What is the Stott Pilates Method?
Stott Pilates is a modern approach to the traditional Pilates method pioneered by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. The main objective of this modern workout/program is to increase strength, flexibility, body tone and endurance, without building bulk or risking injury (i.e. to create a balanced, structurally-aligned body that looks fit, feels revitalised, and moves with ease).
It was developed in the 1980s by a professional dancer called Moira Stott-Merrithew. It has undergone continual improvements since, and it now consists of over 500 mat and equipment based pilates exercises – including specifically modified exercises for specific conditions, such as back problems. It is the most modern pilates method available, and in my opinion, it is also the most effective – I particularly like the emphasis it places on exercising safely.
Like a lot of dancers, Moira regularly did Pilates, because it gave her the strength and flexibility she needed, but without the bulk associated with many traditional exercise routines. However, when she picked up a fairly serious injury whilst doing traditional Pilates, she decided that the time was ripe for someone to take a fresh look at Pilates, with a view to incorporating the significant advances that had been made in fields such as exercise science, sports medicine, and physical therapy. Her objective was to keep the effectiveness of traditional Pilates, whilst at the same time taking advantage of modern scientific knowledge to improve safety, and to significantly reduce the risk of injuries.
Since becoming part of the Merrithew Corporation, Stotts Pilates has grown into a massive, world-wide education and training business. So big in fact that you would be hard-pressed to find a medium-sized town in North America or the UK that doesn’t have a Stotts Pilates class!
What are the benefits of Stott Pilates?
Stotts Pilates will result in the following benefits:
- Long, lean, streamlined and strong muscles.
- Increased core strength, power and stability.
- Better posture – less aches and pains.
- Ease of movement.
- Increased flexibility.
- Increased fitness.
- Improved circulation.
- Improved digestion.
- Weight loss (if you are overweight).
- Enhanced athletic performance.
- Reduced stress – increased peace of mind.
- Improved balance.
- Reduced risk of injury – whilst exercising, and also in everyday life (e.g. lifting and moving things, gardening etc…).
- No impact – protects joints from injury.
- More restful sleep.
How does Stott Pilates work?
Stott Pilates focuses on correct breathing technique, and on strengthening and balancing postural muscles (i.e. the muscles around joints) to enable people to maintain correct posture. The breathing-related elements focus on specific breathing patterns, and on how to properly fill your lungs with oxygen. The posture-related elements focus on improving core stability (including pelvis and shoulder girdle stabilisation), and on neutral alignment of the spine. By breathing correctly, and by maintaining correct posture, the aches and pains associated with modern living (e.g. neck ache, stiff shoulders, lower back pain etc…) are either removed completely, or significantly reduced.
How safe is Stott Pilates?
The focus on correct postural placement/movement, combined with deep, therapeutic breathing, and no impact, means that it is one of the safest forms of exercise available. Another key point is that not just anybody can become a certified Stott Pilates instructor – you have to undergo and pass a very rigorous and intensive training/certification program at one of the many Stotts Pilates Training Centers.
Traditional Pilates was already very safe and effective, but Stott Pilates has taken it to a whole new level – it is more of a pilates education than a pilates class! The fact that Stott Pilates is widely respected and recommended by many medical professionals (e.g. doctors, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical therapists, physiologists etc…), and often forms part of rehab programs, speaks volumes for the effectiveness and safety of the method.
