Pilates has become increasingly popular as celebrities credit the exercise for their rock hard bodies.
Joseph H. Pilates created the exercise regimen and machines for dancers over 80 years ago and his students took his teachings and created their own forms.
The fitness industry created its popular version. Now classes have sprung up all over the nation in health clubs and gyms as well as on infomercials for at-home fitness videos.
The good news for City College students is that they can take a Pilates class here at school. Debbie Ekola teaches PE-139: Pilates Mat Fitness in Physical Education-Room 114 Monday through Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
“The best thing about Pilates is that it really helps people,” Ekola said, “and the best place to get help is in a classroom setting, preferably a smaller one.”
If you use the videos at home Ekola warns that you may hurt yourself.
“I have had friends who got hurt doing the videos at home,” she said.
This can result from doing the movements incorrectly or jumping to an advanced level without mastering the basic technique and form, said Ekola.
Ekola, who is self-taught, has been a fitness instructor for over 22 years and teaching at City College for 20. Besides being certified for Pilates she is also trained in, and teaches, step aerobics, ball, and high and low-cardio aerobics.
“Pilates can give you a greater sense of breathing, core stability, posture, flexability, and it doesn’t pound joints,” Ekola said.
Looking into any of Ekola’s classes, one gets a great sense of peace as students lay on mats around the room doing slow, controlled movements with only Ekola’s instructions breaking the silence.
However, students who can’t make it to school before noon are out of luck. Ekola only teaches classes in the mornings. The classes are early, but Ekola enjoys the time slot because the class helps her “wake up and feel more energy.”
She stresses the importance of fitting Pilates into a busy schedule because everyone can benefit, and she understands what it’s like to have a busy schedule.
Ekola is the mother of three children, ages six to 15.
Men also enjoy her class.
“There are about 5 guys in my classes and they just love it,” she said. “They are well challenged.”
Pilates can also be used as strength training and incorporated into other fitness programs. It was originally widely used by dancers but can benefit anybody, and be an advantage in other sports because of the emphasis on deep breathing to increase lung capacity and circulation.
No matter where you take the class you can continue to challenge yourself and benefit from the teachings and physical improvement.
“Pilates is a journey. You always keep developing yourself-there’s no final destination,” Ekola said.