PILATES is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the early
20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, after whom it
was named. Pilates called his method "Contrology". It is practiced
worldwide, especially in Western countries such as Australia, Canada,
the United States and the United Kingdom.
You don't need any baseline level of skill to try Pilates. But there are
a few things you should know before you take a Pilates class so you can
get the most out of the experience. First, there are lots of different
types of Pilates, and classes can vary in intensity and format. In a
perfect world, beginners would first try Pilates on a reformer or other
piece of specialized Pilates machinery. These devices may look
intimidating, but they provide feedback that can help you understand how
you're moving your body in space. They can also help your body get into
the proper alignment and make challenging moves feel a little less
intense.