"The attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind" was the goal of Joseph H. Pilates (1881-1967). This continues to be the aim of Equipoise, enlightened exercise, expanding and evolving Pilates' original work.

Equipoise enlightened exercise is a fully equipped private pilates studio near dowtown Portland. At Equipoise, we specialize in injury rehabilitation, pre and post operation strengthening, and comprehensive conditioning for dancers and skaters. Dr. Richard Gellman, orthopeodist, and Patti Koehler, PT, are official consultants to Equipoise.

What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise technique that strengthens the deep abdominal and postural muscles in the core of the body while simultaneously stretching, toning and lengthening the muscles of the limbs. The coordination of breath with movement improves stamina without cardiac stress. It requires both mental focus and physical awareness, both of which are taught as part of the technique.
Pilates will make you stronger, more flexible, leaner, and more coordinated. Pilates is challenging, fun, and rehabilitative.

Where is Pilates done?
Pilates is done in a pilates studio on various equipment using springs as resistance, or on a mat in a studio or at home. To see where “Equipoise” is located, click below.
At Equipoise all private and semi-private sessions are tailored to each individual client’s ability. They can be stress free and
non-impact, or require whole body, high performance coordination and power.

	Some of the benefits of pilates are:
	Flexibility Strength Better posture Coordination Kinetic awareness Balance Improved mood

Who Does Pilates?
You don’t have to be a serious athlete to do pilates. At Equipoise, I work with clients from the ages of eight to eighty-five. It is used widely by dancers and athletes to enhance performance, to return from injury, and to prevent injury. Ballet dancers, football players, skaters, golfers, and Cirque du Soleil performers are just some of the people who regularly train with pilates.

When is Pilates done?
Your own needs will determine the frequency. Pilates can be performed as often as daily, as your sole exercise mode, or as a supplement to other physical activities. You and your instructor create the optimal schedule for your needs. Pilates is also done as a therapeutic mode of exercise to rehabilitate from injury, surgery, or long hiatus from physical work.

How can Pilates help me?
Pilates can lessen to eradicate chronic pain in the following areas:
back, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet, hands, elbows, and neck.
Pilates helps rehabilitate after many kinds of surgeries, including abdominal, prostate, breast, knee, ankle, foot, hip, shoulder, spine surgery.