Our Mission: To create a positive change to each individual through the principles of Pilates. Pilates will give you the gift of concentration, centering, control and coordination. It will connect you with your mind and body.

Beginner or expert... The Yoga Room welcomes you!!! It won't be long before you are a part of our community. The atmosphere here is relaxed and comfortable, never intimidating. All students share a common focus: the desire to enjoy themselves while exercising for better health, better fitness and better self-esteem. Our goal is to make your workouts as fun and productive as possible.

Pilates Benefits

• Flatten, tone & strengthen abs
• Develop longer, leaner muscles
• Improve posture
• Prevent injury
• Increase circulation & relieve tension
• Enhance body awareness
• Balance strength with flexibility
• Heighten concentration
• Enhance athletic performance
• Boost self-esteem

To learn more about Pilates, please visit the Pilates wiki and the Pilates Method Alliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a system of controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body. It blends strength and flexibility training that improves posture, reduces stress and creates long, lean muscles without bulking up. Pilates is based on working several muscle groups simultaneously through smooth, continuous motion, with a particular concentration on strengthening and stabilizing the core.

It focuses on the quality of the movement rather than the quantity. In doing so, you feel invigorated after a session. Pilates takes a balanced approach so that no muscle group is overworked and the body works as an efficient, holistic system in sport and daily activity. Pilates exercises can be performed on a mat or on specialized equipment.

What are the benefits of Pilates?

Pilates is a great system of exercise. It can be adapted to meet the needs of all ages and fitness levels. It incorporates proper posture, breathing and results in complete body awareness. Pilates stretches muscles, strengthens your body and mind by using a series of fluid, controlled movements that engage your mind and your body. Pilates exercises emphasize strength and flexibility.

With regular committed Pilates workouts you can expect to:

• Flatten, tone & strengthen abs
• Develop longer, leaner muscles without bulk
• Improve posture
• Prevent injury
• Enhance body awareness
• Balance strength with flexibility
• Heighten concentration
• Enhance athletic performance
• Boost self-esteem
• Challenge deep abdominal muscles to support the core
• Improve strength, flexibility and balance
• Reduce stress, relieve tension
• Create a stronger, more flexible spine
• Improve the way your body looks and feels

What age group benefits from Pilates?

Pilates can be beneficial for virtually all ages, fitness levels and body conditions.

What is better, mat or equipment Pilates exercises?

The fundamental Pilates workout can be performed on a Pilates mat alone and great results can be achieved through beginner, intermediate and advanced moves. However, the various equipment pieces such as the Reformer and Cadillac incorporate light spring resistance that works muscles to safely sculpt, tone and stretch the muscles. Smaller Pilates equipment pieces such as therabands, exercise balls also provide an element of variety and focus to a Pilates workout. Each session offers variety so that no two workouts are alike.

What is the difference between apparatus work and mat work?

In mat work, your main resistance is the weight of your own body against gravity. On the apparatus, the varied weight of several springs helps mitigate the effects of gravity. The springs can be used to increase or decrease the challenge of work or even to work a completely different set of muscles. There are basic, intermediate and advanced exercises in both modes of work. Adding an apparatus workout to your mat classes will allow for more variety in your exercise program, as well as a more specific way of conditioning muscle groups for better toning and to prevent injury in other forms of exercise.

Do men benefit from Pilates?

A man created Pilates! Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He suffered a range of conditions throughout his childhood including rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. He continued his fitness technique where he worked with the Police Force before being drafted into the army. He later moved to America where he set up his first exercise studio in New York. By the early 1960's, Pilates had many of New York's finest dancers among his clients.

Men generally have less flexibility and a greater degree of upper body strength than women do. Pilates helps to create longer muscles that are more agile, as well as strengthen the core and lower body.

How many times per week should I practice?

We encourage that you do Pilates on a regular basis, as clients who do it most frequently notice the results the fastest. We recommend doing Pilates three to four times a week for better results. At the same time, we recognize that your life is busy and that a one session a week is better than none.

What should I wear?

We recommend wearing comfortable breathable clothing. Please keep in mind not to wear anything baggy as the instructor will need to keep an eye on proper alignment and movement. Shoes are not worn. Going barefoot is common.

What if I have more questions?

Please don't hesitate to contact our Pilates Director, Jessica.  Her email address is: jessica@the-yoga-room.com.