WHAT PILATES DOES

Pilates is a proven effective conditioning program that is appropriate for all levels of movement training.  It helps the novice mover as well as the progressed athlete grow and change.   Systematically, the method creates powerful, lean, and balanced physiques with diverse exercises that work the whole body.  Movers build awareness of muscle and postural imbalances, control form and specific actions of the joints, and refine breath involvement with body motion.  The method works all the body’s spinal mechanics as well as its large and small muscle groups.  Neurologically (and especially coupled with Z Health Performance drills) the use of the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems light up the brain.   The result is greater awareness, better posture, release of tight muscles, a stronger core, a lengthened spine and more mobile joints.  

YOUR GOALS?

Do you want to jog with more authority or have better balance on your skis?  Beyond being an overall conditioning system, Pilates can be targeted for team sport activities or individuals who want to be stronger for activities they love.  If you are a gardener or a skier, a golfer or a paddler, a hiker, biker, or a dog walker, this method can be adapted for specific needs.  It is also effective for pregnancy and post pregnancy conditioning, and it has been proven to build bone density for those with osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

FAQs FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.  Why come to Pilates at Black Oak?

Pilates at Black Oak is dedicated to high quality fitness training and to personalized attention in order to get effective results for each client.  Classes are fun and instructive too.

2.  Who is Joe Pilates, the guy who created this exercise system?

To read about the life, work, and inventions of Joe Pilates, click here.

3.  Who should go to Pilates?

Everyone from seniors wanting gentle stretching, mobility and bone building exercises to the advanced athlete seeking to improve in his or her sport.  

4.  How do I get started?  

Please contact Susie at Pilatesblackoak@gmail.com to set up a complimentary initial session. Then, use the the Introductory special (3 privates f$110) to see what Pilates can do for you in just 3 sessions. This helps you get an initial assessment of your strengths and learn the equipment and the Pilates vocabulary. Then check out the Pilates at Black Oak online schedule and reserve a place in group classes or equipment classes or set up an appointment for more Privates, or grab a friend and do a Semi-Private/Duet.   On your first day, please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to get oriented and to complete intake and release forms.

5.  How often do I come to Pilates?

Joe Pilates, the founder of the method, said that said , “You will feel better in ten sessions, look better in twenty sessions, and have a completely new body in thirty sessions.”  Practice helps you reach your goals and helps build understanding and control of the exercises.   

6.  What should I bring?

Yourself!  Pilates at Black Oak has mats, small apparatus, and all equipment for class, private, and small group sessions.

7.  What should I wear?

Wear easy fitting workout attire such as form fitting tops, T-shirts, sweat pants, tights, etc.  Classes are not taken with shoes in order to address mobility of the foot and to feel the foot as the functional center in standing exercises.  Socks are ok unless you slip.

8.  How many people are in group classes?  

All classes have a maximum of 4-6.  

9.  Why should I study Pilates privately or in duet situations?

Personal training addresses your specific goals and needs.  One-on-one situations help you learn the Pilates method efficiently while personal feedback helps you understand idiosyncrasies and rebalancing needs of your body.  Duet situations are best if you have a partner that is close to your level of fitness.

10. What is Z Health?

The minds behind Z Health Performance Solutions began with a single fascinating question: What makes the elite performers in any sport so good at what they do?  To answer that question they began an earnest deconstruction of the components of elite sports performance (picture Steven Curry, Tiger Woods, Kristi Yamaguchi, etc.) by looking at how motor learning happens in the body neurologically.  Yes, elite performers in golf, basketball, skating, football, shooting,  skiing, etc., might have a genetic pool of exceptional body composition for their sport.  Yes, these performers practice, practice, practice. But what were the components that helped every high level athlete get to that exceptional place?  

Curiosity led Dr. Cobb to develop a unique and progressive system for training athletic performance considering that everyone is an athlete whose brain fires up by activating the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems.  Susan often draws upon this  approach to help her clients achieve greater movement clarity, postural control, faster eye-hand coordination, greater range of motion, relieve pain, achieve greater sense of balance, and build overall strength.