cycle? The answer is a resounding yes! But how exactly can adopting Pilates help? An active lifestyle requires a variety of movements to reduce the risk of injury and rehabilitation. Pilates balances the movement of cycling and adds the much needed diversity cyclist’s require to keep safe while on the bike. Whether you’re practising for the Olympics or cycling to-and-from work, incorporating Pilates into your health and wellness routine can benefit your cycling routine. It’s no secret that Pilates targets the abdominal, hip and back muscles. By strengthening these well-used muscles, Pilates helps riders by increasing the body’s propensity to keep stable while limbs move. By improving deep core strength, cyclists can increase power through their legs, making them faster and more efficient! " Pilates helps riders by increasing the body’s propensity to keep stable while limbs move " As you may have guessed, ensuring proper hip joint and limb alignment–another wonderful feature of a regular Pilates practice–helps cyclists to use the proper muscles more effectively on the bike. Even muscle distribution counteracts any musculoskeletal imbalance caused by injury and will help increase your body’s optimal function. The benefit goes even further and aids in bettering posture! Cycling requires the repeated stooping of the neck and shoulders, leaving the hips, neck, and upper back susceptible to injury. Balanced muscles leads to improved posture, which results in a greater range of motion as well as strength and stability on the bike. "I work with a long-distance cyclist who, even after only 8 sessions, is feeling the benefits of Pilates. It is making accumulative sense to them, particularly around finding efficiency of movement and increasing breath capacity and effectiveness." -Ruth McIntosh, Pilates Instructor. One drawback of regular, prolonged cycling is that riders tend to have lower bone mineral density since cycling is a non-weight bearing form of movement. If a fall or crash occurs, cyclists may be at a greater risk for broken bones and fractures. Pilates counteracts this risk because it is a low-impact exercise that helps to systematically build a stronger core while keeping the body safe. Think of it as slowly stacking bricks one by one to build a structure–the lower the impact of each block the less the structure is disturbed and the greater the chance of a stable building. Now, think of throwing bricks at the ground; it would be much harder to build that way! Your body is similar. Introducing low-impact movement to your routine leads to greater comfort on the bike and protection from the risk of broken bones. It is clear that Pilates and cycling is a match made in heaven, but where do you get started? One way are private sessions at Trainor Movement Co., where our knowledgeable and experienced instructors can help you with your physical goals. Ready to elevate your cycling experience?

The hip joint is a complicated place. It needs a fair balance of strength and mobility to stay healthy and happy. Majority of people feel that their hips cause them pain due to tightness. Focusing on active movements that simultaneously elongate tight muscles while strengthening weaker ones will help prevent injury. Tight adductors can easily contribute to lower back pain. Your hip adductor muscles play a big role in knee and pelvic alignment. If your adductors are tight they could pull your pelvis into an anterior tilt. This would create what is called excessive lumbar lordosis, or an arched lower back. An increase in extension at your lower back can cause pain due to stress on tissues and joints. Things commonly seen with an anteriorly tilted pelvis and tight hip adductors are: medial rotation at the femur tight lumbar extensors weak abdominals weak hamstrings tight hip flexors So, how do you solve this? Lengthen your adductors, strengthen your hamstrings, and optimize core stability. Below you'll find some resources to help you with those movements! Try out these exercises at home and let us know what you think!

By: Robyn Harris Movement has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether that was the feeling of freedom I found while sailing across the floor in a dance class, gliding on ice skates, or even just feeling the wind in my hair as I ran through a park, I have come to learn that I am happiest when I am in motion. This realization led me to choose dance as not only a lifelong hobby, but professional career as well. There’s just something about the physical exertion paired with the challenge of learning new choreography that connects me to my most grounded self, and I yearn for this focus and peace daily. If I don’t move my body in some way each day, I don’t feel like ‘me’. I’m irritable, I’m unfocused, and I’m disconnected from my body and my self. Over the years, I’ve come to learn that it’s not so much the KIND of movement that matters, but the overall sensation I’m looking for. Is today a sweat-filled exertion kind of day? More of a stretch and strength vibe? What about something to simply move my energy around? Listening to my inner wisdom on what my body wants to do allows me to take part in and enjoy a plethora of different physical activities. One of the activities I’ve had the pleasure of coming across in the past few years has been Pilates. Starting as a small module in my professional training program’s dance curriculum, I began to really enjoy the mind-body connection I cultivated through breath work and coordinated movement. I was able to see my strength improve quickly and it began to transfer over into other areas of my life – my dancing, my workouts at the gym, and even in my chronic back pain. Ever since, I have been hungry to continue with my exploration of movement through a Pilates lens, and recently began working with reformers and other studio props. I have absolutely fallen in love with the focus, strength, and feeling of length I feel from leaving a Pilates class, and I can’t wait to continue learning more progressions and ways to challenge my body for years to come.

Short answer...yes. In fact, you don't need a gender at all in order to do Pilates. It's a fast growing fitness trend that has served all people no matter their gender identity or expression. For those curious, there are plenty of people who identify as men that do Pilates. Some notable examples are: Connor McDavid, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Tyler Seguin, Antonio Brown, and Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. These are all professional athletes who have used Pilates to increase stability, muscular awareness, mobility, and to rehabilitate injuries. "I do private [pilates] classes. It's 45 minutes to an hour straight of just work. It's not as much stretching, but a lot of strengthening. We keep the room hot. I tell them to turn the air conditioning off, and we just go in there and work. We're focused and I have good teachers. It's fun. It's something completely different from what I do every day". - Kyle Lowry, NBA Champion Connor McDavid, a three-time NHL all-star and two-time Hart Trophy winner, is an excellent example of someone who has used Pilates to regain strength after injury. In his documentary "Whatever It Takes", McDavid makes a remarkable recovery from his horrendous knee injury and later wins his second Hart Trophy (NHL MVP). In combination with physical therapy and other modalities, McDavid uses STOTT PILATES equipment, and works with a certified instructor to strengthen his joints and core in his post-rehabilitation process. See more on the documentary HERE. Multiple NHL teams (including the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and San Jose Sharks) have now implemented Pilates practice into their teams overall workouts as it yields proven results. Pilates method was originally created by a man named Joseph Pilates, for the purpose of helping men recover from war wounds in the early 20th century. As the Pilates method has evolved, contemporary approaches have been created to focus more on the individual anatomy of the client. These contemporary approaches make it more accessible to all body types, gender identities, ages, and athletic abilities. “Even more remarkable than his dynamic play this season is the fact that [Antonio] Brown doesn’t lift weights in the off-season. Instead, he incorporates Pilates workouts into his training. They have enhanced his core strength, developed explosive power in his hips and glutes and created muscle balance through strengthening and alignment.” - Zac Clark on Antonio Brown, NFL To learn more about Pilates visit: What is Pilates?

There is nothing that means more to us than to hear about how you've connected here. Whether its connecting to a new community, or connecting to yourself; we're so glad to be the safe space for all of it. Here's a review from a client of ours who has been here since the very beginning: "I came to Trainor Movement Co. for core work, but the incredible community made me stay. The studio team's expertise and care have transformed my cycling with improved core strength. Every class is well-structured, personalized, and challenging, making me feel listened to, safe, and stronger. So grateful for Pilates and Kat’s team!" -Malcolm

Pilates is an exercise modality developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer - Joseph Pilates. Pilates originally called his method Contrology. Today, Pilates method focuses on neuromuscular training. In both "Contrology" and Neuromuscular training, mind-body connection is the key. So what does mind-body connection ACTUALLY mean? Think of it this way: muscles are dumb. Nerves are smart. We use this method to not only strengthen muscles, but teach them how to work optimally. Pilates has a global movement perspective. Meaning, the whole body is integrated into each exercise (vs. something like a gym routine that is focused on isolating muscle groups) which teaches your body a more functional way of strengthening muscles. STOTT PILATES contemporary methodology is based on a muscle funtion classification system to provide a framework for programming. In order, it works local stabilizer muscles, global stabilizer muscles, and then global mobilizer muscles. There are a few things you might notice your Pilates instructor does before, during, and after your session. Analyze your static posture: How does your body react to gravity? Do you have any visible muscle imbalances? How much awareness do you have of your standing posture? Various movement assessments: movement pattern tests, janda movement tests, can specific muscles engage? How do your muscles engage? How does each movement react with other body systems? Programming and application: Strategizing each movement task per your assessment results, add stabilizing disturbances in different planes of motion, work both dynamic and static control, re-train improper movement patterns caused by pain or lack of stability, and repatterning pathological sequences. Does it ACTUALLY work? There is significant evidence to support the use of Pilates in conjunction with other medical modalities can work to alleviate problems such as recurring injury, injury post-rehabilitation, and common lower back pain. One integral tenet of Pilates is that problems in the body's anatomy can affect its proper functioning. Another tenet is the body's innate ability to heal itself. Many Pilates exercises and equipment are designed to help reduce or eliminate the impediments to proper structure and function so the self-healing mechanism can assume its role in restoring a person to health. Pilates is unlike any other exercise modality as it pushes the boundaries of conventional exercise, fitness, and injury rehabilitation. Pilates accentuates versatility - making it accessible to all bodies. Where most recreational sports, and exercise modalities fall short is that they are often limited to those who do not have a physical or mental disability, older age, fat body, or pregnant body. Pilates is an exercise modality that is well-versed in taking care of all body types. In patients with chronic low back pain, Pilates showed significant improvement in pain relief and functional enhancement for the treatment of lower back pain. There is substantial evidence that regular equipment Pilates sessions can help with the conditioning of the abdominal muscles significantly. One study shows that ultrasonic examination confirmed that performance of some Pilates exercises (such as the Hundred) using Pilates equipment showed thicker transverse abdominal muscles than with mat-Pilates. This represents more transverse abdominal muscles were activated. The transverse abdominal muscles are deep, cross-joint and local core muscles. The activation of deeper muscles may exert a stiffening effect on the lumbar region to help stabilize the spinal segment. This may lead to improvement in functional activities in nonspecific CLBP patients, in part through an increase in self-confidence. A Physiotherapist will focus on one body part to find the issue and resolve it, versus an Osteopath will look at the bigger picture to see what needs to change functionally to strengthen a problem the misalignment was causing. Similarly to Osteopathy, Pilates takes a global approach at training individual anatomy; Whereas, in a gym setting training works muscle groups individually. Pilates focuses on training all systems as one integrated unit with emphasis on functionality. What are you waiting for... book yourself a session! Like, ACTUALLY.