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Stott Pilates is one of the key methods of the
Pilates Pilates (; ) is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, after whom it was named. Pilates called his method "Contrology". Pilates uses a combination of around 50 repetitive e ...
physical exercise Exercise or workout is physical activity that enhances or maintains fitness and overall health. It is performed for various reasons, including weight loss or maintenance, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardio ...
that was developed in Toronto in 1980s. The most significant difference between Stott Pilates exercise and
Joseph Pilates Joseph Hubertus Pilates (9 December 1883 – 9 October 1967) was a German physical trainer, writer, and inventor. He is credited with inventing and promoting the Pilates method of physical fitness. He patented a total of 26 apparatuses in hi ...
's original method of the early 1900s is that Stott Pilates focused on having a
neutral spine Spinal posture is the position of the spine in the human body. It is debated what the optimal spinal posture is, and whether poor spinal posture causes lower back pain. Good spinal posture may help develop balance, strength and flexibility. Neutr ...
posture and generated a different sequence of exercises. Many Stott Pilates courses are CEC-approved and recognized by organizations like the American Council on Exercise (ACE).


History

Moira had been a
dancer Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
with the Bermuda Ballet, and principal dancer with the City Ballet of Toronto and the Atlantic Ballet Company, but had to retire when she was 24 due to chronic foot injuries stemming from her having broken her foot as a child. She was advised to explore Pilates by people at the
Dancer Transition Resource Centre Founded in 1985 by former ballerina Joysanne Sidimus, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC) is a Canadian charity that provides counselling and retraining grants to dancers making career transitions. In 2006, Joysanne Sidimus was awarded th ...
in Toronto, and she went to
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
to study with the American Pilates instructor Romana Kryzanowska, a disciple of the German physical trainer
Joseph Pilates Joseph Hubertus Pilates (9 December 1883 – 9 October 1967) was a German physical trainer, writer, and inventor. He is credited with inventing and promoting the Pilates method of physical fitness. He patented a total of 26 apparatuses in hi ...
. By that time she had met Lindsay Merrithew, who was working in New York at the time. Lindsay received his business degree from Dalhousie University and then went on train as an actor at The Juilliard School in the drama department, Group 14. In her own Pilates training and work, Moira found that there was not emphasis on establishing and strengthening a
neutral spine Spinal posture is the position of the spine in the human body. It is debated what the optimal spinal posture is, and whether poor spinal posture causes lower back pain. Good spinal posture may help develop balance, strength and flexibility. Neutr ...
posture, and also found that traditional Pilates didn't follow the sequence of exercises that had evolved in the field of dance, and she developed a version of Pilates that came to carry her maiden name as its brand. The two of them moved back to Toronto in 1987, and in 1988 they opened a Pilates studio in their apartment and worked other jobs to make ends meet. Their business received a celebrity boost when
Karen Kain Karen Alexandria Kain (born March 28, 1951) is a Canadian former ballet dancer and was the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada from 2005 to 2021. Early training and childhood Kain's mother enrolled her daughter in ballet trainin ...
, a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada started to take classes in their apartment; they managed to get the press to cover this, with Kain's help, and the business began to grow, allowing them to move to a studio. Lindsay had secured a small research grant from the National Research Council which allowed for their first patented aluminum Reformer to be built and tested for commercial use. As the company developed, in general Moira handled the training and program development, and Lindsay developed their proprietary line of equipment and also handled the business matters along with the sales and marketing. For an instructor or instructor trainer to maintain Stott Pilates certification, he or she must attend a minimum number of courses and workshops each year; thereby keeping current with the method. Many Stott Pilates courses and workshops are part of the Continuing Education Credit (CEC) programme, and many of them are also recognized by outside organizations, including the American Council on Exercise (ACE). In the mid-1990s, the company started to publish videos and DVDs of most of its programs, and in several languages.


Technique

Stott Pilates differs from classical Pilates by integrating exercise science, fascial fitness, and spinal rehabilitation principles. It is used for fitness, rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation, and by specific groups such as prenatal individuals and athletes. Classes start with a warm-up to align the body and reduce neck and back tension, often using tools like stability balls, foam rollers, and BOSU balls for balance training. Unlike classical Pilates, which flattens the lower spine, Stott Pilates maintains its natural curve. The method emphasizes core stability, neuromuscular performance, and a balance of strength and flexibility through five key principles: proper breathing, pelvic stabilization, rib cage alignment, scapular movement, and correct head and cervical spine positioning to prevent tension and strain.


References

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