Hussain Al-shammasiEnglish 111 Assignment 1February 18, 2015PilatesPilates is a form of exercise which emphasizes focuses on the balanced body development of the body through core muscular strength, flexibility, and awareness mental concentration in order to enhance efficient, graceful movement efficiency (1).This fitness system was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who is a German, during the First World War I with the intention to improve the rehabilitation program for casualtiesinjured people in the war. During this period, Pilates was determined to aid assist injured soldiers to regain their health by strengthening, stretching, and stabilizing key muscles (2). Nowadays, Pilates is one of the most popular exercise systems in United States, where Pilates lived, developed and taught his method, and United Kingdom, where he lived and taught early stages of his method. As of In 2005, there were over 11 million people practicing Pilates regularly and more than 14,000 instructors in the United States only (3). It seems like everyone is either doing Pilates or interested in starting a Pilates exercise program. IndeedIn fact, one of the best things about the Pilates method is that it works so well for a wide range of people of different physical conditions and capabilities. Athletes and dancers love it, as do seniors, women recovering from pregnancy, and people who are at various stages of physical rehabilitation (1).The secret behind this popularity admiration is that Pilates Joseph preferred fewer, more precise movements, which requireing control and technique over increased repetition. He believed that mental and physical health were are essential to one another, creating what is a method of defining his method of total body conditioning "The Pilates method of body conditioning is as gaining the mastery of your mind over the complete control over your body" he stated (4). Centering, control, flow, breath, precision, and concentration, these six Pilates principles are essential ingredients in a high quality Pilates workout. The Pilates method has always emphasized quality over quantity, and you can tell that unlike many systems of exercise, Pilates exercises do not include a lot of repetitions for each move. Marguerite Ogle, who is Pilates and body/mind fitness instructor,(1) emphasized stated that "core strength and torso stability, along with the six Pilates principles set the Pilates method apart from many other types of exercise. Weight lifting, for example, can put a lot of attention on arm or leg strength without attending much to the fact that those parts are connected to the rest of the body.". Core strength is the foundation of Pilates exercise. When the core muscles, which are the deep, internal muscles of the abdomen and back, are strong and doing their job, as they are trained to do in Pilates, they work in tandem with the superficial muscles of the trunk to support the spine and movement. There are many benefits of doing Pilates exercise. For instance, some people report that they become stronger, longer, leaner, and more able to do anything with grace and ease (2). In brief, Pilates exercises are unique series of life-enhancing physical exercises because they help to correct muscular imbalances and improve posture, coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility (1, 3, 4).1) Marguerite O. The Pilates Method of Exercise. about.com [homepage on the Internet]. 2006 [cited 2015 Feb 18]. Available from: http://pilates.about.com/od/whatispilates/a/WhatIsPilates.htm.2) 1) Pfiwa Team. What Is Pilates - Pilates Fitness Institute. pfiwa [homepage on the Internet]. 2005 [cited 2015 Feb 18]. Available from: http://www.pfiwa.com.au/start/what-is-pilates/3) Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Macmillan D. Pilates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia [homepage on the Internet]. 2012 [cited 2015 Feb 18]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilates4) Joseph, H.P. Return to Life (p.15). Pilates Method Alliance, Incorporated; 2nd edition, October 5, 2012.