Authentic Pilates | Live Life Moving

About the Pilates Method

What’s the difference between Classical and Contemporary Pilates?

Classical Pilates is the full-body system Joseph Pilates created:

👉 It uses all the equipment as it was designed—to support balance first, then gradually remove support to build true control and proprioceptive strength.

👉 It focuses on freeing the body, restoring natural movement, and learning how to move from your center.

Contemporary Pilates, as it has evolved today, has drifted toward:

Isolated drills trying to “fix” anatomy instead of restoring integrated movement
Higher intensity, more reps, less attention to posture and precision
Overloading large muscles and creating joint compression risks
Relying mainly on the Reformer (often used like a cable machine with added springs to make exercises “harder”)
Large group Reformer classes, which sacrifice individual attention for volume

Why does this matter at Live Life Moving?

Our clients are mostly adults over 50.

They aren’t looking for “harder.” They’re looking for smarter.

They want to:

Move freely again
Reduce stiffness and pain
Regain balance and confidence
Stay active without risking injury

That’s where Classical Pilates shines.

We don’t overwhelm your body—we unlock your body first, then intelligently layer in challenge once you’ve built control.

And unlike high-intensity trends, our sessions are always personalized, private, or small group only—because your body deserves individual attention.

Our Philosophy

We proudly say:

“Classical-Based, Functionally Informed, and Reframed for Adults 50+.”

The exercises haven’t changed—but the way we apply them is built specifically for you.

This is Pilates the way it was meant to be: to heal, strengthen, and last a lifetime.

More About the Pilates Method

"Contrology is the complete coordination of body, mind & spirit. Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit."

Joseph Pilates~Return to Life Through Contrology~

There is a common misconception that Pilates is simply core exercise and stretching. While these are important elements of the Pilates method, Joseph Pilates created a method of exercise that addresses all the necessary components of fitness and well-being, far ahead of his time!

The current top personal training certifying organizations such as A.C.E. (American Council of Exercise) and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) have developed systems that address the same aspects of fitness that Joseph Pilates addressed in the method he created in the early 20th century!

Joseph Pilates created exercises and equipment to specifically address the following:

Develop the Body UNIFORMLY - Exercise should balance the body by combining elements of stretch, strength, stamina and stability in every workout and exercises.
Correct Wrong Postures - the exercises and equipment used are brilliantly designed to address postural imbalances and increase spine health.
Improve Breathing - Each exercise helps facilitate improved breathing.
Invigorate and Engage the Mind - By teaching attention to precision of movement and control, the mind is engaged in movement which can help improve brain function, improve coordination and enhance body awareness.
Elevate the Spirit - Through practicing his method and mastering these techniques, we achieve, as he put it "a zest for life"!

Our Equipment

Authentic Pilates method training involves more than just the more popular Reformer. Each piece helps you undertand the method in a different way and addresses your individual needs. We offer classical based Pilates method training using the following equipment made by Gratz, Pilates by Design (Basil) and Peak Pilates: