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Pilates by the Bay

A Pilates studio with new state of the art Stott Pilates equipment. The studio consist of three Stott V-2 Max Plus, four Stott stability chair, a Stott Cadillac and various small equipment, to practice and master more than 500 exercises designed to uniquely balance, strengthen and stretch the entire body.

Pilates by the Bay is conveniently located in Liberty Station/NTC Promenade. Exit off Rosecrans either from Interstate 5 or the 8. The studio is literally 10 minutes from La Jolla, UTC, Pacific Beach, Clairemont and Mission Bay, Mission Hills, Kearny Mesa, Downtown and in the heart of Point Loma. The studio is 15 minutes from Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe and surrounding areas. There is ample parking in the lot across the building. From Rosecrans west, you would turn left on to Roosevelt and park in the lot on your right. Pilates by the Bay is in the same building that US Karate is located. For detailed driving directions click onto our contact link.

Pilates by the Bay offer cost effective equipment classes as well as highly personalized private lessons to meet your physical fitness needs. Pilates Equipment classes allow most people to take multiple lessons a week with a more budget friendly approach. Group classes provide a nice community atmosphere, which promotes fluidity and learning of the Pilates technique.

What is Pilates, The Benefits, The History?

What is PILATES?

Pilates is a uniquely precise and intelligent approach to body-conditioning. It is an innovative system of mind-body exercise evolved from the principles of Joseph Pilates. Pilates exercises dramatically transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs. It was originally designed for the physical rehabilitation of athletes and dancers. Targeting the deep postural muscles, Pilates builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body with slender thighs and a flat abdomen. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy movement. Pilates improves flexibility, agility and economy of motion. It builds strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment. It helps to reshape your body, which will become longer, leaner and more toned. Pilates will improve your posture as well as help you achieve the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. Pilates is a great way to relieve unwanted stress and tension. Its slow, controlled approach means that it gives much longer-term results and is especially recommended by medical specialists for those with back problems. Pilates is a gentle, non-aerobic exercise method, without stressing the joints or the heart Professional dancers have known the benefits of Pilates for decades. Top athletes use it for strength, flexibility, and injury prevention. Hollywood celebrities and supermodels use it to maintain beautiful physiques. Pilates exercise is a safe, sensible exercise system using a floor mat or equipment, that will help you look and feel your very best. No matter what your age or condition, it will work for you. Indeed, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and doctors now recommend Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise available. "  Pilates is for all levels of fitness, from beginners to advanced.

THE BENEFITS

Pilates is most notably beneficial for its core stabilization, but the work also integrates flexibility, strength, and overall toning. Focus on the detail of each movement improves concentration as well as coordination. Pilates encourages flowing movement with precision and control, eliminating the need for countless repetitions. With the proper effort, Pilates will remarkably improve body awareness. Women and men from all fitness backgrounds may benefit from the balancing effects of Pilates:

• Creates core stability, improves posture and increases energy
• Strengthens the lower back and relieves many types of back and joint pain
• Builds a stronger body with Increase balance and flexibility

• Develops a longer, leaner appearance.

• Strengthens deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, decreasing and even eliminating incontinence

• Increases bone mass guarding against Osteoporosis or Osteopenia

• Counteract the effects of osteoporosis

• Eliminate many of the typical aches and pains of age

• Improve joint alignment, preventing further degradation

• Provide bone strengthening exercise

• Develop the spinal musculature necessary to support your spine

• Achieve increased flexibility, strength and grace

• Increase bone density

• Teach you safe movement in daily activities

• Dramatically improve your posture

HISTORY OF PILATES

Joseph Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a sickly child, plagued with rickets, asthma, and rheumatic fever. His drive to overcome these ailments led to the practice of bodybuilding, gymnastics, diving and other physical pursuits. He studied Eastern and Western forms of exercise and philosophies and was greatly influenced by ancient Grecian and Roman regimens.

In 1912 Joseph Pilates traveled to England. When WW1 broke out, he along with other German nationals, were interned in a camp on the Isle of Man. While there, he taught and practiced his physical fitness program. It was in the camp that he began devising apparatus to aid in rehabilitation of the disabled and sick. Pilates is credited with assisting many who had succumbed to the influenza epidemic of that time and helping others recover from wartime diseases. After the war, Joseph Pilates returned to Germany where he was incited by the government to train the new German Army. Recognizing the implications of this, he decided to leave for America. On the way he met Clara who soon became his wife.

In 1926 Joseph Pilates and Clara set up the first Pilates studio in New York. A varied and diverse population frequented the Studio, including the elite of New York society, circus performers, gymnasts and dancers. It was particularly the dance community and luminaries such as George Balanchine, Ted Shawn, Martha Graham and many other lesser-known dancers who truly recognized the value of this work. They embraced the work and what it could do for their bodies, either for rehabilitation or for enhancing performance.

Over the course of his career, Pilates developed over 600 exercises for the various pieces of apparatus he invented. His guiding philosophy in creating the apparatus and the movements was that the "'whole" must be exercised to achieve good health. Using springs and pulleys, which create progressive resistance, the equipment helps in producing muscle contractions that simulate functional muscle action. At the same time the stabilizing muscle groups are encouraged to work isometrically to maintain correct positioning and alignment. It is important to mention that Pilates regarded his method, which he called "Controlology" as a way of life and a path to total health rather than merely a series of exercises.

It is without question that Joseph Pilates was ahead of his time. One need only look at the boom in popularity this method is experiencing, now regarded as probably the fastest growing fitness trend in America. Then consider that although he dreamed of seeing his work embraced by the general public, Pilates died a disillusioned man, little known other than by a relatively small number of people.