Classical or Contemporary Pilates

What is Contemporary Pilates

Contemporary Pilates refers to a modified version of the classical exercises that may or may not be taught in the original order. This style will also include other forms exercises that come from other movement practices such as yoga, physical therapy etc. Contemporary style equipment or apparatus has been modified from Joe’s original specifications as a route to adapting the equipment to suit the client. I have used both contemporary and classical and from experience I can say that it is much harder to understand the true intention behind the original exercises and the Pilates method as a whole on contemporary equipment, this of course may not be the reason why you are doing Pilates.

But why follow an order?

Classical Pilates is a progressive form of exercise that is taught in a specific order on the Mat and the Reformer. The order was implemented and intended by Joe; and Classical Pilates is also modified and adapted to suit the client’s abilities and needs, but without losing sight of the original intention. In a contemporary environment, and as a teacher who initially trained contemporary, the original intention for the exercises or the use of the studio equipment and props are not always clearly defined and so losing some potential benefits.

Pilates is a very unique form of exercise that is designed to work on strength and flexibility from the first to the last exercise. Joe’s order of exercises, when studied and practiced as intended appropriately warms up the body, challenges it, gets you sweating and then cools you down. Joe’s intention for each session was a full body and mind workout with the focus on working from a strong centre, your centre including abdominals both front and side and back muscles. As already mentioned this is adapted to suit the individuals needs but not losing sight of working on stamina, strength, flexibility and stability. Breath is also a very strong element of Joe’s original method.

“Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.” Joseph Pilates

What about the Studio equipment i.e. Reformer?

Within the classical environment you learn how to work all elements of the studio as a complete system with the fundamental part of the workout carried out on the Mat or Reformer. Pilates being a progressive form of exercises uses the additional pieces of equipment/apparatus such as the Cadillac, Tower/Wall unit, Wunda Chair ect. as an aid to enable the necessary development that is required to progress within the system.

Whereby not all classical studios will have every piece of equipment the same intention will be applied and adapted to what they have available to them. Classical studio’s may also offer group classes on the Wall/Tower unit or even group Reformer classes to make the classical system more accessible, once again the how and what they teach within these sessions will hold the original intentions to the exercises.

“In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference, and in 30 you’ll have a new body.” Joseph Pilates

If you would like to find out more or experience the classical Pilates system for yourself then get in touch, I am always happy to help.

Karen Eccles, Studio Founder and Pilates Expert www.pilatesfromwithin.com