Pilates By The Bay (Pilates) | 25 W. Water St. B3, Toms River, NJ

Pilates (pi-LAH-teez) is a program of exercise and movement that will stretch, strengthen and balance the entire body. It was named after its creator Joseph H. Pilates and has been practiced in the United States since the 1920's. The Pilates Method consists of exercises that can be done on a mat or on a variety of equipment that Joseph created to help accelerate the improvements in strength, flexibility and alignment.

"The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit."

Pilates can accomodate and help improve almost any injury or chronic pain condition by stretching tight musles around the injury or pain, re-aligning the body and building muscle strength to support proper alignment.

Pilates is well-suited for all abilities from 'out-of-shape' beginners to conditioned athletes. The method is taught in either private sessions or semi-private classes to students of similar experience and abilities.

Exercises should be performed with just the amount of effort needed, no more, no less. Releasing unnecessary tension in our bodies helps us find ease and flow in our movements.

Pilates integrates movement into a flowing whole body experience and integrates the mind and body to create a life balance.

Movements are done with a sense of rhythm and flow that decreases stress on our joints and develops movement patterns that integrate our whole body.

Understanding, developing and maintaining correct alignment and form to improve posture and enhance physical abilities.

Understanding proper form and placement and performing exercises with efficiency. Precision is the end product of concentration, control and practice.

All movements radiate outward from the center. We work towards developing a strong, stable and flexible center.

To understand and maintain the proper form, alignment and effort during the entire exercise. Students must engage the mind to control the movements of the body.

To be present and pay attention to the movements. Students should only do as many repetitions as they can pay attention to.

The essential link between mind and body. The breath is integrated into our movements to keep our awareness, improve oxygen flow through the tissues and improve capacity of our lunges.