elevates the spirit." Joseph Pilates Often called a "moving meditation," because of the incredible focus of mind on the body, Pilates is a non-impact exercise system that emphasizes alignment and body awareness. Done regularly, Pilates exercises can change people's bodies, helping them sculpt muscles and improving flexibility. It helps practitioners develop unmatched core strength, and optimal posture. It helps to improve breathing and increasesefficiency of movement. Pilates exercises focus on the "powerhouse," or the stabilizing muscles of the torso, which support the spine. True for exercises performed both on the mat and the apparatus, every movement one does in a Pilates workout emanates from the core, keeping practitioners "honest," by gently forcing them to use both sides of the body symmetrically. In order to successfully initiate and achieve a movement, both sides have to participate equally, giving the dominant, overused muscles a break, and demanding that the "weaker" underutilized muscles have an opportunity to participate, hence, literally balancing the body. Pilates is based on six principles which enable you to learn to move with maximum efficiency while minimizing stress on the body:Centering: Strengthening the powerhouse and "corset" muscles of the body, which include the abdominals, pelvis, buttocks and back.Concentration: Bringing one's full attention to the form and execution of each exercise.Control: Engaging the mind to unite with the body to economize movement (i.e. learning to use only the muscles necessary to perform a task, while the rest of the body relaxes).Precision: Employing the notion that every movement has a purpose, resulting in a "less is more," and "quality over quantity" philosophy. When a movement is performed well a few times, there is no need to do more.Breath: Moving in tandem with the breath, resulting in enhanced lung capacity, overall coordination and facilitating a stronger mind-body connection.Flow: Every movement in a Pilates exercise is performed with the grace and ease of a dancer.Because Pilates is gentle and challenging at the same time, it is safe and effective for nearly everyone, irrespective of age or fitness ability, from expectant mothers to the super fit. It is also a phenomenal cross-training tool, helping you to maximize the sports and activities you love the most. Many professional athletes turn to Pilates when they want to bring their best, and the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil regularly trains on the Pilates apparatus to perform their awe-inspiring feats. The medical community also recognizes Pilates as a modality that assists with physical therapy. Pilates work is often incorporated into conventional therapy to facilitate healing and protect clients from future injury. It's so beneficial, in fact, that many people continue with a Pilates regime long after they have healed from their injuries. Pilates also offers tremendous benefit and relief for people who suffer from chronic conditions, such as arthritis and asthma. Because every exercise involves deep, diaphragmatic breathing, Pilates aids specifically in opening the lungs, helping shallow breathers learn how to breathe properly and build respiratory stamina. Pilates enhances circulatory function and builds the muscles that surround the joints, providing a new support, and simultaneously lubricating the joints, helping to reduce