Joseph Pilates had his own physical transformation in mind when he developed his signature exercise technique. As the victim of numerous illnesses, young Joe was no stranger to chronic pain. His exercise plan transformed him from sickly child to super athlete. Unlike yoga and general stretching exercise, Pilates will not alleviate post-workout muscle soreness, but it might correct the problems that cause it in the first place.
Core Activity
Each Pilates movement corresponds to a specific breathing pattern, which encourages deep abdominal muscle support throughout both phases of the exercise. This core muscle engagement, which Pilates called "the powerhouse," trains your deeper abdominal muscles to work hard while your neck and back muscles relax. Your core muscles are designed to support your spinal column. When they activate and do their job, your back and neck muscles get relief from the task of supporting your body.
Precision and Control
The method of exercise execution inspired Pilates to name his technique "Contrology." None of the Pilates exercises use momentum. Instead, each exercise must adhere to the basic Pilates principles, which include precision, conscious movement, control and fluidity. The Pilates exercise technique does more than change the way you exercise -- it enhances your entire movement style. If your daily movements tend toward jerkiness and lack of control, you probably suffer from frequent muscle soreness. Altering your general movement style might reduce this soreness.
Postural Alignment
To pass their certification exam, Pilates instructors must endure hours of training in postural analysis. Since they perform this training by analyzing the posture of their peers -- a group of fitness professionals who usually have greater postural awareness than the average office worker -- they develop a keen sense of the subtleties of postural misalignment. Faulty posture causes muscle imbalances, which in turn create pain-inducing movement mechanics. The Pilates method improves your spinal alignment, thereby enhancing your spinal disks' ability to absorb shock. Your Pilates instructor uses her detection skills to determine whether misalignment caused the muscle imbalance, or the muscle imbalance caused the misalignment.
Muscle Imbalances
Muscular imbalances trigger dysfunctional movement patterns that minimize your sense of balance, precision and control. When your certified Pilates instructor analyzes your posture, she identifies the misalignment and muscle imbalances that lead to chronic muscle soreness. The Pilates system of body conditioning addresses all of these potential imbalances. It features exercises for all of the imposing muscle groups, including spinal flexors and extensors, chest and back, biceps and triceps and inner and outer thighs. Your personalized Pilates program reduces chronic muscle soreness by targeting the weaker muscle groups that cause postural misalignment.
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