Why Pilates?
“There is no ‘supposed to be’ in bodies. The question is not size of shape or years of age, or even having two of everything, for some do not. But the wild issue is, does your body feel, does it have the right connection to pleasure, to heart, to soul, to the wild? Does it have happiness, joy? Can it in its own way move, dance, jiggle sway, thrust? Nothing else matters.”
—Women Who Run With the Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estès
Joseph Pilates developed Contrology (the modality we today recognize as Pilates) while working with injured soldiers during World War I. A former circus performer, Pilates was influenced by a post-war intellectual time in Germany that emphasized science, literature, philosophy and the arts. Trigger point therapy, yoga, breath work, meditation and dance all exerted some degree of influence over the Pilates method. Mr. Pilates was interested in an exercise method that could address physical dysfunction and injury and ultimately condition and strengthen the body.
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Though many Pilates studios today center images of almost acrobatic like feats and perfect abs, this vision of Pilates is very far from its therapeutic roots.
It is not the approach at Lotta Pilates.
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Pilates is not intended to look a certain way, Instead, the joy and genius of Pilates is how it feels internally and the strength and resilience it builds in your body.
My “rolling like a ball” logo is emblematic of a lot of what I cherish about Pilates: a combination of precision and control where rolling and extension are combined with articulation and stability, but also a moment of play and often laughter.
At Lotta Pilates, I teach classical Pilates aligned with the original vision of the method, intended to help you build the strength you need to keep doing the things you love. I teach beginners and intermediate students. My approach is methodical and centered on what your body needs to improve length, strength and alignment. In all my classes, I strive to tailor my teaching to the body in front of me. It is recommended that you attend 2-3 classes a week for maximum benefits.