Movie Fitness

Pilates at Movie Fitness

What is Pilates? Pilates is a total body conditioning workout that blends Eastern and Western philosophies. It focuses on muscular harmony and balance; demanding concentration, precision, and control - to create a "thinking body".
The Pilates exercises help to improve posture by increasing flexibility and toning muscles. It improves balance and coordination, relieves stress, and reduces fatigue and chronic pain.

Joseph Pilates (1880-1967)

Joseph was born in Germany and even though as a child he was suffering from asthma he was determined to overcome his illness and be fit and strong. As a result he managed to become an accomplished gymnast, boxer, diver and skier.

He was an admirer of the Eastern traditions focusing on calmness and emphasizing on stretching but also mastered the Western approach of Greek and German fitness that emphasized on strength and muscle tone.

Passionate about creating a strong and flexible body he combined these approaches and created his own mind and body workout.
During World War 1 he worked as a nurse where he was inspired to invent his exercise apparatus. Working with the inactive patients he attached springs to their hospital beds, creating resistance to exercise their limbs and develop core strength, while they were still bedridden.
The results of his work were remarkable and he was asked to train the most elite armed forces of the British military.
He moved to America in 1926 where he opened his first studio teaching along side with his devoted wife Clara.

How it Works (Mat Work and Equipment)

Joseph Pilates invented several machines to develop the body uniformly. The machines can either assist or challenge. With the use of straps and springs specific areas can be targetted for development in rehabilitation, flexibility or strengthening.
Pilates' dream was to create a workout that could be used by everyone from basic to advanced, from injured to super fit, at any age, and any level of ability. So he designed a sequence of exercises performed on the floor (Mat work) working the muscles of the whole body in a logical way.

What Pilates Does

Pilates has a lot of respect from physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors as, if taught correctly, it can cure minor back pain developed over the years due to poor posture, office jobs or past injuries.
Pilates strengthens the "core" muscles, which create support and give you a healthy posture.
The exercises are made to strengthen but at the same time stretch the muscles so you end up with lean and strong muscles.

Pilates teaches a breathing technique that expands the air capacity of the lungs and aids in good posture so that all the organs of the body are properly aligned and function ultimately.

Benefits of the Pilates Method - Combined with Movie Fitness Training

Anybody, regardless of age or fitness level, can benefit from Pilates. When combined with Movie Fitness training there is an overall development of the core, muscles, bones, joints, posture and wellbeing. Along with the correct way of thinking and eating - you CAN get it all right!

Pilates can supplement your weekly exercise routine and prevent injuries. It can keep the body balanced and pain free.
Pilates compliments the training of actors, athletes, and dancers, who usually train their muscles in a very specific way. It creates a total balance.

About Iphigenia Leoussi - Pilates Teacher at Movie Fitness

As an ex dancer I have experienced the necessity of a functional body.
After a sequence of injuries during my dancing career and months of rest, rehabilitation and frustration, I was lucky enough to come across the Pilates technique as a part of my rehab.
Pilates helped me regain strength and made me a better and stronger dancer than I was.
I then got a state scholarship to study dance in the UK which I used to study Pilates. My aim was to learn a skill that could help me stay healthy but also I could use to help others.
Pilates has given me a deeper understanding of the human body and movement , which was very useful for my analytical way of thinking.
I found myself enjoying teaching so much that I never went back to dancing.
Teaching Pilates has become an endless journey of learning and a lifetime passion.

Iphigenia is currently working as Pilates Trainer to "Quantum of Solace" actress Gemma Arterton on the upcoming epic "Clash Of The Titans" (2010)