By Jay Westman
Local residents are bringing a whole new meaning to the saying “no pain, no gain,” flocking to Pilates classes and using what look like torture machines, all in the name of living more comfortable lives.
Pilates is a sort of therapeutic exercise, much like yoga, and it’s growing in popularity.
The name comes from Joseph Pilates, who invented the method in the 1920s.
“He studied a lot of yoga, and he combined what he learned from Zen meditation, Greek and Roman vigorous exercise and a number of other methods. He designed a series of exercises that develop the core stabilizing muscles in your body, so you could have a very flexible spine, a strong centre,” says Pam Forth, founder of Body Alive, the new Pilates centre at 315 Somerset St.
The business has been up and running since early September.
Forth says local residents have shown great interest so far, with a crowd of nearly 200 for the grand opening earlier in the month.
“A lot of people in this area come (for classes). The majority of my clients are from the downtown core.”
Pilates looks similar to yoga, but can include the use of specialized apparatuses that apply resistance to rarely-used muscles, such as the hip flexor and rotator cuff.
The machines look like modern versions of ancient torture devices, but once seen in use are much less intimidating.
Group sessions or “mat classes” are done using gravity and leverage to achieve the required resistance, along with strategically placed cushions.
Claire Foley, a Body Alive member, says she started doing Pilates to better her body.
“I wanted to gain a little strength and flexibility, but more than that, an awareness of how I’m using my muscles and my body, and using them in a way that won’t lead to pain,” she says.
Foley says that more than anything, Pilates is preventative therapy, helping people avoid problems down the road such as back pain and discomfort.
Has she noticed a difference since she started a couple of months ago?
“I haven’t been to a chiropractor since I started, and I used to go every week.”
Louise Normandin, another client of Forth’s, says Pilates is a preventative measure.
“I have a risk of getting osteoporosis — my mom has it — and one of the recommended remedies, besides taking calcium supplements and hormonal therapy, is to exercise in a way that will (build muscle). I was afraid of weightlifting, of hurting myself. This is lower impact than weightlifting.”
Forth says Pilates is the sort of exercise anyone can do and the results are often noticeable right away.
“People leave here feeling completely different, totally connected, tension in their neck gone, low back pain starting to dissipate,” she says.
Body Alive offers a number of different kinds of classes, the largest of which has eight students, creating an intimate environment.