What is Pilates?
The Pilates Method of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. It was originally used as a rehabilitation program for prisoners of war and was later found to be of great benefit to the dance and performing arts population. Traditional Pilates exercises are undertaken usually lying on a mat or on a special machine, with a strong emphasis on breathing, abdominal (tummy) muscle work and stretching.

What is a Reformer?
A Reformer is an apparatus that allows exercise to be done with finely-tuned resistance (see photos to the left). It allows exercises to be done supervised, from very early in the recovery phase from injury as the load can be adjusted to be very low or very high as required. Patients usually find the Reformer exercises easier to do than the mat-based exercises. The Fitness Reformer at Cahir Physiotherapy was developed in Australia by physiotherapists for maximum safety and adjustability. Reformer sessions are available on a one-on-one basis or as part of a physiotherapy treatment session.

What is Clinical or Rehabilitation Pilates?
The Clinical Pilates programme has been developed by physiotherapists to refine the original work of Joseph Pilates to improve its safety and highlight the components that are most valid in injury diagnosis and management. It is a more individualised method, with specific types of exercise depending on the type of problem. It places less emphasis on stretching, and less emphasis on forced exhalation. It involves lower load exercises than the traditional method and uses high numbers of repetitions to help the client allow the movements to become automatic. Since its inception in the 1990’s it has gained growing acceptance with sports medicine and spinal medicine. It is not ‘the be-all and end-all’ of exercise but it is a useful and effective technique to improve the musculo-skeletal system of the body.

Mat-based Pilates
Exercises are undertaken lying on the stomach or on the back on a mat and sometimes in standing. Rehabilitation Pilates classes at Cahir Physiotherapy involve mat-based Pilates only. The mat exercises are adaptable to any individual’s needs, and it is nice to focus on learning the basics correctly without having to get friendly with new exercise equipment at the same time. The mat exercises will help you quickly gain a lot of confidence as you can practice easily at home.

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