Walsh Pilates Studio of Baton Rouge

Why Walsh Pilates

How about a lifestyle change that will not only slenderize your body, but will make you feel and look like a new person inside and out. Pilates is a lifestyle that any person young or old, weak or strong can incorporate into their life. The benefits of doing Pilates are life changing.

Walsh Pilates Studio is located in Towne Center at Cedar Lodge, which is in the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We provide Pilates Lessons, Pilates Certification Courses, and High-End Active Wear. Our clients rely on our highly experienced Pilates Instructors to know and fix their individual weaknesses and problem areas. Our Certified Pilates Instructors are trained to work with every single body type. It is never too late to add this amazing form of exercise to your life.

If you are interested in looking at Pilates as a career, we provide professional Pilates Certification Programs at our studio. Our certification courses will set instructors up for success. We offer mat certification courses and also comprehensive courses that include all of the studio equipment including Reformer, Cadillac, Chairs, and Barrels. Our courses teach you how to teach Pilates as a professional.

Pilates Benefits

The benefits of practicing Pilates are endless. Not only does Pilates strengthen and tone your entire body, but it greatly improves flexibility After your session, you will feel like you have worked and stretched the entire body. You will be light on your feet and feel long and lean. The postural benefits are wonderful. You can correct wrong postures by learning how to work and hold yourself from your core muscles. You will feel a difference after just one session.

What is Pilates

Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who was born near Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880, developed the Pilates system of exercise. During the 1920’s, Joseph Pilates developed a series of exercises that used various pieces of equipment, however his original work was based on 34 mat work movements. The original work was called “Contrology”. Today, we just call it “Pilates”, but with the same focus on improving health and vitality through better posture, body mechanics, correct breathing, and spinal flexibility.

We refer to Pilates as a mind-body system of exercise. It has attracted many Hollywood celebrities, as well as top models, dancers, and athletes. They have all reaped the benefits, however almost anyone of any age and level of fitness can do Pilates. The exercises are gentle and designed to put as little strain on the body as possible.

Pilates can and does improve your overall health. The exercises are very effective for helping to tone the muscles and achieve a longer, leaner look, without creating bulk. They will help you to reduce stress and beat fatigue, as well as build up your self-confidence and heighten your sense of well-being.

You will start to look and feel great, and move with grace and balance, that comes from improved coordination and greater muscle flexibility. Pilates exercises have been designed to work the muscles of the body as efficiently as possible in the minimum amount of time. Some of the benefits of Pilates are a sculpted, strong, and toned body, improved posture and balance, improved energy throughout the day, and better concentration. These are just to name a few.

Pilates Principals

Pilates Principals start with Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow.

Centering
The first principle reflects the Pilates concept of the Powerhouse. Pilates considers the center of the body to be the abdomen, back, and buttocks, and considers all movement to originate from that center. To “center” during any exercise is to become aware of the alignment of the body and to use the Powerhouse as the initiator of the movement – drawing the abdomen in and up before moving the limbs.

Concentration
Since Pilates is mind-body exercise, it can’t be performed half-heartedly. The second Pilates principle calls for full attention to and awareness of the entire body. It is this principle that can make a basic exercise challenging and effective for even an advanced student.

Control
Control is vital for safety as well as effectively transforming the body. Most Pilates exercises do not use momentum; those that do, like rolling and jumping exercises, are still performed with complete control. While students are building strength it is often necessary to limit the range of motion and speed of each exercise, so this principle can build humility and sober judgment as well as physical control.

Precision
In its ideal form, Pilates is practiced with precise attention to detail. Movements should be purposeful, clean, and integrated; parts of the body that are still should be absolutely still, while parts that are moving move with clarity.

Breath
Like many forms of mind-body exercise, Pilates has a breathing focus. Some exercises have specific breath patterns, while others require steady breathing – but all should use the breath to keep the mind and body focused and energized. Traditionally, Pilates practitioners breathe in and out through the nose.

Flow
Whether performing a set sequence of exercises on the mat , Reformer, Cadillac, Chairs, or any other apparatus, the Pilates practitioner aims to flow both within and between exercises. Seamless transitions, smooth movements, and a never-ending sense of reaching for length and scooping for depth all help to create a true Pilates flow.