“Bi’lancia,” in Italian, means balance, equilibrium, and harmony, which is central to our philosophy. We strive to inspire our clients to find balance in their bodies through the Pilates Method, creating a strong foundation from which one can achieve new heights of physical fitness. Whether recovering from an injury, training for an athletic event, or wanting to get in shape, Bilancia Pilates Studio is committed to providing the Santa Ynez Valley community with the highest level of Pilates instruction in an unparalleled studio environment.

ABOUT PILATES

The Pilates Method is a powerful and effective physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. Originally called “Contrology,” Joe developed his series of movements with the philosophy that the mind controls the muscles, and that both must be exercised as a whole to achieve optimal health. The Ten Principles of Pilates, which offer a path to understanding are:

1. •Awareness
   

2. •Breath
   

3. •Balance
   

4. •Concentration
   

5. •Control
   

6. •Center
   

7. •Efficiency
   

8. •Flow
   

9. •Precision
   

10. •Harmony
    

The Pilates repertoire consists of over 600 exercises that are performed on the Mat, or on specialized equipment where springs and pulleys are utilized to create a resistance based workout. Pilates focuses on the body’s “Powerhouse,” which consists of the deepest muscles of the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and spine, to strengthen and tone the rest of the body from this core connection. If practiced consistently, benefits of Pilates include:

1. •A strong core, flat abdominals, and a healthy back
   

2. •A leaner, more toned body
   

3. •Improved flexibility, balance, and circulation
   

4. •Enhanced mobility, agility, and stamina
   

5. •Increased athletic performance, coordination, and range of motion
   

6. •Heightened body awareness and improved posture
   

Over time, the Pilates Method creates a strong foundation from which one can achieve new heights of physical fitness, and a more balanced wellbeing. Pilates is an extremely adaptable exercise system where modifications allow for individualized training from the most fundamental to advanced levels.