Pilates of Vero Beach: Authentic Pilates Equipment Training

Pilates of Vero Beach provides Classical Pilates instruction which, in layman's terms, means we preserve the integrity of Joseph Pilates' lifelong work.  This method was handed down by Joseph to Romana Kryzanowska, who continued to run the studio after the death of Joseph and his wife, Clara.  The lineage continues with Bob Liekens who studied under and worked with Romana for nearly 20 years.  Bob Liekens is recognized as one of the leading authorities on Classical Pilates in the world.  Two of Pilates of Vero's instructors, Camilo Rodriguez and Eliot Foote, studied directly with Romana and Bob, while Jayne McAllister was certified under Bob after his move to Power Pilates.

"Joe Pilates didn't create things overnight.  He spent years modifying and evolving his mehtod.  So I don't see why all of a sudden we have to 'improve it'."  Bob Liekens, VP Education, Power Pilates and household name in the Pilates world.

The term Powerhouse is widely used in Classical Pilates as it was Joseph Pilates' term for what is often referred to as the "core".  In the most basic terms, the Powerhouse is the area between your bottom ribs and the top of your pubic bone, encompassing the all-important musculature of the abdominals and the lower back.  Since Powerhouse was Mr. Pilates' term and we are striving to keep his work alive, you will hear many references to the it during your sessions at Pilates of Vero Beach.

Pilates of Vero Beach offers the most authentic form of Pilates training, adhering strictly to the way Joseph Pilates intended his work to be continued.  Pilates of Vero Beach's certified instructors trained with leading classical Pilates teacher trainers, including Romana Kryzanowska, Bob Liekens and Phoebe Higgins.  All of Pilates of Vero Beach's instructors have completed fully comprehensive training programs, meaning that they have studied the full repertoire of the Pilates Method over a six- to 12-month continuous period of study.  Many "modular" training programs are available whereby teachers are trained over weekends and do not include an apprenticeship program.  However, Pilates of Vero Beach only hires instructors who are comprehensively trained and have served a minimum of six hundred hours as an apprentice.

Pilates of Vero Beach's instructors are trained to work with every "body" that walks through the door of the studio, from elite athletes to first-time clients to those recovering from chronic injury.

Not at all.  Gyms typically offer mat classes taught by "one-size-fits-all" personal trainers who have completed their training over a weekend.   Pilates of Vero Beach's instructors have completed at least 600 hours as an apprentice during training that lasts between seven and twelve months, and includes a series of grueling written and practical exams.

Pilates of Vero Beach recommends two to three times per week at the studio for best results.  We suggest supplementing your studio workouts with matwork at home and we offer guidance in setting up a home program.  Whatever your commitment to Pilates, consistency is the key to change!

Pilates of Vero Beach has clients who, owing to time or budget constraints come for one session a week.  Often, these clients are participating in other forms of exercise and they are encouraged to take their Pilates to their tennis golf, surfing etc.  Others practice mat exercises at home on the days that they are away from the studio.  In keeping with the classical Pilates tradition, Pilates of Vero Beach encourages its clients to be independent in their workout.  As master instructor Bob Liekens says, "It's not about your performance in the studio, but how you take what you've learned into your daily life."

Pilates is a workout and should be a movement experience from the very first session.  You will begin by learning to access your Powerhouse (Joseph Pilates' term for the core musculature) and to incorporate breathing before performing a series of basic exercises to introduce the Method.  Expect to work on the Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, possibly the High Chair, and the Wall.

The Pilates Method does not work muscles to fatigue because both the small and large muscle groups work in conjunction to function more efficiently.  Clients usually feel energized after their sessions, experience better posture and awareness of their Powerhouse muscles.

Even after their first session, many clients become more aware of their posture because of their newly-found Powerhouse connection.  As a result, they walk taller which takes inches off the waistline.  Weak abs are the primary cause of poor posture so increasing awareness will make you look and feel better fast.  Remember, consistency is the key to change!

Pilates is performed on special equipment designed by Joseph Pilates.  For safety reasons, familiarity with the equipment is essential before advancing to semi-private sessions.  Secondly, you'll reap far more from your workout if you have familiarity with the exercises and how to access the Powerhouse.  Finally, in a semi private session, the instructor has to divide his or hertime fairly between all participants; a new client necessitates and deserves the teacher's full attention. 

Pilates is a lifetime journey.  Even instructors are constantly learning more and focusing on improving their techniques, which is why most of them work out with other instructors.  Pilates of Vero Beach's sessions are always conducted by an instructor to optimize form, technique and results.

It's wonderful that mass media has made Pilates more available.  However there is no replacement for working with a comprehensively trained, classical Pilates instructor whose first concern is your safety, while focusing on form, alignment and the Powerhouse connection.

Joseph Pilates began creating his exercises for his own body to cure himself of rickets and asthma.  In his early career, Mr. Pilates was involvved primarily in training men, including the presitigious Scotland Yard police in London and the Hamburg Military Police in his native Germany.  When he moved to New York, Mr. Pilates opened his studio in a building that housed rehearsal spaces for dancers and actors, which resulted in the close association of Pilates with that community and the misconception that Pilates is for dancers, particularly women.  At this point, Joseph was nearly 50 years old and he had only just started working with women...

At Pilates of Vero Beach, our male clients include golfers, boxers, triathletes, marathon runners together with amateur and professional world-class surfers.  Simply put, Joseph Pilates' exercises were designed by a man for men.  Thankfully, women are reaping the benefits too.

Anyone can do Pilates!   With over 500 exercises in the Method, a workout can be tailored to meet your requirements.  Our classically certified instructors are rigorously trained to work with special populations, including chronic back, neck and knee injuries; hip replacements; scoliosis and obesity.  Jayne McAllister, Pilates of Vero Beach's owner, was trained by a chiropractor and devoted extensive time to the study of functional anatomy and chronic conditions.

Initally Pilates is performed slowly with an emphasis on alignment and working from the core.  As you move into the Intermediate repertoire, the work begins to flow, resulting in a more cardiovascular workout.  At all levels, you start to build muscle, which burns more calories than fat.  Plus, you'll see changes in your body that will make you look slimmer.  If you have a significant weight loss goal (over 15 pounds), we recommend combining Pilates with diet and cardiovascular exercise in the beginning.  Obviously results will vary from person to person.  "In one month of coming to Pilates, I have lost 14 pounds and 22 inches.  I have cut "bad carbohydrates" from my diet, but Pilates is the only exercise program I have undertaken.  I fully attribute the ratio of inches to pounds lost to my Pilates program."  Mary E, client.

Pilates of Vero Beach offers pre-natal Pilates to existing clients.  Pregnant women should be cautious about beginning new exercise programs.  Please call Pilates of Vero Beach to discuss your options with a certified instructor.  "I continually thank my Pilates classes for giving me the physical strength and the breathing control to get through labor without medication."  Kirs W, client.

At Pilates of Vero Beach, we recommend form-fitting clothes so that the instructor can see your abdominal area.  For women, yoga pants are the best option.  Short, loose shorts are not practical for Pilates, please wear bike shorts underneath.  Clean socks should be worn for all equipment sessions.