To provide a true whole life fitness experience, Mettler acknowledges the tremendous impact of mind-body activities such as yoga and Pilates. With this in mind, we have designed an all-inclusive approach to both disciplines including group fitness, personal training, and small group training.

Regardless of your experience, age, or fitness level, Mettler offers many different opportunities for you to experience change and improve your overall quality of life through yoga or Pilates.

Yoga

The word yoga means “to yolk or bind, often as in a union.” This union of the mind and body provides you with an opportunity to learn more about your body, discover new levels of fitness, build strength, and increase your flexibility. Yoga is more than just stretching, it is the connection of movements with the rhythm of your breath, drawing your attention inward.

Mettler offers a variety of yoga styles to accommodate all participants. Our main focus is to improve overall health through the physical postures of yoga rather than the spiritual aspect. This style of yoga is most commonly referred to as Hatha yoga. By promoting this style, yoga at the Mettler Center is truly for everyone regardless of age, fitness level, or ability.

Pilates

Nearly a century ago, Joseph Pilates developed a body conditioning technique designed to uniformly shape the entire body. This method is known as Pilates. The core, or “Powerhouse,” refers to the area of the torso between the lower ribs and hips, with an emphasis on the deepest layers of the abdomen. When the core is strong, it provides a stable foundation to stretch, strengthen, and tone muscles throughout the body. It also improves flexibility, posture, coordination, and balance, while reducing the risk of injury.

In a quest to maintain the integrity of the original Pilates while updating these exercises, a new and unique form of Pilates was born. This scientifically sound and safe form of Pilates was developed by the PhysicalMind® Institute. One of the world’s foremost authorities on Pilates, PhysicalMind® is the form the Mettler Center embraces and utilizes.

Benefits Of PhysicalMind Pilates:

• Balance strength and flexibility to create longer, leaner muscles
• Enhance overall muscular capacity
• Increase range of motion and flexibility
• Define and strengthen abdominal muscles
• Improve posture, coordination, balance, breathing, circulation, and body awareness
• Correct muscular imbalances, body aches and pains caused by routine activities, over training, and stress
• Reduce the risk of injury by learning to move efficiently, creating less structural stress on the body
• Decrease tension and fatigue, feel energized
• Non-impact exercises are adaptable and safe for any fitness level
• Boost performance in athletic and fitness activities, and quality of everyday life
• Quality instruction with trained professionals
• A choice of programs ranging from mat based group classes to private equipment based classes

On the mat, the body’s own weight is used to provide the resistance necessary to perform Pilates exercises. Mat work exercise offers a comprehensive and extremely effective full-body workout. In group classes, participants complete the same set of exercises simultaneously. Each person is encouraged to listen to their own body and to modify each movement to match their individual ability level. For specific class times, check out our group fitness schedule.

Yoga vs. Pilates

A Difference in Philosophy

The benefits of yoga and Pilates practices are extensive, with both equally important as part of a total fitness routine. But there are some significant differences between the two.

Yoga is mind-focused and is classified under flexibility, although it has elements of strength and even cardio at times. Pilates, on the other hand, is under the umbrella of strength, focusing on muscle conditioning, first and foremost.

Ultimately, both are excellent for muscular strength and flexibility, and both are extremely beneficial for most participants. The difference between the two lies in philosophy. Yoga focuses on how you feel, while Pilates concentrates on physical conditioning.

The best solution? Since no single type of exercise can give your body everything it needs, Mettler recommends a combination approach and an opportunity to discover what works best for you. We understand that each participant is different, so we will take the time to establish the most appropriate exercise program for you.

Service Options

Pilates Fundamentals Workshop

A 2-hour workshop, Pilates Fundamentals is designed to provide you with a foundation for safe and effective Pilates. This class is a prerequisite for entering our regular mat-based classes and will challenge even the most advanced participant. Through Pilates Fundamentals, you will learn exercise modifications, receive detailed and individual instruction, and discover the most effective ways to perform each exercise. Please see the Mettler University calendar for the class schedule.