Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-teez), is a body/mind practice of exercises developed by the late Joseph H. Pilates (1883-1967). Joseph was a physical trainer, circus performer, and inventor who was interned on the Isle of Man in Britain during WWI. There he developed a series of exercises and equipment to help other internees stay strong, mobile, and healthy. He immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in the 20’s and started his own studio in New York City. His method, originally called “contrology” focuses on training the entire body as an integrated system with a strong focus on the core, or “Powerhouse”.

The Pilates method can be practiced on a mat or on specialized equipment that was designed by Joseph Pilates. The practice is guided by the following principles:

• Concentration

• Centering

• Control

• Precision

• Breathing

• Flow

• Whole Body Movement

• Balanced Muscle Development

There is really only one way to really know what Pilates is all about and that is to take a series of classes to experience it yourself. It is truly a unique practice that builds strength, flexibility, balance and a deep body awareness that can help you “return to life,” in the words of Joseph Pilates.

Yes and No. Like Yoga, Pilates is a body/mind practice done on the mat (unless you are using the equipment). You may also find similar poses from Yoga showing up in your Pilates classes. However, Pilates and Yoga do not share the same history and for many, they feel quite different in the body. One of the biggest differences is Pilates’ strong focus on the core or “powerhouse”. In addition, while Pilates can uplift your spirit, it is not associated with a specific religious tradition as with Yoga. Ultimately, the best way to understand the differences, is to take a class!

When you come to a Pilates studio, you are getting more personalized attention than you will receive at a gym. Studio instructors are also highly qualified and trained with over 500 hours of certification, teaching, and observations hours. Big gyms do not make a distinction between weekend certifications and those that take up to three years to complete.

We believe that Pilates is fundamentally about technique and safety and that highly trained instructors are crucial for making sure that you enjoy the benefits of the method without worrying about your safety.

We also believe that highly trained instructors deserve a competitive wage for all of their hard work and training. At a studio, you are paying for skill, safety, and deep knowledge, and your fees support our instructors and the studio in providing this to you!

Like any exercise, Pilates challenges the body to strengthen it. And while there are exercises that you will find to be quite hard, there are also many others that you can achieve quite quickly. Your instructors are trained to provide modifications for all abilities, so that you can work your way up to more advanced exercises in a safe and effective way. Pilates is a practice- and the more you practice it the more progress you will feel!

Nope. You don’t have to have any body type to enjoy the benefits of Pilates. While Pilates can certainly change your body’s shape over time, our goal at Elemental Pilates is to use the Pilates method to help you understand how to move smarter in your body. When you move efficiently, you can improve your posture, help prevent injury, and feel better in your body.

We are excited that you are here and curious! We understand that it can be intimidating to start a new form of exercise. We invite you to come try a class, even bring a friend. Our goal is to make our classes as accessible as possible. While you may not be able to do all of the exercises at first, we offer modifications and lots of instructions for guiding you through the work. Pilates is a practice and with some upfront patience and persistence, you will feel yourself progress quite quickly.

If you are wondering which class is right for you, a Pilates “water” class is perfect for beginners with a slower pace and attention to detail. However, we welcome you to any of our classes as we offer modifications and different options in all of them. Elemental Pilates is about finding your own journey, in a welcoming and judgment-free space.

If you have an injury or other physical condition, but have been cleared by your doctor for exercise, reach out to us and we can discuss which options are best for you.

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have any spinal conditions such as stenosis, disc herniations, or scoliosis, it is important that you share this with your instructor before taking a class or private session.

If you have difficulty getting down and up from the floor, we recommend two options:

1. Take a personal session. This option allows you to use the equipment where you can work from an elevated position.

2. Take one of our chair classes. These classes offer all the benefits of exercise while seated.

When you come to one of our group mat classes, you will be spending most of your time on your mat on the floor. You can expect to be on your back, on your side, on your stomach, and on your hands and knees. All Pilates classes integrate strength, flexibility, and breath and your instructor will guide you continuously through the process. Keep in mind that your practice will be unique to you and your body so no person will practice the same.

When you sign up for a personal session, you will begin with a goal-setting session so that your instructor can better understand what you would like to work on. You will also be introduced to the studio equipment and rules for using the equipment safely. A personal session is a one-on-one guided movement session developed specifically for your goals. You will have time to work on details, ask questions, and get the most out of your session.

If you choose a duet, you will work on the Pilates reformer and other equipment along with a friend. Your instructor will guide both of you through a workout based on your skills and abilities.

Yes! Joseph Pilates invented many pieces of equipment, each designed to help different bodies improve strength, balance, and flexibility. Some pieces of equipment, like the reformer and Trapeze Table use spring tension to create resistance while others, like the spine corrector and ladder barrel use curved shapes to help develop flexibility in the spine and strength in the core. While for some, the equipment can look intimidating with springs, straps, and pedals, their goal is to give the body support and feedback to help deepen body awareness and to support the Pilates work on the mat.

Yes! We offer modifications in every class to make sure that you can work within your comfort zone. A Pilates Water class is perfect for beginning slowly with your Pilates practice. Our seated chair classes are also great for seniors with physical limitations. Contact us if you have questions about a class or where to start.

Bring your mat, a water bottle and your amazing body! (We have mats in the studio if you do not have one or forget to bring your own.)

Wear comfortable clothes without zippers or large buttons. Please also refrain from wearing strong perfumes or colognes, large hair pins, or loose jewelry. These things can easily damage our equipment. For your safety, socks are not recommended unless they are grip socks. If you need to change at the studio, we have bathrooms where you can change clothes comfortably.