STOTT PILATES has many benefits over other resistance exercises:

• Pilates is three-dimensional (i.e. exercises can be performed using all movement planes);
• Spring resistance more closely resembles muscular contraction;
• Pilates places emphasis on concentric/eccentric contraction for injury prevention;
• STOTT PILATES exercise is customizable for special needs;
• In pilates exercise, emphasis is placed on rebalancing muscles around the joints;
• Pilates corrects over-training and muscle imbalance that lead to injury;
• Pilates emphasizes balancing strength with flexibility (for injury prevention and more efficient movement);
• STOTT PILATES exercise leads to an improvement in posture and body awareness.

The average active person doing 2-3 classes per week should see some results within 10-12 classes. This will vary depending on each individual and other factors such as the number of classes a person takes each week, whether they are private or group classes, whether they participate in other physical activities, and whether they have any existing injuries.

Although you should always consult your physician before starting any fitness routine, a Pilates workout is gentle and controlled with no sudden jarring actions. It is therefore more important that you work with a qualified instructor to ensure that you are doing the movements correctly. An experienced instructor will be able to modify the exercises to accommodate your limitations, continually challenge you within your range and monitor your improvements. If you commit yourself to a consistent workout schedule you will certainly feel results.

STOTT PILATES exercise is a musculo-skeletal conditioning program. In combination with some kind of cardiovascular exercise (walking, running, aerobics, aqua fitness etc.), it's all you need. People who reach advanced levels can elevate their heart rate with STOTT PILATES Power Paced workouts.

In some respects pilates conditioning is like yoga. Both are considered mind-body type methods of movement; both emphasize deep breathing and smooth, long movements that encourage your muscles to relax and lengthen. The difference is that while yoga requires moving from one static posture to the next without repetitions, pilates flows through a series of movements that are more dynamic, systematic and anatomically-based. The goal with STOTT PILATES exercises is to achieve optimal functional fitness.

STOTT PILATES can help

• Develop longer, leaner muscles (less bulk, more freedom of movement)
• Improve postural problems
• Increase core strength/stability and peripheral mobility
• Prevent injury
• Enhance functional fitness and ease of movement
• Balance strength & flexibility
• Heighten body awareness
• Improve performance in sports (golf, skiing, skating, etc.)
• Improve balance, coordination & circulation

STOTT PILATES is no-impact, so it's easy on the joints.   Programs can be can be customized to suit everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes.  STOTT PILATES can complement other methods of exercise.

STOTT PILATES improves core strength and balances the muscles around the joints, improving the way your body functions, looks and feels.  It focuses specifically on

• Breathing
• Pelvic placement
• Rib-cage placement
• Scapular movement
• Head & cervical spine placement

Developed by former professional dancer Moira Merrithew, with input from sports medicine professionals, STOTT PILATES is a contemporary, anatomically-based approach to Joseph Pilates' original exercise method. Its exercises safely deliver optimal strength, flexibility and endurance, without adding bulk. This stress-relieving method can be performed on a mat or using dedicated STOTT PILATES equipment.

Unlike the original series of exercises, STOTT PILATES incorporates modern exercise principles, including contemporary thinking about spinal rehabilitation and performance enhancement. For example, unlike the original approach, which promotes a flat back, STOTT PILATES exercises are designed to restore the natural curves of the spine and rebalance the muscles around the joints. They also place more emphasis on scapular stabilization. As well, there are more preparatory exercises and modifications to make the method safer and more effective.

You can expect an increase in flexibility, mobility, balance, and body awareness, as well as a decrease in back pain or other general pains.

Mat-based workouts are very convenient and can be done anywhere. However, a mat workout will provide no added resistance. A reformer workout, on the other hand, will add resistance to your routine and can correct muscular imbalances better than a matwork routine would.

Much of pilates exercise is mind-body conditioning which requires you to look within, focus on your breathing, and feel the subtle differences within your body. Many people come to a very meditative state while doing pilates, and therefore will grow mentally and spiritually over time through this type of exercise. There are also incidences where by strengthening the abdominal muscles people have learned to maintain their stretch and thereby are measurably taller.

Physically, many people have been known to actually get taller by working out consistently. By emphasizing posture, you learn to stretch your spine through pilates, and by strengthening the deep abdominals to support the rest of the body you learn to maintain your height effortlessly. The most impressive results are those reported by people who have slouched most of their lives and after a few months of practicing pilates they are able to stand up much straighter, and are therefore measurably taller. Even people who have studied dance consistently for years before beginning a pilates program have noticed an increase in their height over time.