Thread: Has Pilates Helped Your Dance?

I used to be a big yoga person and was impressed how yoga improved my dance.

Well - I stopped right around my pregnancy and never went back.

I guess Yoga is no longer the "hot" thing to do because I cannot find a yoga class (at a time that is convenient).

I have been finding lots of pilates classes so I thought I would see what you ladies have noticed...

One of my belly dance teachers is also a pilates instructor. She used pilates and gyrotonics as warm ups for the class and it was really awesome. Classes were 1 hour and a half...so we did 30 minutes of pilates and gyrotonics and an hour of class. It was such a great work out. I loved it.

I'm a big believer in Pilates, I've even been kicking around the idea of becoming a certified instructor.

It's really helped me build and maintain a lot of strength that I need for dancing. I don't have a lot of natural core strength and used to get back pain in college when I wasn't getting as much exercise since I was spending more time studying. But since I started pilates, never have it anymore.

Slight off-topic, but I have a bit of a theory as to why most dancers split into a yoga or pilates camp. I prefer pilates because it focuses more on strength, and that's what I need to work on. And while yoga certainly develops strength, I've heard most dancers say they like it because it helps them with flexibility. I'm a natural gumby, so yoga typically doesn't do as much for me as pilates does. And then I don't really buy into the meditative side of yoga either.

So I think whether you like one vs. the other may depend on what you hope to get out of it. But I certainly recommend pilates, it's really made a difference for me.

Originally Posted by mathkitty

I'm a big believer in Pilates, I've even been kicking around the idea of becoming a certified instructor.

It's really helped me build and maintain a lot of strength that I need for dancing. I don't have a lot of natural core strength and used to get back pain in college when I wasn't getting as much exercise since I was spending more time studying. But since I started pilates, never have it anymore.

Slight off-topic, but I have a bit of a theory as to why most dancers split into a yoga or pilates camp. I prefer pilates because it focuses more on strength, and that's what I need to work on. And while yoga certainly develops strength, I've heard most dancers say they like it because it helps them with flexibility. I'm a natural gumby, so yoga typically doesn't do as much for me as pilates does. And then I don't really buy into the meditative side of yoga either.

So I think whether you like one vs. the other may depend on what you hope to get out of it. But I certainly recommend pilates, it's really made a difference for me.

I totally agree with mathkitty. Pilats is great but definitely focuses more on core strength as an end product than maybe yoga dos, but they are both so very good for your body. They are much gentler on you than running!

I always used to think that Pilates was almost a western equivalent to eastern yoga.

I have arthritis, and just started taking two yoga classes per week. The instructor said that it could take a minimum of six months to a year to regain my flexibility, though. The stretching has really helped my stiffness, and I was considering pilates also, but he said to wait until I'm more flexible to take it.

I try to do both because they both have their own uses. Interesting as to why people defect yoga for pilates because to me one is for flexibility and the other is for strength. I personally need both. Now if I could find the time for more of them!

I did pilates for a while and it didn't do much for me in general, maybe a little overall strengthening. I really didn't notice a difference dance wise.

Amazing for core stability and strength, and I have seen a massive improvement in my flexibility since starting pilates in February!

I think pilates is a very good approach to a safe fitness regimens- it's not the only option, but it is a good one & I think working towards a balanced fitness regimen can only help your dance overall. My understanding is that it was originally developed to help cross train for dancers to help prevent & treat common dance related injuries, so it seems like a good place to start! I have enjoyed it, but I've done a lot of other things too & like to vary my routine regularly (my body finds so many shortcuts when I *think* I'm doing everything right!)

Originally Posted by Lara L

. My understanding is that it was originally developed to help cross train for dancers to help prevent & treat common dance related injuries,

It was not originally developed for dancers. Joseph Pilates was a German body-builder in the early 20th century, he developed it for himself based on yoga and other practices. He had been a very weak, sickly child who suffered from asthma among other things. Then he began using it to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers when he was interned in England during WW1 (this is the origin of the Pilates reformer, old hospital beds). He eventually immigrated to the US and did frequently work with ballet dancers.

Balanced Body. [Pilates] : About Pilates : Pilates Origins

Originally Posted by jengal55

I totally agree with mathkitty. Pilats is great but definitely focuses more on core strength as an end product than maybe yoga dos, but they are both so very good for your body. They are much gentler on you than running!

I also agree that Pilates is great for core strength, although I used to be an avid yoga freak. Running tops them both, though...played a pick up game of soccer last week just for a little bit (haven't played on my regular team since my hip injury last year), and the next day my abs were more sore than I think they've ever been from dancing, yoga, or Pilates!

Originally Posted by mathkitty

It was not originally developed for dancers. Joseph Pilates was a German body-builder in the early 20th century, he developed it for himself based on yoga and other practices. He had been a very weak, sickly child who suffered from asthma among other things. Then he began using it to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers when he was interned in England during WW1 (this is the origin of the Pilates reformer, old hospital beds). He eventually immigrated to the US and did frequently work with ballet dancers.

Balanced Body. [Pilates] : About Pilates : Pilates Origins

Thanks for clarifying that point (that's what I get for taking a certain ballerina's word without checking up on it- she thinks the world revolves around ballet- go figure- hehe) I should know better, especially since it's so easy to check things like that these days...

this is great information. I really want to build the strength and flexibility I had with yoga but I just cannot find a yoga class at a time that is good for me. Looks like I may be trying pilates for a spin. We will see how it goes. If I can at least get the strength going, I can always work on my vinyasa yoga at home..

Originally Posted by Fotia

I try to do both because they both have their own uses. Interesting as to why people defect yoga for pilates because to me one is for flexibility and the other is for strength. I personally need both. Now if I could find the time for more of them!

DITTO!! I do both and use both in my classes for conditioning purposes. I have seen some classes now that are a combination of both yoga and pilates, that is one way to fit them both in I guess.

oh yes - I did see a yogilates class listed...maybe that will work for me. A little of both!

I love both and find them both fantastic for strength and flexibility- BUT this is entirely contingent upon the teacher!
Pilates is a full body workout, not just a "core workout". There are many instructors however who only know the basics and who turn it into an ab-tastic workout and ignore the rest (and the balance).
If you try either of them once a week and don't get any results, lol, don't be surprised. If you try them 2 or 3 times a week and don't feel results, change your teacher. If you're doing them 2 or 3 times a week on your own and don't get results- find someone knowledgeable to guide you.

Good advice Samira. I only started doing it as my trainer is also a qualified pilates instructor and she started teaching me simple bits to do at home because I was so stiff I could only reach my knees bending over. In six months I can get to my toes now. It's been amazing, but it only works if you really understand what you are doing.