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"If the words, \"rolling like a ball,\" \"magic circle,\" or, \"the hundreds\" mean anything to you, you, like I, love Pilates! Despite exploding as something of a fad a few years ago, the practice was...\n\n[\n\n](http://blog.teenvogue.com/beauty/blogs/beauty/Pilates-Body-Challenge-Cover.html)If the words, \"rolling like a ball,\" \"magic circle,\" or, \"the hundreds\" mean anything to you, you, like I, love Pilates! Despite exploding as something of a fad a few years ago, the practice was actually developed by a German named Joseph Pilates while interned in the UK during WWI with other \"enemy alien\" German nationals. Pretty interesting! Initially adopted mainly by dancers, now it seems as though everyone and their mother is a fan of Pilates. Now, Brooke Siler is the go-to guru of Pilates! With her downtown NYC studio, re:AB (www.reabnyc.com), two books and a DVD out, we turned to her to find out what about Pilates is so great, and some easy tips to get the most out of your workout!\n\nHow did you get started doing Pilates? What initially drew you to it? What made you want to teach?\n\n I discovered Pilates while working in sales at a local gym. I tried the mat class and was floored to discover that I wasn't very good but felt I should be! I loved that it combined strength AND flexibility (something I had very little of) and it was mentally challenging in ways I never thought ercise could be. It changed my body and mind in a matter of months. I realized immediately that I wanted to know everything I could about Pilates and was sent directly to the Grand Dame of Pilates, Romana Kryzanowska. After two years of daily study and teaching under Romana I felt I was ready to try my wings. I still studied with Romana every week for 10 years to make sure I was staying true to the work. I've never regretted a single day.\n\nWhat was the most important thing Joseph Pilates hoped his students would take away from the practice? Was it something physical or mental? Do you feel the same way?\n\n The most important thing to Pilates was that people take personal responsibility for their own well being. Believing in your own innate ability to succeed is the key to changing body and mind. Joseph Pilates believed that \"the will controls the body\" and that the balance of the physical, mental and spiritual led to more enjoyment of life. I couldn't agree more!\n\nWhat is the number one thing you want your students to keep in mind as they're practicing?\n\n Focus! An exceedingly high level of concentration is necessary to master the Pilates method and it also builds the ability to focus for longer, which is helpful in all other areas of our lives. Eventually, Pilates becomes second nature and your mind reigns over a body that moves with inherent grace and ease.\n\nWhat tips do you have for young women who are first getting interested in Pilates? Is there something that beginners often get wrong?\n\n The only tips I would offer to young women is to find an authentically certified teacher (one who has direct lineage to Romana &amp;amp; Joe - www.classicalpilates.net) and not to wait! The Pilates philosophies can't be learned too soon. Pilates is not simply about having a long, lean body, it is a methodology of sound body dynamics. How you stand, sit, walk and breathe are all affected by Pilates and there is no more positive system of ercise to help keep you looking and feeling great.\n\nDid you always know you wanted to work in fitness?\n\n Fitness had always been a 'hobby' of sorts. Even though I always felt great about working out I never dreamed I would actually count fitness as my profession. I am the youngest of six and all my siblings were athletic. My father was a world-class track and field star and my mom was handicapped. I got to experience the strengths and weaknesses of the body in a very intimate way and it shaped my desire to stay in the field. Ultimately, I fell in love with Pilates and am forever grateful for my choice!\n\nWhat advice do you have for young girls who want to follow a similar path to yours?\n\n Use what you do as a means of expression! Let your work be who you are. If you love what you do it'll never be \"work\". I never planned a step of my career; I simply followed what I loved to do.\n\nBesides ercise, what are the most important things young women can do to stay healthy?\n\nEating healthy! Organic. Free-range. What you put in you shapes you on so many levels, so make wise choices. (one of my resources is www.lyonlifestyle.com)Travel! Taking time to explore the world around you is such an important step in knowing more about yourself. I traveled the globe as a teenager, and into my twenties, and learned to appreciate everything I had at home.You time! Make sure to set time aside everyday to sit, write, sing, breathe, whatever allows you to know yourself better. No one should ever be a better friend to you than YOU! So learn to love yourself and enjoy all that that brings."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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