Why is This 1920s Exercise Making a Comeback … and Can You Benefit From Jumping on the Bandwagon?
by www.SixWise.com
Angelina Jolie reportedly does it for an hour three times a week. Julia Roberts reportedly used it to lose her post-pregnancy weight, Madonna does it, and so has Halle Berry, Sting, and even the San Francisco 49ers.
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The popularity of Pilates and other forms of mind-body exercise programs have increased dramatically in recent years.
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"It" is Pilates, an exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates back in the 1920s to create flexibility and strength for your entire body. As a physical trainer, Joseph Pilates believed physical fitness to be the first requisite of happiness, and he also was a firm believer that physical and mental health were dependent upon one another.
After falling below the radar for several decades, Pilates is back now with renewed fervor, attracting fitness enthusiasts across the board. According to Pilates.com:
"In the U.S., Pilates participants have grown in number from 1.7 million in 2000 to 10.6 million in 2006 -- more than 600% growth in just six years! And it continues to spread around the world."
Why are So Many People Doing Pilates?
Pilates is a popular exercise among dance companies, Broadway shows, students at performing arts schools and universities, sports teams, and celebrities because it lends a coveted "long and lean" look to its followers and creates strength without adding bulk.
But there is much more to Pilates than a slimmer figure. According to the United States Pilates Association (USPA), Pilates:
What Exactly IS Pilates?
You may have looked in on a Pilates class at your local gym, but for those who are still wondering what Pilates is, the USPA describes Pilates as:
" … not just exercise; It is a series of very precise, controlled movements that fully engage the body and mind. These movements are performed on exercise apparatus which was designed to support and guide the body through its ultimate transformation. Programs are tapered uniquely to each individual and their needs …"
However, while many Pilates courses do involve the use of special machines, some simply are conducted on a mat. Either way, all Pilates movements involve these six core concepts:
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Concentration
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Breathing
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Control
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Precision
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Rhythm/flow
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Centering
If you would like to give Pilates a try, courses are available in group sessions in health clubs and spas across the country. You can also take Pilates at a specialized Pilates center, which may offer group or one-on-one sessions. Check out this site from the United States Pilates Association to help you find a certified Pilates instructor near you.
For those of you who would prefer to get a sculpted body and a calm mind right in the comfort of your own home, well there are options for you as well.
There are numerous Pilates home DVDs available, but we suggest you try out a one-of-a-kind program that is used by numerous fitness buffs and professional athletes … a mind-body fitness program that takes the best parts of Pilates and combines them with components of Yoga, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Gyro-Kinesis, Dance and MORE -- guiding you through unique sequences of movements that strengthen, sculpt, build core and increase flexibility!
SheaNetics: The Unique Fitness Program That is Even BETTER Than Pilates
SheaNetics, founded by fitness expert Shea Vaughn, blends ancient and contemporary movements with eastern philosophy, creating a stylized approach to fitness designed to improve the quality of today’s western living.
Shea is a gifted instructor, personal trainer and CES (Corrective Exercise Specialist). Her background is in dance and ballet and includes numerous certifications including Yoga, Pilates, Gyro-kinesis, BOSU, Zumba and Body Pump in addition to her study of eastern philosophy through martial arts.
Exposure to these multiple physical disciplines evolved into her "best of" concept for lengthening muscles and strengthening the body. It was from this extensive accumulated library of movements that Shea was able to increase the selections of her classes while also adding rhythm and variety to each sequence, producing greater alternatives that are fresh and challenging.
What evolved was a highly successful method to achieve complete body fitness.
Upon introducing this concept to her fitness classes Shea was amazed and overwhelmed by the positive response. Several years of perfecting this physique-changing methodology followed and SheaNetics™ was born.
The range of SheaNetics™ students is impressively diverse from 25- to 75-year-olds, men and women, fitness buffs and athletes, people who want to get in shape, those who wish to maintain their present state of fitness and many who want to take it to a higher level.
SheaNetics has a broad appeal also extending to individuals with special challenges, including physical difficulties, limited range of motion or anyone who just wants to lengthen or stretch muscles and strengthen the body while opening their mind and nourishing their total self.
Shea’s years of learning and teaching also showed her that interest alone is not sufficient to keep a person engaged. Shea believes that "fitness is both a state of the body and of the mind," and this is why SheaNetics is based on the Five Living Principles that follow -- they are a positive guide for all you do:
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SheaNetics:
Your Pathway to Well-Being
SheaNetics realizes your goal is to find total health and fulfillment that is life lasting. This can be achieved by creating harmony in body, mind and self. SheaNetics gives you the practical tools to get into shape and kick it to ever higher levels.
Each nearly one hour workout is a new blend of the-best-of-the-best from Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Gyro-Kinesis, Dance and MORE -- guiding you through unique sequences of movements that strengthen, sculpt, build core and increase flexibility!
Separately (Each) List Price ($95.95)
Your Special Price Now Just $69.95!*
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Gaining, Getting, Giving "Love": Openness and respect for yourself, others and what life has to offer. It is the willingness to explore and interact with people, to listen, learn and share, and to always set the best example possible.
This program is truly unlike any other fitness program. This is "meditation in motion and thought." It reduces stress and allows you to enjoy a lifestyle of fitness, personal balance and well-being.
Most exercise programs are geared only to give you short term physical improvement. But SheaNetics™ understands the real goal for us all is to find total health and fulfillment that is life-lasting. This can only be achieved by creating harmony in body, mind and self.
We encourage you to check out Shea’s new 6-Disc DVD/CD workout set to "get started on your pathway to well-being!"
This groundbreaking DVD collection contains:
Find Out More and Order SheaNetics at MySheaNetics.com: Your Pathway to Well-Being Now!
And Now Keep Fit for Less!
Sheanetics has nearly sold out and told us that they will soon no longer offer this value of combined DVDs and CDs. They plan to break this set up into individual DVDs and CDs, each costing as much as one half this price or more, which could make this total package as much as three times the price or more.
So we recommend you buy NOW before this offer is no longer available!
Separately (Each) List Price ($95.95)
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*FREE SHIPPING until November 1 (FIRST Time Ever: MySheanetics.com has agreed to provide FREE SHIPPING … only until November 1).
Order your 6-PACK SheaNetics DVD/CD workout collection today!
Recommended Reading
At What Age is Exercise No Longer Good for You?
The Different Kinds of Yoga & The Focus of Each Kind in Brief
Sources
United States Pilates Association
Pilates.com
USAToday.com September 22, 2009