The basics of Pilates are based on a series of exercises that Joseph H. Pilates designed to help the soldiers of war to regain their strength. After serving the broken and injured soldiers of the war, Joseph eventually bought his new exercise program to the United States where he gained a loyal following in the state of New York.

Pilates basics are designed around helping you to get stronger, more flexible and even to have improved coordination. Pilates also uses specific sequential breathing methods combined with intense concentration on a specific body part to create an effective exercise routine. These are the basics of Pilates.

One of the keys to Pilates is your ability to focus on your powerhouse or your abdomen. This Pilates secret allows you to direct your concentration on the core of your body and by doing so Joseph Pilates taught that your body would begin to work more efficiently as a whole unit. This causes your muscles to work through their full range of motion.

The rectus abdominis, the transverse abdominis, and the internal and external obliques make up the powerhouse of your body's core. It is this combination of muscles along with the muscles of the spine that are the focus of intensity during the traditional Pilates exercises. A strong core is better able to support your body and to give you the balance and flexibility that you need.

When you are able to focus on the core muscles, you are also able to use Pilates to improve your balance, your strength, your flexibility and your coordination. With improvement in these areas you are less likely to sustain injuries. Once you have conquered the basics of Pilates and understand its benefits to your body, then you are more likely to continue to practice this art since it is clear to see the benefits of exercise such as this.

If all of this sounds a bit to soft for your exercise taste, make no mistake, Pilates is not a soft and fluffy exercise. If you have any doubt, then take the time to pick up a DVD of Winsor Pilates. In this particular slant to traditional Pilates, Mari Winsor has developed a series of Pilates exercises which she calls "dynamic sequencing" which even on a good day will leave you with your tongue hanging out!

One of the best things about Pilates is that it is gentle on the joints. For this reason it can be practiced by the majority of all folks, even those who are just getting started with a fitness routine. Many Pilates practitioners believe this form of exercise will leave you feeling better and not worse.

Other benefits of Pilates include leaving you feeling invigorated, energized and even more confident. Plus the wonderful breathing exercises which accompany this exercise will also help you to finish the exercise feeling more relaxed and even calmer.

So why not give Pilates a try? You will be glad you did and your body will thank you for it! The basics of Pilates give you a certain set of exercises along with specific breathing patterns all focused on helping your tone and strengthen your abdominal powerhouse.

Pilates basics is a well organized and thoughtful series of exercises that can help you to find more strength, tone, and even confidence. Most of all Pilates can help you to restore and maintain your health. After all, isn't healthy living what it's all about!