Mel Siff’s Take on Pilates

Greetings, Bloggers and Readers of the Like.The following is an excerpt from 2002 that Mel Siff commented on concerning Pilates. At this time, Pilates was gaining momentum in this country and Pilates classes were popping up all over. This is one of the most comprehensive opinions I've come across concerning Pilates. Mel's comments are indicated using "***":Here is one of several similar letters which I [Mel] received privately after myarticle entitled “Pilates Naked” appeared in the www.dolfzine.com magazine:“Dr Siff — I enjoyed your discussion of the Pilates method. You are thefirst person I found on the Internet who seemed willing to look at theirclaims logically.” [from Dr R M G]No sooner had this letter arrived than I came across a magazine article whichproclaimed that it had been written to help the fitness professional toreally understand what Pilates is and what its benefits are. For a briefmoment, I thought that some genuine validation of their often exaggeratedclaims would be forthcoming, but I discovered before reading to the end ofthe first column that this was not to be.————–What Is Pilates? — Understanding and teaching this popular movement methodBy Colleen Glenn & Roberta Morgan[Personal Fitness Professional Feb 2002: 12][Colleen Glenn is a managing partner at Goodbody's Wellness Center, directorof the GoodBodys Pilates Education Series and vice president of The PilatesMethod Alliance. Roberta Morgan is PR Director with Center Studio in LosAngeles and is a board member of the PMA.]Invented in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, Pilates was created bycombining Eastern modes of exercise such as Yoga and Tai Chi with Westernpractices such as aerobics and weight training. Even with the boom in Pilatesthat has taken place throughout the world over the last 10 years, there arestill many people, even in the world of fitness and/or rehabilitation, whoare not clear on how this method works and why a new trainer must study longand carefully in order to teach it. >*** It is amazing that so many folk make it seem as if their fitness orwellness methods almost require the intelligence and training of a “rocketscientist”. Even old Joe Pilates himself didn’t have a very good grasp ofmovement science, even for those times. Moreover, the glaring lack ofscientific research into the alleged uniqueness of Pilates training meansthat there is a great shortage of intellectual matter that has to be studied.Even the “scientific” or anatomical material that has to be studiedproduces such gems that Pilates “produces thinner, less tight muscles” thanweight training — what more needs to be said about education that seems tobe so impoverished?This means then that the extensive time necessary to even teach one exerciseon the “Reformer” or the “Cadillac” has to be spent on simply practising ahuman movement that certainly does not require any skill which even vaguelycompares with a single axel on the ice, an Olympic snatch, a baseball strikeor a back salto in gymnastics or diving. Anyhow, many groups try to createan aura of mystique or complexity about their special training method becausethis makes it more marketable and attractive to the easily-bored fitnesspublic.Although the authors state that “there are still many people, even in theworld of fitness and/or rehabilitation, who are not clear on how this methodworks”, a quick reading of this article shows that even the experts do notseem to be very clear about “how” this method works and what science reallyexists to validate their claims for uniqueness.The article continues:<The Pilates Elders, the original remaining students of Joseph and ClaraPilates, have stated that, “Pilates is a movement technique as well as alifelong learning process of training your body with an expectation towardhealth and wellness. ” Joseph Pilates believed that since the mind built thebody, training the physical in this way sharpens mental acumen as well.Pilates promotes good posture through breathing, proper muscle use andcoordination building core strength and flexibility and the use ofresistance-based equipment developed by Joseph Pilates. The Pilates body isnot one of bulk and restricted movement or of the runner’s sometimes anorexicappearance. This is a dancer’s body at its agile best – long, lean, toned andtrim. Many people claim Pilates actually adds an inch or more to theirheight. Other benefits include:- Relaxation and stress reduction, encouraging overall health- Mental and physical control of the body, leading to actual re-training ofneural pathways and physical grace of movement- Gentle, safe, yet challenging non-impact exercises that build abdominal andback muscles, which stabilize the spine, protect the lower back and tightenand strengthen the buttocks- Improved posture and stability, better coordination and balanceStrengthened bones and improved circulation- Prevention of body pains and limitations associated with aging. Increasedmental and physical stamina and energy- Fewer repetitions that are indefinitely (sic) more effective in changingthe body*** As usual, no references or web resources are cited which support any ofthese claims (of course, we will be told that in such magazine articles,these would be out of place). Instead, we read nonsense on “retraining”neural pathways (whatever that is supposed to mean in the healthy person),implications that non-impact exercise is safer and more effective thanimpulsive exercise, claims that Pilates PREVENTS body pains, and implicationsthat the fewer repetitions of Pilates are more effective than higherrepetition training, irrespective of training goals. All other claims arenot unique to Pilates — many other forms of exercise can claim the samebenefits and even more.The article again:<Pilates re-educates and promotes a process that truly enhances the mind/bodyconnection. Joseph Pilates promised that in 10 sessions of Pilates, you willfeel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference, and in 30, you’llhave a whole new body. Given patience and persistence, you can improvebreathing capacities, align, stretch and strengthen the spine, improveposture and tone the entire musculature. It has proven benefits forconditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Everyone frompost-rehabilitation patients to athletes see results.>*** If ANY form of fitness training with or without weights did not producesimilar changes within those periods, something must be gravely amiss. Forthe average gym user, 30 sessions is more than 3 months of training and, ifserious weight training were used for that time, I have little doubt thatmost free weight trained subjects would visibly and in terms of physicalperformance be superior to most Pilates-trained subjects. Muscle hypertrophy(without those Pilates-condemned “bulges”), fat loss, strength, power andeven flexibility (if full range loaded exercise is used) invariably would begreater.The article once more:<While some Pilates exercises can be performed on a mat with teacherguidance, the equipment certainly enhances the experience and results. Mostof the equipment designs utilize spring mechanisms that the client employswhile moving the body, carefully noting its positioning. The spring systemassists and enables the body to achieve greater flexibility and range ofmotion in the different planes of movement, thereby enhancing proprioception,restoring joint mobility and providing an ultimate physical and mentalchallenge.>*** Springs offer resistance which do not load the joints and muscles inoptimal patterns of action, especially since spring resistance increases withextension, whereas joint torque capabilities decrease after reaching a peakwell before any full movement is completed. Springs do not specially“enhance proprioception” — I wonder if the authors would clarify what theymean by proprioception and how one can alter it. I doubt if the Pilates folkeven know how one can combine elastics (or springs) with free weights toenhance strength and power training, thereby extending the capabilities ofsprings on their own. All that they seem to believe is that weights willmake you bulky, short-muscled, stiff and clumsy — now where have we heardthat before?Do they really believe that spring training provides the “ultimate physicaland mental challenge”? If so, I am astounded, because even combined weightsand band training can be very wearisome if used very extensively in alltraining. Maybe Pilates folk are just very easy to please! However, I wouldrather not spend money on playing with spring laden machines, when I can domany hundreds of exercises on a single free weights bar alone for nothing.The article again (read my article on Pilates on the dolfzine.com site formore information on these toys):<The most well-known piece of equipment is the Universal Reformer. Othervisually simple but deceptively effective Pilates equipment includes suchitems as Low Chair, Electric Chair, Trapeze Table (which Joseph Pilatescalled The Cadillac, seeing it as the ultimate in his designs), Ped70-Pul andSpine Corrector.The Low Chair, sometimes called the Wunda Chair, was developed when Josephobserved Chinese acrobats maneuver on a box. Since he had strong beliefsabout how people should stand, walk, sleep and sit to stay healthy, he wantedthe Low Chair to be in every hotel and home; he believed that modem chairscompromised internal functioning and posture.From its origins as a massage and therapeutic table, the Trapeze Table, orTrap Table got its name from the circus trapeze. Pilates developed the tableto resemble a single four-poster bed with springs, wooden bars and hangingtrapeze-type equipment to challenge even the most physically fit individuals.Concentration is very important to work the arms, legs, trunk and entire bodyagainst the various spring tensions and positions this equipment affords.A movement technique requires learning fundamentals to build upon, time tophysically acquire skills and mentally understand them. It is aboutrepetition, refining and a depth of understanding, something that requiresmany hours of practice and apprenticeship. Professionals attendingintroductory seminars and short programs do gain invaluable concepts andpreparatory exercises to incorporate in private and/or group settings, but itis just a start. Teaching the Pilates’ concepts is quite different fromteaching exercises. The latter is surface; the former is unique and profound.>***On many occasions I have openly requested just some scientific informationto validate the oft-repeated Pilates claims, especially regarding its allegeduniquenesses, but none has yet been forthcoming, other than complaints about“Dr Siff always picking on us – why, oh why?” (the usual sidetrackingtechniques which try to disguise the likelihood that there is no informationavailable). If the science is not there to quote, what complexity and depthcan there be that one has to study?Proclaiming that “teaching the Pilates’ concepts is quite different fromteaching exercises” is yet another gross exaggeration, unless they mean thatit is even simpler to teach Pilates exercises. Further, it is massivelymisleading to add that teaching exercises is “surface”. Have they reallytried to teach the physical and mental skills necessary to master any complexskills in any coordinated sport or even the more demanding weights exercisessuch as the snatch?The article continues:<Pilates could not come of age in a better time. In 10 years, over 76 millionpeople in the US will be middle-aged or elderly. Older populations requirelow-impact programs laced with variety that also address physicallimitations. Emphasis needs to be placed on health, function, quality as wellas prevention. Pilates addresses the needs of the current aging exercisepopulations. As a result, Pilates is one of the fastest growing forms ofexercise today. As a professional, the question is not if you need to learnPilates but rather when and how.>*** Once again, they proliferate the belief that low-impact exercisesnecessarily are superior and safer (for people of all ages), even thoughresearch shows that moderate levels of impact or more heavily resistedexercise seem to play a very important role in increasing the degree of bonemineralisation and halting the progress of skeletal deterioration. Bonescans, for example, show that lifters who have used weights for several yearshave significantly greater bone density than members of the general public –I would be interested to see a comparison of the bone scans of lifters andPilates practitioners of comparable experience.Although many older folk who have spent rather sedentary lives may be quitefrail, it is incorrect to assume that ALL older folk should avoid moredemanding forms of exercise. As a professional, it is more of a question ifyou know enough about strength and fitness training in general, than if youknow a great deal about how to teach only a single limited form of training.Sure, there can be a very useful role for Pilates, but it is not universallysuperior to all other forms of exercise. To suggest that it can serve as atotal replacement for other systems of training or that it is definitelysuperior in most ways to weights and other forms of overall training isirresponsible and misleading, unless, of course, your aim is to attract morebusiness the way of Pilates!The article went on:<Formed last year, the Pilates, Method Alliance (PMA) is as internationalnon-profit organization of teachers, teacher trainers, studios, manufacturersand facilities dedicated to preserving the legacy of Joseph and ClaraPilates. The PMA states that, “The Pilates Method is an exercise process thatcreates an internal physical transformation and integration of mind and body.In order to be a teacher, one must experience it (the transformation) first,understanding that it’s never complete but & constant evolution of learning.”>*** Once again, we are exposed to this so-called “New Age” mind-bodyintegration mantra, as if this is unique to Pilates. Even though some sportswill not specifically pay attention to making deliberate efforts to integratethe use of the mind into their physical training, this integration usuallyhappens quite naturally without effort by simply taking part in the sportseriously. It is inconceivable to lift heavy weights, run long distances,swim for hours, sprint a 100m in less than 11 seconds, sink a golf put from15 metres, do a somersault on a skateboard……without mind-bodyintegration, so that claim is redundant. In fact, it is virtually impossibleto take part in any physical activity (and yes, that includes sex!) WITHOUTmind-body interaction.The article once more:<The PMA recommends that anyone who would like to teach the Pilates method ofexercise attend a comprehensive training program and maintain a commitment toeducation. Here are some questions to help you find a training program thatis right for you.1. Are there any requirements for entry into the program? Most comprehensivePilates programs require prior Pilates exercise experience, knowledge ofanatomy and/or an entrance exam for a prerequisite.2. Does the training program offer instruction on a pieces or just a specificpiece of equipment with a limited repertoire of exercises?3. Does the program meet weekly or monthly? How long does it take to complete?4. Are lecture, observation, apprenticeship and practice hours involved?Pilates is a time-proven and enormously effective movement technique thatgreatly enhances the mind, body and spirit.>*** Now we note that Pilates also integrates the SPIRIT into the whole humanequation! — maybe if they returned to a soapbox at that famous streetintersection in San Francisco, Haight-Ashbury, or on the grass at Woodstock,a few more people might buy that line, but, even in the hugely gulliblefitness and health world, that really is stretching one’s luck a bit far.Do they really believe and KNOW that indulging in physical games on Pilatesdevices is magically going to enhance what happens in the spiritual realms?Maybe this little-known Pilates prayer has something to do with it:Our integrated father-mother which art in Pilates heaven,Hallowed be thy gamesThy playground come,Thy exercises will be done on the mat as it is in the Cadillac heavenGive us this day our daily flat musclesAnd forgive us our trespasses for using free weightsAs we forgive them that trespass on our machinesAnd lead us not into temptation to use heavy weights or ballistic bouncesFor thine is the Pilates kingdomThe commercial power and the physical gloryFor ever and everAum!————-Mel Siff