The term "Pilates" is not protected by trademark. Some forms of Pilates, such as Stott, closely resemble and build upon the original, classical Pilates. Other exercise methods may have little to do with founder Joseph Pilates' ideas of using focused concentration to retrain the body and strengthen the core muscles. Classical and Stott Pilates both employ precise movements on equipment such as the Reformer to isolate the deepest layers of the stomach muscles without over-training the quadriceps and chest.
History of Classical Pilates
Despite a sickly childhood, Joseph Pilates became a gymnast, boxer, body-builder, trapeze artist and yoga practitioner. He developed his own exercise methodology, retraining his posture by strengthening his core muscles and breathing with intention. During World War I, Joseph Pilates worked to rehabilitate bedridden soldiers with an exercise apparatus he constructed from a hospital bed, mattress springs, ropes and pulleys. This "bednasium" became the Pilates Reformer. In 1926, Joseph Pilates brought his system to the United States and gained the admiration of dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine.
History of Stott Pilates
Moira Merrithew, under her maiden name Stott, was the principal dancer with the City Ballet of Toronto. She practiced Pilates under Joseph Pilates' protegé, Romana Kryzanowska. Merrithew opened her own Pilates studio in 1988 with the cooperation of a team of sports medicine professionals and physical therapists. Today, Stott Pilates includes advances in spinal rehabilitation practices, promoting neutral spine placement and stabilization of the upper back. In keeping with contemporary physical therapy practices, Stott Pilates includes a number of warm-up exercises and modifications for rehabilitating clients.
Classical Pilates Equipment
Pilates equipment such as the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Wunda Chair and the Ladder Barrel allow you to position your body to work the deep lower abdominals and hamstrings while relaxing the shoulders, chest, quadriceps and hip flexors. Springs provide increasing resistance and support that mimics muscle contraction, but the body does most of the work. Joseph Pilates' first exercise series uses a mat and little else. Pilates originally called his methodology "Contrology," suggesting that with control of the mind, one could control the body, and have more control and independence in life.
Stott Pilates Equipment
When Moira Merrithew opened her own Pilates studio, she recruited Lindsay G. Merrithew to construct her Pilates equipment. She wanted Reformers that would fit clients of all sizes, so that the equipment could adjust to the client, rather than the other way around. The Merrithew corporation would became one of the premier manufacturers of professional Pilates equipment under the brand name Stott Pilates. For rehabilitation clients, modifications to exercises from original Pilates often use accessories such as foam rollers and fitness balls.
Benefits
Both original and Stott Pilates use precise and controlled movements to correct postural imbalances. Both forms stretch the muscles while strengthening them. Both variants of Pilates work muscles at their point of extension as well as at the point of contraction to build leaner, less bulky, muscles. Stott and original Pilates also emphasize the importance of efficient breathing. And, both methods increase body awareness.
References
- STOTT PILATES: About the STOTT PILATES Method
- "Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology"; Joseph H. Pilates and William Miller; 1998
- "The Pilates Body"; Brooke Siler; 2000
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