Developed by the legendary Joseph Pilates, The Method is a physical and mental conditioning for power and flexibility and is accessible to anyone. This is an exercise program that uses your entire body and rewards you with the suppleness of a trained dancer, restoring balance to your body. It helps heal muscular and soft tissue pain, while it builds the strength to prevent injuries from occurring. Emphasizing body alignment and correct breathing, Pilates uses the abdomen, lower back and buttocks as a power center, enabling the rest of the body to move more freely. A series of controlled exercises and specialized equipment create variable resistance for muscular exertion; the Pilates Mat uses a series of exercises while using your own body weight for resistance. Pilates is a proven and acclaimed conditioning program that has helped people strengthen and empower themselves since the 1920's.