-Story by Lauren Edwards Photography by Lia Crowe

Trying Pilates for the first time, I donB次元官网网址檛 know what to expect, but I like the sound of instructor Melanie OB次元官网网址機onnorB次元官网网址檚 philosophy: B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 get a good workout, letB次元官网网址檚 do it safely and letB次元官网网址檚 mix it up a little bit.B次元官网网址�

As the owner of Benvenuto Pilates, Melanie has a studio that lies in a richly forested area of Brentwood Bay. A serene setting envelops her studio and Japanese-style home. Natural light from a soaring skylight illuminates the studio space, including a series of large mirrors that line the walls. The environment is warm and welcoming for long-time Pilates enthusiasts, as well as newcomers like me.

MelanieB次元官网网址檚 classes cater to a range of ages B次元官网网址� from high-school-aged youth to adults in their 70s B次元官网网址� who look to Pilates for a number of benefits

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a variety,B次元官网网址� Melanie says. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e here to improve their physical health, their stamina, their strength and flexibility. Often, theyB次元官网网址檙e looking for some posture alignment.B次元官网网址�

This class will consist of Mat Pilates B次元官网网址� toning movements done on the floor to learn to control muscles B次元官网网址� and Equipment Pilates, which uses a special apparatus to add resistance to the repertoire of lessons.

IB次元官网网址檓 shown to a piece of equipment called a Reformer; it has supports, straps, springs for resistance, and a bar and a carriage that is pushed back and forth. ItB次元官网网址檚 a Medieval-looking mechanism that seems intimidating at first, but after a clear demonstration, quickly becomes easy to work with.

The Reformer was invented by Joseph Pilates B次元官网网址� the B次元官网网址渇atherB次元官网网址� of Pilates B次元官网网址� who was a boxer and self-defence teacher around the time of World War I. German-born, Joseph lived in England and was forced into an internment camp during the war. Denied access to a gym, he continued his passion for physical therapy with what was available: bed springs, beer kegs, boxes and the floor. Joseph utilized the bed springs as a form of resistance for his movements, practicing with the ancient GreekB次元官网网址檚 idea developing body, mind and spirit. The movements caught on among other detainees and ultimately helped improve their strength as well.

In 1925, Joseph immigrated to New York and opened his own studio. Integrating his self-taught studies of Buddhism and Zen, he trained elite athletes, dancers and other New Yorkers. Joseph called his methods B次元官网网址淐ontrology,B次元官网网址� defined as the art of controlling muscles. In 2011, the American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine advocated for the benefits of the Pilates technique, saying there is strong evidence that it improves flexibility and dynamic balance, and moderate evidence that it enhances muscular endurance.

B次元官网网址�

Today, many places teach JosephB次元官网网址檚 methods, including West Coast Pilates where Melanie completed an internationally recognized Stott Pilates Essential and Intermediate Matwork course in June of 2017, followed by the Essential and Intermediate Reformer Instructor course early last year.

Melanie has practiced Pilates since 2008, and her interest in teaching it was sparked when her daughter fell ill and Reformer Pilates classes became part of her recovery.

Following in the steps of Joseph Pilates, Melanie is also a self-defence teacher, using her studio space for non-combat martial art cardio classes as well as Pilates.

The precisely formed poses use balance and coordination B次元官网网址� two things I thought I would need for Pilates. But I find that my body embraces the poses with the help of the equipment, and I achieve strengths that B次元官网网址攕urprisingly B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 able to carry for the entire class. The support helps the exercises flow easily into the next, including a Pilates-specific maneuver called the 100s.

B次元官网网址淲hat I like most about Pilates is the variety of the exercises that are available for the client, and being able to offer different options in classes, so that the exercises donB次元官网网址檛 get stale B次元官网网址� stay challenging and exciting, and also provide a full body workout,B次元官网网址� Melanie says, adding, B次元官网网址淚 prefer a class that has some variety, where the clients are able to try something new or progress to the next level of that exercise.B次元官网网址�

The quietness within the studio creates an environment ideal for mental clarity and the ability to focus on breathing without outside distractions. Breathing in a similar rhythm to yoga, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through pursed lips, creates B次元官网网址渁 connection to what your body is able to do,B次元官网网址� says Melanie. B次元官网网址淚t affects your overall well-being, your posture, the way you carry yourself.B次元官网网址�

Karen, a fellow classmate who has attended Pilates classes twice a week for the past few months, has B次元官网网址渁lready noticed a difference,B次元官网网址� she says, adding that she feels as though she B次元官网网址渨alks differently now.B次元官网网址�

Joseph Pilates was known for possessing a young manB次元官网网址檚 vitality even as he reached his 80s. Perhaps someone aspiring for a similar goal could look to Pilates.

Click here for more information about .