Amiyah Golden
Words by Amiyah Golden
Contrary to what you may think (and what I used to think), Pilates doesn’t require you to be a socialite or an elite petite athlete. All you need is an open mind and a body willing to move!
I wanted to understand the hype surrounding pilates. With social media being a constant influence in my ever-changing hobbies, my new hyperfixation has now been set around the viral fitness practice. It was now my duty to find a studio in Jacksonville!
Somewhere that met a few of my parameters: inclusive, not overly priced and beginner friendly. I had found the perfect place, Everbalance, a studio that offers not only Pilates but also yoga and barre. At Everbalance you are offered a special that allows you to take two private sessions with an instructor and a group class for a great price. I took the group class option and was surrounded by a plethora of different bodies, ages, and genders — I felt safe. Inclusive and price conscious were checked, now it was time to explore the reactivity of my body to
Pilates.
I was greeted by the owner, Tetyana and instructor, Nikole. Both educated me on the history of Pilates and the benefits. I was surprised to find out that Pilates was created by a man, Joseph Pilates. With a harrowing life-story and a period of time as an internee during World War I, the German-born citizen refined his physical fitness skills and techniques during his time as a prisoner. Immigrating to New York City with his wife in the 1920s, Pilates applied his techniques to ballerinas, and those who were hospitalized. The practice of Pilates was first referenced as “contrology” and spread throughout the city for its various benefits.
With all these various outlets when it comes to fitness, I spoke to Tetyana and Nikole about how Pilates differed from other exercises. Nikole emphasized that yoga was rooted in spirituality — even though for some people, Pilates also serves as a spiritual pathway because of the focus on breaths.
“Pilates is how your body functions and how it is supposed to function and how it might not want to function,” said Nikole. “With Pilates you’re able to figure out how to turn on different muscles that you didn’t know how to turn on.”
Weightlifting is now quoted as the newest fitness craze. Although it is nothing new and has literally been around since the beginning of time, it is now being pushed as the most effective exercise. But, the overall incorporation of strength training is the most important factor for those who wish to tone and shed weight, and strength training is one of the major pillars in pilates.
In Pilates, you use equipment that incorporates resistance, control and slowing things down to target muscles. I was loving this history ride that Tetyana and Nikole were taking me on but, now it was time to put it into action.
I was confident. As someone who regularly workouts and a former dancer, I felt good about tackling this class but I was humbled … real fast. With the whole goal being your body’s ability to control the action, I was being forced to work the most minuscule of muscles. I had to rely on every part of my body to control the tension. But with the guidance of an amazing instructor, I was guided on proper form and technique to target the correct muscle groups.
After the class my body felt worked but also was met with a sweet feeling of relief.
I would 100% take another Pilates class and I am now recommending it to everyone.
So if you really want to open your mind, learn control, concentrate and flow then Pilates might just be for you.
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