190 Christopher Columbus Drive Unit 5A
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Celebrating 19 years!
Please note, the "Intro to Equipment" class is a prerequisite for all Beginner level classes.
Remember to bring socks. We recommend non-slip socks for your safety.
Our studio will open 5 minutes before class starts, please plan to arrive on time, as late arrivals may not be allowed in if they are more than 5 minutes late.
We look forward to seeing you!
What Is Pilates?
Why It’s More Than Just a Workout
When most people think of Pilates, they picture graceful movements on a reformer or a mat class filled with core exercises. But Pilates is far more than just a fitness trend it’s a system of mindful movement that connects strength, alignment, breath, and focus to create lasting change in how your body moves and feels. Whether you’re new to the method or returning after time away, understanding what Pilates truly is and why it’s so transformative can help you approach each session with greater purpose.
The Origins of Pilates
Pilates was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who called his method Contrology. His goal was to help people build strength and flexibility through controlled, precise movement. integrating body and mind. Originally used for rehabilitation and conditioning, Pilates has evolved into a widely practiced discipline across fitness, dance, and rehabilitation settings. Despite its modern variations, the method still centers on six key principles:
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Control
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Concentration
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Centering
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Precision
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Flow
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Breath
These principles guide every movement, helping practitioners develop balanced strength, coordination, and body awareness.
What Makes Pilates Different?
Unlike high-impact workouts that focus on repetition or endurance, Pilates emphasizes quality over quantity. Each movement is deliberate and supported by the deep stabilizing muscles of the core.
This approach offers a wide range of benefits:
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Improved posture and alignment
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Stronger core and back muscles
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Increased flexibility and mobility
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Better balance and coordination
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Reduced stress and mental tension
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Enhanced body awareness and control
Pilates is designed to meet the body where it is. Exercises can be modified for beginners or intensified for advanced practitioners, making it truly accessible to everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience.
Equipment and Styles: Reformer, Tower, and Mat
One of the unique aspects of Pilates is its variety of apparatus. While Mat Pilates uses your body weight for resistance, Reformer, Tower and Chair classes use spring-based equipment to add support or challenge, depending on your goals.
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Mat Pilates: Focuses on core control, stability, and bodyweight movement.
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Reformer Pilates: Uses a sliding carriage, springs, and straps to create resistance and improve alignment.
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Tower Pilates: Combines springs, bars, and straps for a full-body workout emphasizing strength and flexibility.
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Chair Pilates: A seat, a foot pedal with springs, and often detachable handles. The Chair is versatile and adaptable.
Each format enhances the others and together, they help build a balanced, resilient body that moves efficiently both inside and outside the studio.
Mind-Body Connection
At its heart, Pilates is as much about mental focus as it is about physical conditioning. Every exercise requires concentration and breath control, training the mind to stay present. This mindful quality helps reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a deeper connection to your body’s movement patterns. Over time, many students notice that Pilates doesn’t just change how they move, it changes how they feel in daily life.
More Than Movement
Pilates isn’t just a way to strengthen muscles it’s a way to move through life with greater ease, confidence, and awareness. It teaches you to use your body efficiently, breathe fully, and find strength through balance. When practiced consistently, it supports every other aspect of wellness, from posture and performance to recovery and mental clarity.
Ready to Experience Pilates for Yourself?
Whether you’re looking to improve posture, recover from injury, or simply move with more strength and ease, Pilates can meet you where you are. At Project Pilates, our experienced instructors guide clients of all levels through Reformer, Tower, and Chair classes in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Ready to begin?
Try our Intro to Equipment Class and experience how Pilates can transform the way you move and feel, one mindful session at a time.