Info on Aqualates

Pilates + H20 = Aqualates. I am guessing that is PILATES in the WATER. But what makes me interested is that when doing pilates one must breathe and use crazy machines and stuff -- how can you do that in the water?

I have been practicing Pilates since 1994. I'm certified on all apparatus and have been teaching since 1996. First let me say, AQUALATES is not Pilates but Pilates "Inspired" Aquatics. Pilates apparatus uses spring resistance whreas AQUALATES uses water resistance. Most of the exercises we teach are derived from the Pilates studio and utilize exercises from the Reformer, Cadillac, Chair ,and Barrels, but some are designed specifically with the aquatic environmnet in mind. We use the same principles and anatomical guidelines in all of our exerces and the workout is comparable. The difference is mainly in the requirement for stabilizing when you are in the water. I have read some blogs and articles noting that it cannot be anywhere near as challenging to the core as doing the exercises on land because of the supportive properties of water. Quite the contrary...water can make the work much more challeging because you need to work your spinal stabilizers 100% of the time. Just try to stand perfectly still in a pool at shoulder-level for 1 minute. Now try it with 10 to 15 people moving around you. Can't do it. The muscles that work to keep you upright and steady are the same mucsles we target in every Pilates session we teach in the studio. I own a Pilates studio and most of our clients do the traditional in-studio training, but AQUALATES is an excellent choice for some of my older clients who have a difficult time with transitions, as well as anyone with arthritis, osteoperosis, parkinsons disease. We can accomodate a pregnant or post partum woman in the studio, but if you have been pregnant you'll understand why an aquatic workout that delivers the same benefits might be more appealing. Our studio is located in a 65,000 sq ft Health Center that includes a comprehensive Physical Therapy and Sports Training department. We get a lot of post-rehab clients as well as athletes and they all gain tremendously from a combination of the two modalities. We created AQUALATES as an "addition" rather than "instead of" studio instruction, but some people just find core training more doable in the water. I have also had obese clients that would not make it through a standard mat class, yet feel empowered at their ability to do the water version. When it is a matter of exerciseing or not, why not give options? Anyone interested in becoming certified can contact The PILATES Room and AQUALATES International in Ithaca, NY. Just google AQUALATES.