The Pilates system of exercise has been very popular with dancers and performers, since its inception in the early 1900's by founder Joseph Pilates.

Pilates himself, describes this whole body type of exercise as the "conscious control of all muscular movements of the body".

Good control of the muscles allows the joints to be held in their optimal positions. This occurs when both the muscles which mobilise and stabilise work in balance, so that there is minimal wear and tear on the joints, producing smooth and efficient movement.

Muscle imbalances that cause pain often develop due to;

• poor posture
• adoption of poor working postures
• sporting injuries
• repetitive strain on structures of the body.

Our muscles become short and /or tight, and others weak &/or long. We still move, but inefficiently, often "cheating" by adopting a different combination of muscles to achieve the movement. After awhile these bad postural habits feel normal and it's not until pain occurs do we realise that there is a problem.

It is now thought that correct movement patterns become automatic through repetition. This focus on muscle control, rather than traditional weights or strength training, is achieved by exercises which challenge and facilitate the use of the core (postural) musculature.

These core muscles are the deep muscles of the;