By Joseph Bell
Instructors at the YMCA along N. Broad Street recently taught a Pilates class to the Ridgway Girl Scout group 270.
A group of over 10 scouts were instructed by Donna Kreckel and Judi Freedman.
According to Kreckel, who is a level two Pilates instructor, Pilates has been around for 100 years.
“It’s become real popular during the last decade,” Kreckel said.
Kreckel and Freedman, who is to earn her level two certification in June, began the lesson by teaching proper breathing techniques to the scouts.
According to Kreckel, with ‘powerhouse Pilates,’ the exercising and breathing are focused on the core muscles and these are the muscles that support the spine.
“It’s not a weight-loss program; it’s reshaping the muscles, mostly,” Kreckel said. “But it can help you stand straighter, too.”
The principals of Pilates include proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movement.
Kreckel said many people actually partake in Pilates exercises without even knowing it.
“I took dance and I was in gymnastics and we really were doing Pilates all the time,” Kreckel said. “I’m also trained in vertical Pilates and that looks a lot like ballet.”
From a dancer’s perspective, Pilates exercises can help create long lines, good posture and excellent muscle control.
However, Kreckel, who has been teaching Pilates at the YMCA for five years, said proper certification for Pilates is of extreme importance.
“You can hurt yourself if the teacher is not well-trained,” Kreckel said. “If anyone is interested in pursuing Pilates, whoever you’re with, make sure they’re certified.”
The certification process, which teaches an individual the anatomy aspect of Pilates, concludes with certification from the American Aerobic Association International & International Sports Medicine Association, also known as AAAI-ISMA.
Kreckel also said classes must be set up