THE TRUE DIFFERENCE
UNIQUELY ORIGINAL THE INSTRUCTOR THE STUDIO THE TRUE METHOD
CUSTOMIZED WORKOUTS
PERSONAL GOALS PILATES FOR MEN CORE CONDITIONING HEALTH BENEFITS PAIN MANAGEMENT
ATHLETES
LIFESTYLERS v WEEKEND WARRIORS SPORTS DANCERS
PILATES TEACHER TRAINING
ABOUT THE PROGRAM ROMANA'S PILATES CERTIFICATION INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONTINUING EDUCATION
JOSEPH PILATES
ABOUT JOE ROMANA, THE MASTER TEACHER
LESSONS / RATES
NEW TO PILATES SESSION INFO PRICING
FAQ's
IN THE KNOW COMMON QUESTIONS DEBUNKING MYTHS

CUSTOMIZED WORKOUTS

ATHLETES

ATHLETES

COMPETITIVE TRAINING
vs
FITNESS FOR HEALTH

The Differences is Health

Staying fit is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. People usually turn to playing sports as a means of fitness. They consider the high intensity, cardio work, resulting exhaustion and muscle soreness as being an indicator of a good and thorough workout. But it's important to note a very crucial distinction between workout and play.

There are 2 main types of athletic/active people:
    1) The Competetive Athlete - who's job it is to train with the focus on competition
    2) The Average Joe/Jane - who works in one field and enjoys an active life via sports activities, etc.
Distinguishing, embracing and appreciating which one you are is critical to understanding how to work out correctly, in a balanced manner that will benefit your body rather than adding to the wear-and-tear factors of aging.

Form & Activity

Form = Specific Technique for a Specific Activity

Having "proper form" is a relative concept based on the activity in which your participating. It varies with each sport and alters to create the most effective outcome and with minimal regard for muscle balance. Think lifted shoulders for better volleyball passing platform, wide stance for defensive balance in martial arts or basketball, etc.

Activity = Sport, Leisure, Competitive

Activities are designed to entertain, most often providing increased heart rate, cardio and high intensity muscular. They are known to compromise and often imbalance the body through overuse of limited sets of muscles. Fatigue and lactic acid build up are common consequences.

Alignment & Exercise

Alignment = Symmetry, Anatomy Consideration, Pain Reduction, Injury Prevention

Alignmnent, evening out the bones to be symmetric, is consistent, universal and essential to prevent wear-and-tear type injuries. In Pilates we all exercises adhere to the alignment of the hip-to-hip, shoulder-to-shouler, and their relationships. This is known as "The Box" and it guides the method to keep the the movements within the joints to minimize injury.

Exercise = Muscular Strength, Health, Balance

We exercise with the intention to maintain health. We work to strengthen our weaknesses to bring balance to our muscles and our body. Working within alignment returns balance to the body.

"...we do not give our bodies the care that our well-being deserves." - Joseph Pilates

SPORTS SPORTS

Next Level Training

A Stronger Core for Stronger Performance


Pilates can give you longevity to play your favorite sport. Undo the damage caused by muscle imbalance, maintain spine and limb flexibility to prevent sport-related injuries so you can do what you love.

Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL

Common Issues:
Neck & Shoulder pain from shrugging technique. Arching of lower back and sprinting lateral movement which tightens the hip flexors and misaligns knees. One-sided repetative twisting unevenly develops the back muscles.

Pilates Benefits:
Balance shoulder-supporting back muscles while opening the chest. Work your center back into balance. Teach to to be lighter on your feet to improve quickness and defensive abilities.

Running

RUNNING

Common Issues:
Running on a hard or uneven surfaces impacts the lower back and knees. Continuous repetative movement with compacting pressure tightens the the hip flexors, the calves, shins, ankle joints and shortens the achilles. The whole body tightens from compression.

Pilates Benefits:
Pilates' lengthening approach returns the core muscles back into a lifting tendency to decompress the spine and alleviate joint pressure. Decrease racing time & increase distance by running lighter. The principle of "Breath" supports blood circulation to keep your muscles moving with less fatigue.

Basketball

BASKETBALL

Common Issues:
Sudden sprinting & stopping movements with low hovering and open stance with bursting jumps impacts the lower body: legs, knee alignment, shins, tightens calves and strains the lower back.

Pilates Benefits:
Pilates' principles of "Concentration," "Precision," and "Control" will increase your coordination. "Centering" will stabilize your core/center-of-gravity and allow for quick changes to direction, horizontally and vertically. "Flow" will make you more agile and quicker on the court.

Biking

CYCLING

Common Issues:
Increased neck tension from hunching over while looking up for a lengthened amount of time in a stagnant torso position. Tightened hip flexors, quads & hamstrings increase from the cycling movement in a crouched position

Pilates Benefits:
Realign and elongate your neck/spine through "Centering." Lengthen and open your hip flexors through various planes of movement.

"To neglect one's body for any other advantage in life is the greatest of follies." - Schopenhauer

DANCERS DANCERS

Classical Training, Contemporary Life

It is no coincidence that dancers are drawn towards the Pilates method. From the start dancers are trained into a specific discpline: to connect and control their bodies in very demanding positions and movements. Unfortunately they also have a reputation of beating their bodies and are known to have some of the worst injuries, often ignoring pain in order to maintain a performance or goal.

Balance is the central element of dancing. The body naturally has imbalances which can become worse with time if not addressed. Fortunately Pilates not only helps bring balance to the body but it also improves proper form and increases flexibility of the limbs giving you a better turnout, always a bonus for dancers.