Pilates on long is a fully equipped Pilates studio found in the peaceful town of Montagu, in the western cape province of South Africa. The Art of Pilates is practiced in either Group Mat classes or Private equipment classes and conducted by ex professional ballet dancers Mitya and Fiona Sargeant. The Studio has a variety of equipment such as a reformer, Cadillac wall unit, spine corrector and Wanda Chair to mention a few. We also include the use of Exercise bands, overballs and of course the Large Pilates Balls in Group classes. Another exciting facet of the Studio is the inclusion of several disciplines such as Yoga (yogalates) dance (Adult ballet and Dancesize) Also included at the same venue is a mini Gym catering for more cardio like exercise and free weights for development of global muscles. The Studio is an all round fitness center catering for individuals or small groups in a relaxed and inviting environment.

Joseph Pilates said: It develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality,invigorates the mind, elevates the spirit, makes you feel good, and gives you "all-confidence"

Why Pilates?

The Pilates method was devised by Joseph Pilates around the beginning of the 20th Century. His system produced extraordinary results in the lst World War and later in rehabilitation of injured dancers and sportsmen. Many top class athletes and performers use this method today not only for rehabilitation but also to develop a competitive edge. When used correctly it will produce an ideal body alignment and increases muscular strength. You will become more conscious of your body and feel the benefits of the system quickly. You will become more supple and learn to stretch correctly. Special attention is given to breathing. The Pilates method is becoming increasingly popular globally as people discover its benefits. The Pilates method comprises of both mat work done on the floor and machine work done on specifically designed machines. This is not a gut wrenching cardio fitness workout, but rather a slow and extremely focused but always demanding form of exercise. Its very much the thinking persons exercise as opposed to a bashing away no pain no gain approach! Young and old can benefit from this exciting form of exercise and do as much as their bodies can cope with.

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany and was a sickly child suffering form asma and rheumatic fever. This led him to seek out and study many kinds of self-improvement systems. The result was that he became very fit and whilst living in England worked as a circus performer and boxer. When he was placed in forced internment in England at the outbreak of WWI he began to develop the floor exercises that evolved into what we now know as the Pilates Mat Work. Nobody in his interment died of the dreaded influenza virus which took more lives than the war did and this could have been a direct result of the mat work exercises. Pilates then began to work with rehabilitating other detainees who were suffering from diseases and injuries. It was invention born of necessity that inspired Pilates to utilize things that were available to him, like bedsprings, to create resistance equipment and exercises for his patients, and ultimately the Reformer.

Pilates drew from studies in Eastern practices such as Yoga and Zen. He was also inspired by the ancient Greek ideal of man perfected in development of body, mind and spirit. Pilates studied anatomy and developed himself as a body builder, a wrestler, gymnast, boxer, skier and diver.

In 1925 after WW1 he was asked to train the German army. Instead, he packed his bags and took a boat to New York City. On the boat to America Joseph met Clara, a nurse, who would become his wife. Pilates went on to establish a studio in New York and Clara worked with him as he evolved the Pilates method of exercise, invented the Pilates exercise equipment, and trained students. He called his work Contrology. He defined Contrology as “the comprehensive integration of body mind and spirit”.

Pilates was a firm advocate of quality over quantity with regard to exercise. He was looking for efficiency in movement. Each movement had to be accomplished with full attention and done smoothly with control. With that goal, Pilates created exercises that develop what we now call, core strength, in order to maximize the ease and flow of each movement. He was also very much convinced of the importance of breathing fully. Pilates encouraged students to breathe deeply so as to truly fill and cleanse the lungs.

In New York he was soon to be discovered by the dance community. Many dancers and well known persons of New York depended on Pilates Contrology training for the strength and grace it developed in the practitioner, as well as for its rehabilitative effects. Until exercise science caught up with the Pilates exercise principles in the 1980’s, and the surge of interest in Pilates that we have today got underway, it was chiefly dancers and elite athletes who kept Pilates work alive.

Pilates taught in New York from 1926 to 1966. Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967 at the age of 87. He had maintained a very fit physique throughout his life, and many photos show that he was in remarkable physical condition in his older years. He is also said to have been quite a flamboyant personality. He smoked cigars, liked to party, wore his exercise briefs wherever he wanted, and could be an intimidating, though deeply committed, instructor. Clara Pilates continued to teach and run the studio for another 10 years after Joseph's death.