Here are two short excerpts from a wonderful in-depth interview Michael Miller Pilates instructor carried out with the Pilates instructor and yoga practitioner, Claudio Fernandez, Rio de Janeiro on 4 December 2006.

The full interview is available for purchase as a nine-page PDF on the website, Michael Miller, hermit.com. I found the interview to an interesting exploration of Pilates, and Pilates and yoga.
Michael: What is Pilates?
Claudio: My English is bad, but I try. I believe that equality with you, Michael, that Pilates is the idea. That is, for me, first. Pilates is the idea. Because with this knowledge, you can do Pilates, Pilates, not real, like other Pilates exercises. You can train when you understand real Pilates Pilates is the idea. By the time you do a similar exercise based on Pilates, Pilates, but real that you experience in your body when you understand Pilates is the idea.

Michael: What is the idea?

Claudio: The idea is, in English, even the eccentric load flowing through progressive patterns of movement. This is the idea. This idea is equal to a mathematical formula, is very concise, very clear, very objective. Equal to a mathematical formula, when you understand the function, it is very easy, then apply the formula of any movement, because the area of knowledge of the formula is the movement.

Michael: The purpose of the formula is the movement.

Claudio: Yes. The equation in any kind of movement. Every move, no?

Michael: We used the formula of any kind of movement is that what you’re saying?

Claudio: Yes, very interesting, because when you understand Pilates as an idea, it is very easy to do Pilates. You know how to make connections, you know the function of each part of the training. Breathing, muscle twitching, time, parts of the movement. The formula is part of the motion and orders them. Because the form is an idea I like to talk about formula. Since an idea can be very broad, general idea, but a formula is an idea that is very specific, very specific, a formula is to shoot at a target. And the idea is very specific, clearly, its use is unclear.

Michael: What do you mean use it obvious?

Claudio: Using the body, it is clear the use of the body is the goal. The use of the body is the goal of the idea. Clearly this idea in your body specifically for the moving body.

Michael: The question is to move the body through space, right?

Claudio: Yes, this is the fundamental difference with Yoga. This is very, very important. Because the idea of Pilates is on the moving body, a predator, for survival. It’s the idea, survival is the evolution, because evolution makes survival. This is the power of the idea. The power of the idea is to make the movement in the body with more capacity.

Pilates in an exercise ball. Pilates fitness band. Pilates with yoga. Pilates for tango dancing. Pilates in the pool. The list goes on, but are we really talking about Pilates even when presented mostly in the context of a system of exercises? Much of the Pilates community would say no, and much would say yes.

Joseph Pilates developed a wide repertoire of exercises based on the principles of very specific movement. Their exercises are done on a mat or one of the many pieces of equipment he invented, as the magic circle, a Pilates chair or reformer. That’s near the end of the story for many traditionalists in the world of Pilates. However, as the Pilates method has influenced the exercise science and vice versa, many new approaches and equipment have found their way in the formation of Pilates.

The key question then is: How far from traditional Pilates is too far? If you take a class or buy a Pilates video and pretending to be something, say Pilates and ballroom dancing, but there are only two traditional Pilates exercises in the whole thing, is Pilates? “And if we add fundamental building work? If you do a Pilates class and the instructor ball no more than a day “Pilates on the ball” certification from one of the many self-appointed certification companies, you will reap the benefits associated with doing Pilates correctly?

I can not answer those questions. My job is to bring to your attention and alert you that the fact that while most of Pilates-based instruction is excellent, there are a lot of Pilates combined with other teams and traditions and is derived from Pilates there is no real is in it – other than as a noun or as a marketing tool.

So how do you know if you go to a fusion of Pilates experience that Pilates gives you enough to be worthwhile, especially if there is no traditional Pilates taught? The 5 tips below will help you be a demanding customer:

1. The best solution is to know about Pilates. Take some Pilates classes, equipment or mate, with a fully certified Pilates instructor. Then go to the combination of Pilates with this or that. At least you have an idea of the basics of Pilates movement, and you will be able to see the principles in its fusion instructor or not.

2. Find out how much of his instructional Pilates Fusion Pilates teacher actually does. Do not settle for a one day workshop. If the instructor is the combination of Pilates with something else, yoga or ballet, for example, must be well trained in both.

3. Look for the basics of Pilates inspired instruction and an emphasis on abs who retired in supporting the core, the length and alignment, exercise modification, including the stability of the ABS base, shoulder and pelvis integrated breathing, and a sense of the principles of Pilates.

4. Ask yourself how you feel after a class. Are you getting the benefits associated with Pilates training? Do your limbs feel more and feel taller? Are you getting the strength without the stress? His posture is better and breathing is easy and completely? Are you more flexible?

For many years, the Pilates name was held in the marks and the ones who went through a very specific program can use the Pilates name. Everyone else, no matter how extensive his training was, had to reduce its title with warnings like “Pilates based” or “Pilates Inspired”. In 2000, after four years of legal battle between Sean Gallagher (who registered the name Pilates) and Ken Endelman, and Balanced Body Inc., the courts ruled that the name for a Pilates exercise system and could not be registered. This decision had important implications for the entire Pilates community.

The Upside: Those with legitimate training in Pilates are now free to call your Pilates work. Before the application, even those who had trained hard with Joseph Pilates himself can not refer to his work as Pilates. In addition, many training programs and certification credible Pilates can legitimately claim to be teaching Pilates and graduating from certified instructors to teach the Pilates Method.

The downside: As the name Pilates is free for anyone to use, many are. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of programs that claim to offer certification in the Pilates method in just one weekend of study. In turn, there are fitness instructors, although they can be very good in their field, these small classes, get certified, and then claim to be teaching Pilates. Some may not even realize that the Pilates Method is a sophisticated science that requires much study and experience by a professional before they are qualified to teach.

Sean Gallagher, who lost his bid to maintain its brand name “Pilates”, makes these points about the risk to consumers in the release of the name of Pilates:

* Anyone can teach some exercises that they want and still call the exercises of Pilates “or” Pilates Method “.
* Anyone can put the name of Pilates exercise equipment, whether you have any connection with equipment developed by Joseph Pilates.

While most of the Pilates community agrees with Gallagher’s concerns, many feel that the community had to take these risks so that the name of Pilates available to those who have been teaching Pilates exercise an authentic way . The responsibility now lies with all practitioners of Pilates to maintain the integrity of the Pilates system. At this point, there is a fairly lively debate as to how this will happen.
The possibility of a national certification examination Pilates Method

The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), a nonprofit association, Pilates, is devoting considerable effort to establish some standardization in the field of Pilates.

Since the WFP mission statement:
… by the launch of the first industry-wide certification exam for the Pilates method in the United States. WFP has established performance metrics to guide the industry recommended practice of all PMA Certified and non-certified Pilates teachers. WFP has established these standards to further reduce the professionalism of Pilates.

PMA instructor certification examination has not been approved by the entire industry, and there are still many unanswered questions about its implementation and impact. However, many Pilates influential companies such as Stott Pilates, Peak Pilates and Balanced Body, are supportive of it. I think it’s reasonable to expect that some industry-wide regulation of Pilates teacher training in the coming years. If you are a Pilates instructor, or are thinking about a Pilates teacher training, it must be aware of developments in the national certification examination and Pilates standards issues .*

In short, it will be until you do research and make sure the program you choose is sufficient for the task if you are seeking a teacher certification program for Pilates. There are many excellent training programs for teachers of Pilates available. Most certification programs require Pilates instructor at least one year of study and a wealth of experience in the study, including the preparation of applicants through the earlier study.

Pilates is useful for men? I’ve always felt a certain reservation on this issue. After all, why not be? Pilates was created by a man, Joseph Pilates, who has been a means of training for elite athletes, both men and women over 50 years, and men have been prominent as instructors and promoters of the method Pilates in its history.

Although men have always been part of the scene Pilates, the rising popularity of Pilates has enjoyed in recent years has been driven largely by a wave of female participants and instructors, leaving some with the impression that Pilates is more for women. This is an unfortunate side effect of an otherwise positive development. Fortunately, it is rapidly dissolving. Pilates is a fitness trend of faster growth in the world, and men are definitely reap the many benefits of Pilates.

Why Pilates works well for men
Core strength, flexibility, balance, uniform development, and efficient movement patterns – all are characteristics of the formation of Pilates and very important for mens fitness. The integration component of Pilates can be especially beneficial for men whose training often focus on one part of the approach by muscular development, as it is in weightlifting.

Pilates, however, emphasizes movement from the center of the body, power, and developing core strength in the deep muscles of the heart to stabilize the trunk and protect your back. This type of basic training in Pilates technique makes an excellent whole-body fitness as well as a base for cross training with other types of sports and exercise.

Increased flexibility is a goal that Pilates addresses so often men feel comfortable. Pilates works to functional fitness. That is, the ability to have the strength, balance and flexibility that allows you to move through daily life tasks with grace and ease. To this end, the Pilates exercises are designed to increase flexibility and range of motion, but you will not find the kind of pretzel in Pilates stretches that can be found in the gym or yoga.

3 Tips for men who are new to Pilates

1. If you start to learn to take Pilates classes, the best way to go, you could find that women outnumber men by a little. As I said, that demographic is changing, and there are many men in Pilates, but for now, will probably have to try being the minority gender, so be forewarned.
More preparedness tips:
* Tips for Choosing a Pilates Instructor
* Preparation for its First Class of Pilates

2. There is nothing specifically different about the training of Pilates for men, especially at first. The Pilates method is the same for everyone. Developed in the body of a man, and taught with the support of men and women, Pilates is based on the principles of healthy movement for the human body in general. Men may find that your muscles are a little tighter than a jacket, especially in the hips and hamstrings, but the exercises can be easily modified to allow these areas to expand gradually. Modification of the exercises in Pilates is very common, allowing it to meet a variety of needs of professionals.

3. Pilates is a body / mind, where the practice part of the exercise is to take your care and attention to every movement. Similarly, demanding alignment, and basic training that goes beyond the superficial muscles, require more attention and subtle micro-adjustments that some men are accustomed to find in an exercise class. There is no power “only through” kind of attitude that men can be used in gyms. This often becomes more apparent when working with Pilates equipment, which, although resistance material is not intended to be conquered. In fact, sometimes the slightest adjustment on a piece of equipment, such as the reformer, is the most difficult for the major muscles. In Pilates, controlled, well-Aligned Movement is the ticket to a deeper level of fitness.